He wasn’t dropping his investigation of Warner Lane. He owed as much to his dad.

Jack pulled his tape recorder from his pocket and checked to make sure it was rewound and ready to record. The back door of the auditorium swung open and Warner Lane’s entourage made their exit to the waiting cars. First the Secret Service agents, then the handlers, and finally the candidate.

Jack found himself face to face with Warner Lane.

Immediately, one of Warner’s top aides stepped between them. The handlers held up their hands to say they were not allowing any questions.

A female reporter managed to sidestep next to Lane. “Senator, you’re promising a renewed war on drugs and a tax break for all Americans. But do you really think it’s possible to do all of that in one term?”

Warner Lane stopped. “I don’t intend to do it all alone.”

“Please explain.”

“With my wife by my side leading one attack while I lead the other, we’ll accomplish all of that and more.”

“So. Mrs. Lane is a large part of your campaign?”

“No. She’s a large part of my life.”

“Senator Lane, tell us about your affiliation with Mort Fields and Winston Cain?” Jack shouted.

Warner’s head snapped around, his gaze locking with Jack’s.

“Have you hired Winston Cain’s agency?” Jack saw Warner’s jaw clench.

“Who’s Winston Cain?” another reporter yelled.

Warner flashed a grin. “You’ll have to ask Mr. Rudly. I have no idea.”

Quickly. Matt Carson wrapped his arm over Warner’s shoulders and pulled him into the limousine.

Associated Press

March 28, 2000

Lane Nails Down Nomination

SACRAMENTO – Warner Hamilton Lane secured the party nomination yesterday by taking California’s 165 delegates. The win came as no surprise to campaign officials, who predicted the landslide after Lane swept the Great Lake states on March 21. Sources close to the candidate say that Senator Lane is now looking forward to the convention and to squaring off against President Washman.

“I don’t care what it takes. Warner, shut her down. We made a deal. I got you Governor Hick’s endorsement, and I expect you to hold up your end of our bargain.” Richard Young slammed the phone into its cradle and reached for the Tums. Damn. Carolyn’s escapades were destroying his digestive tract. And he had to keep Warner in line. Warner was the key to his success. He rubbed his stomach.

The aggravation was worth it, though, he thought with a smile. These little episodes served a purpose. They kept Warner off balance and caused further estrangement between him and Carolyn. They weren’t problems: they were opportunities. Young reminded himself. Opportunities to shift the balance of power to himself. Richard knew how to exploit the exercise. If he shut off his support of Warner, Warner’s campaign would deflate like a punctured balloon.

Richard gazed out the window of his senatorial office in Washington. D.C. Sitting back, he interlocked his fingers on his stomach. If only he’d known how quickly his son was going to recover, he’d never have dropped out of the primaries. The presidential nomination would have been his. Fucking doctors. They always painted the worst scenario to make themselves look like heroes.

He closed his eyes, visualizing the vice-presidency and beyond. He’d simply adjust his strategy. By the time the election came, Warner would be convinced he couldn’t function without him. Carefully he plotted to make himself indispensable to Warner and ingratiate himself with Carolyn. Considering the friction between them, the challenge lay in showing loyalty to one without revealing dedication to the other.

An interesting match, Richard reflected. A loveless marriage brought together by one man. Edmund Lane, and held together by one cause, the White House. He’d done his homework and realized that Warner and Carolyn’s estrangement was to his benefit. They were both damaged goods, yet possessed the skills to present themselves as the perfect couple.

They had to get elected! Nothing was going to stop that process. Nothing.

Carolyn’s insistence that she be the vice presidential running mate could not be tolerated. Warner would act, or he would call upon the Council. The deal was done and Richard intended to hold them to it. He was the vice presidential candidate. This was his shot at power, real power, and he would win.

Warner hung up the phone, Richard’s angry voice still ringing in his ears. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his fists. A cluster of pain pounded behind his eyes. Damn Carolyn! Her insistence on running as the V.P. had thoroughly pissed off Richard, and they couldn’t afford to lose his support. Unfortunately, Carolyn had no idea that Richard was even a factor, nor could she be allowed to find out.

But, Warner thought, Richard needed to understand that she had to be handled carefully. Her national profile was too strong. The safest way for them to deal with her was to make her candidacy someone else’s concern. Nick was the perfect messenger.

Warner pressed a button on the intercom. “Call Stan Braunson, and get him in here pronto,” he said to his assistant.

Ten minutes later the campaign pollster stood in the doorway of Warner’s office. “Stan, hi. We need some information. I want a current read on the public’s perception of Carolyn’s reform ideas and my economic policy. See how it compares to President Washman’s policies and try to pinpoint the areas where people are most dissatisfied with Washman.”

Stan looked surprised. “Nick and I have already discussed this. I suggested we do a dial group.”

“Run that by me again.”

“It’s a group of people who represent a cross-section of the population. They each hold a dial while being exposed to various information on video. When they like something they turn the dial up, and when they don’t they turn the dial down. The information is compiled and broken down into age, gender and race. It can be pretty specific.”

“Can we do it quickly? I want the information now.” Warner realized he’d stepped into the consultants’ territory, but he didn’t care.

“Sure. Nick already has me on it.”

“Right out of the starting block, I want to hit these areas hard.” Warner stood and leaning across his desk, handed Stan a handwritten list. “And run some potential running mates by these guinea pigs. Include Carolyn. Let’s see what the feedback shows.”

“Nick’s already approached me.” Stan said. “He wants numbers on Richard Young.”

“Good.” Smart man, Warner thought. Nick knew where victory lay.

“Oh, and Stan, I want to see the numbers first. Give me the original papers, and don’t make copies. Understood?”

Stan shrugged. “Am I to assume this conversation never happened?”

“You know how to stay employed.”

“I’ll get right on it.”

“Get the numbers to me as soon as possible, but be thorough,” Warner ordered.

“I can have results to you-” Stan started to say over his shoulder.

“How about Wednesday at two o’clock?” It was a directive. Warner moved past Stan and headed in the direction of the conference room. The daily two o’clock meeting was about to begin.

Warner’s political savvy told him that he couldn’t afford to anger Carolyn. She was too strong and too popular. He’d have to manipulate her carefully. Warner knew that maintaining Carolyn’s loyalty and support could make the difference between winning and losing.

Warner was the first to take his seat for the dissection of the dial group data. Carolyn was absent, speaking at a Women In Politics caucus. Preliminary numbers showed the Lane economic policy as well received, and Carolyn’s war on drugs as their strongest suit. President Washman’s foreign policy stance remained his best asset.