Director's Cut (36 page)

“I'm not going to give a speech this evening. You know where I stand and what I hope to achieve. I do, however, have an announcement to make—a surprising announcement.” I looked at Nat, and she returned a worried expression.

I continued. “When someone like me runs for office, we make a lot of promises. We talk a great deal about what we're
going
to do once elected. Tonight, I wish to do more than talk. Recently Santa Rita suffered from a type of vandalism that led to a child being hit by a car. His name is Byron Slater. He's doing better now, but has a very long road ahead of him, including a year or so of therapy.”

I paused and looked around. “I'm not going to sing you a sad song. There's a law on the books that prohibits me from singing in public.” I took a breath and wished I had spoken to Nat about this first, but I was afraid I would change my mind. “Since choosing to run for congress I have given speeches about our growing health care crisis. Little Byron Slater's family is a victim of the crisis. They have no insurance. Dr. Thomas and I have worked with the hospital and social groups to help them as much as possible, but when the final tally is made they will still be far short of the goal. In a nutshell, this accident will break them financially.

“So here's the big news. The money from this fund-raiser tonight will go not to my campaign but to the Slater family. That means less direct marketing and fewer radio ads. I don't know how it will affect the election. I believe word of mouth is the best way to promote anything. I still need and depend upon your vote. Now, should any of you be bothered by this, please know that your contribution will be refunded to you—less the price of tonight's dinner, of course.”

Thankfully, there was another wave of laughter.

I sat down. The loud conversation of ten minutes before settled into a soft murmur, then a man stood. I recognized him as the vice president of one of our local banks. “Excuse me, Madam Mayor. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Since the money given here tonight isn't going to your campaign coffers, then there is no legal limit to what we can give. Is that correct?”

I looked at Nat and she at me. She nodded.

“That's right.”

He smiled and pulled his checkbook from his pocket. “That's good to hear.”

Suddenly there was applause and that same pesky dust got in my eyes. I turned to Nat. “Hate me?”

“I'm trying to, but you make it so hard.” She gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Who knows? You might win anyway.”

After dessert and while coffee was being served, Catherine, who had been sitting next to Jerry, stepped to a podium and began to speak. She spoke of the need for character in every walk of life, then told stories about her experiences on Broadway and in Hollywood. It turns out she is very funny.

“I'll bet you're wondering if she ate any dinner tonight?” Jerry said. “She didn't.”

“Don't let him pull your leg, Maddy,” Nat said. “She has an issue or two to deal with. Mostly, she doesn't like to eat in public. She ate before she came.”

“Not OCD?”

Jerry answered. “No. More a social paranoia. I've encouraged her to talk about it. Once she gets settled in, I think she will. Since Buchanan's arrest has put a hold on the movie, she is free to finish the full run of the play. She seems happy about that.”

I watched as people visited and wrote checks. Many came by to express concerns for my health and their commitment to vote for me. I thanked each one but was glad to see the party wind down. I was exhausted and ready for my own bed.

Jerry put his arm around me. Catherine leaned forward to look around him. Nat turned my way. Something was up.

“That was a very noble thing for you to do,” he said. “I don't know if you'll win or lose next month but I plan to cast my vote for you. But you probably already knew that. What you may not know is that I'm going to ask you to vote for me.”

“Vote for you?”

“That's right, Madam Mayor.”

“What election are you in?”

“One that requires only one vote to win. In fact, it just so happens that I have a voting booth right here.” He reached in his suit coat pocket and pulled out a small black box. He opened it. A diamond ring looked me in the eye. A small, white silk banner was sewn into the top of the box. It read, VOTE FOR JERRY.

I took the ring from the box, slipped it on my left hand, and cast a different kind of vote.

Politics Is Rough—for Madison Glenn It's Deadly

The Incumbent

Madison “Maddy” Glenn is the controversial mayor of the beautiful tourist town of Santa Rita, California. Lisa Truccoli, her friend and treasurer of her last campaign, has been abducted. The only thing left at the scene of the crime is a shocking clue—a clue with Maddy's name on it. And the game begins. She embarks on a desperate hunt for answers, finding more shocking clues in a dangerous game the abductor wants to play—with Maddy.

Softcover: 0-310-24958-9

When Nighttime Radio Becomes Daytime Danger,
Mayor Madison Glenn Must Act

Before Another Dies

Running the coastal city of Santa Rita. Campaigning for a congressional seat. Staying one step ahead of a high-powered corporate broker's demands. Life couldn't get more difficult for Mayor Maddy Glenn—or so she thinks.

For Maddy, the search for answers about three murders is about to become personal. Refusing to play it safe, Maddy is caught in a lethal game in which seconds is caught in a lethal game in which seconds count. But even her renowned grit and tenacity—and her emerging faith—may not be enough to prevent more brutal deaths.

Softcover: 0-310-25935-5

A Ship Possessed

The
USS Triggerfish
has returned, but she has not returned alone. Something is inside her—something unexpected and terrible. To J. D. Stanton, retired Navy captain and historian, falls the task of solving the mystery surrounding a ship possessed. What he is about to encounter will challenge his training, his wits, and his faith.

Softcover: 0-310-21944-2

Vanished

High-level Pentagon orders call J. D. Stanton, retired navy captain, back to active duty to investigate a town gone missing. Food still on dinner plates, gas nozzles still in the fuel ports of cars at the filling station . . . Whatever happened took the people of
Roanoke II
completely by surprise. But took them where? Stanton faces a choice that will stretch his Christian faith to the limits. It could supply answers to the mystery of
Roanoke II
. . . Or unfathomable and irrevocable horrors.

Softcover: 0-310-22003-3

Out of Time

It starts as a trip to help five troubled teens, courtesy of a new Navy youth program. With retired submarine commander J. D. Stanton serving as captain and two young naval officers heading the expedition, the state-of-the-art catamaran leaves port. It's a routine voyage . . . until a mysterious storm pulls Stanton and his crew into an eerie world of swirling mist and silence.

Softcover: 0-310-24959-7

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