Without preamble or a fancy introduction, the hometown boy, Warner Hamilton Lane, strode onto a small stage in the town square of Medina, Ohio and greeted the masses like a rock star at a conceit. “Good evening, Medina!”

A roar went up from the crowd, which was packed for a three-block radius.

Upturned faces carpeted Warner’s field of vision. “I love this town-” he stalled, only to be interrupted by another roar. “Medina is an example of the United States at its best. A beautiful town full of hard working, law abiding citizens. Citizens who raise America’s future leaders. I grew up in a town like this, a town where you could walk the sheets at night without concern. But times have changed. Thieves, gangs, and drug dealers lurk in the shadows of America’s finest communities. Well. I say. ‘enough!’ It’s time to take back our neighborhoods. It’s time to take back our lives – our freedom. And I’m ready to lead that fight!”

The crowd cheered.

Richard and his wife, Dixie, joined Warner on stage. Warner shook Richard’s hand and hugged Dixie. Like a tag team member, Richard picked up the speech where Warn rt left off. “We must direct our energy to fight those who cut funding for our police forces, the programs for our youth, and those who cater to the underworld with soft prison sentences and lenient laws…”

Their remarks, which focused on their dream for America, their goals, and their plans for attaining them, continued for forty-five minutes. Technically, the speech should have lasted thirty minutes, but breaks for applause and chanting stretched the time.

Then Warner joined in. “Now, please let me have the honor of introducing the real headliner for the evening. Our very own one woman war on drugs, my partner, my wife – Carolyn Alden Lane.”

Carolyn walked onto the stage and the crowd went wild. Three minutes later, she was finally able to speak over the din. “Ladies and gentlemen,” she said as she pointed at the crowd. “You are the heartbeat of America. You are the people who matter most. And you are why we are here today!”

Again the crowd began to cheer.

“We have a dream for a drug-free America, where children flourish, no one lives in fear or hunger, and families thrive. But as simple as this sounds, it’s far more difficult to accomplish.” Carolyn made eye contact with several people in the crowd below her. “The battle begins right here, in hometowns across America, where we come together to fight against drugs and crime. I’ve joined this battle, Warner has picked up the challenge, and we need you to finish the war. We can be victorious, we can hand America back to her law-abiding citizens – but it starts with your vote!”

The crowd roared its approval and began chanting, “Lane in 2000.”

Warner, Richard, and Dixie stepped forward. They linked hands with Carolyn and raised them high in the air.

We’ve done it!“ Stan Benson stood in the doorway of the hotel room in Hutchinson. Kansas. ”We’ve pulled ahead of Washman in the polls, and our numbers are glowing.“

A cheer went up in the room.

Richard Young pulled Carolyn aside. “I have to compliment you,” he said as he took her hand. “Your war on drugs platform is our strongest asset.” His eyes searched hers.

“Thank you,” Carolyn said as she met his gaze. Now that she’d gotten to know him, she realized he wasn’t at all as she had expected. Although he could be strong when necessary, she sensed a vulnerability in him, a sensitivity.

“You’ve sot to have some of the highest approval ratings of any woman in American history,” he said.

Carolyn blushed under his scrutiny. His compliment felt good.

He smiled.

She’d never paid attention to his dimples before. He was handsome, she thought, and like Warner, the female constituency loved him.

He still held her hand in a warm but gentle grip. “I wasn’t sure about our relationship in the beginning of the campaign,” he continued. “But I hope we can be friends. I truly do admire you, and I think we make a great team.”

Carolyn leached up and kissed his cheek. “We’re already friends.”

She heard a cork pop in the background.

“Champagne all around” Braunson said.

A shiver of excitement skittered down Carolyn’s spine. The pendulum had swung in their favor. They just needed to keep their balance and maintain momentum.

On election eve, the culmination of years of hard work ended. At eleven-fifteen in the evening, activity eddied around campaign headquarters as the exhausted staff returned to Jefferson City to give one final push, and to watch Warner and Carolyn cast their votes the next morning.

“It’s almost over,” Matt said, slapping Nick on the shoulder. “I just want you to know that win, lose, or draw, I’ve enjoyed working with you.”

Nick extended his hand. “I’ll only agree to a win, but the feeling is mutual.”

“The polls are looking strong.”

Nick shrugged.

A phone rang in the background.

“That’s mine.” Nick rushed into his office. “Creed” he said. A moment later, the color in his face drained. “You rotten son of a bitch. You do that and I’ll personally hunt you down and shoot you.”

Matt turned when he heard the uncharacteristic fury in Nick’s voice.

“You go public with that bunch of crap and I promise – and I mean promise – you won’t live to cash the check.” Nick slammed his door shut, but his raised voice remained audible.

He emerged a short while later, his muddy-gray gaze as hard as cast iron. “Call Carolyn and tell her we’ve got a problem,” he said to Matt. “Have her meet us in the Situation Room as soon as possible. You come too, Matt. Get Ernie and call Warner.” He grabbed his car keys for the short drive to the Lane residence. “Son of a bitch, it’s eleven-thirty. Only a half an hour to Election Day. Why now?”

“What’s going on? We’re all supposed to be resting up for tomorrow.” Carolyn had been last to arrive at the Situation Room. Her face was scrubbed clean and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She looked fresh, calm, exhilarated.

“Nick received a phone call from a reporter who told him that Warner has an illegitimate child and that they’re going public with the information in tomorrow’s early edition.” Matt said.

Warner paled. “That’s not true.”

Ernie grasped Warner’s arm.

“You have a child?” Carolyn asked her voice barely above a whisper.

“I swear it’s not true.”

“You bastard.” She slapped him across the face. The smack reverberated through the room.

Warner touched the welt glowing on his cheek. “Carolyn, I don’t-”

She turned her back on his protests, afraid that if she even looked at him, she’d lose control. They were so close she could smell the scent of Washington’s cherry blossoms. Why now? The words echoed through her mind. After all of their hard work, why now?

“Where’s Richard?” she asked.

“We haven’t called him.” Matt said.

“He’s part of this team.” she said. “Get him on the line and update him.”

Ernie moved into the hallway with his cell phone.

“The reporter told me that they know who the mother is and the child’s name.” Nick said. “They located them in St. Louis.”

“But it’s not true! She’s lying-”

Carolyn spun to face Warner. “If you kept your dick in your pants this wouldn’t be an issue. Do you have her phone number?”

Warner nodded.

She turned back to Nick. “Call her. Pay her off.” Carolyn glared at Warner, “The poor woman probably needs the money. And make sure the child’s well cared for.” She paused. “Then, get to the reporter. I don’t care what you have to do or say. This cannot happen. An accusation like this will destroy us. If it comes out in the morning, we won’t have time to react.”