“The reporter didn’t leave his name.” Matt said. “We have no way of contacting him.”

“What are you telling me? How could you not get his name?” Carolyn cried. “This can’t be happening!”

“He refused to identify himself. I knew the Secret Service would have the line tapped, so I didn’t worry about it.”

“Call security. They can trace it,” Carolyn said.

“We already did. It was a pay phone in St. Louis.”

“That certainly narrows it down.” Carolyn didn’t care that she sounded sarcastic.

“Not really. The reporter could be from anywhere.”

“Think, damn it! Didn’t he give you any clues?”

“Not one clue. I’ve gone over the whole conversation, but I didn’t recognize his voice.” Nick said. “He outlined his scoop. I went into some details of what would happen if he followed through, and then he hung up.”

Warner rose. “I need a drink,” he said to no one in particular. As he left the room he flipped open his mobile phone.

Carolyn registered his departure, but didn’t follow him. First, she had to find a way to save them from the disaster that loomed over their campaign. “I need to speak privately with Nick, so will you all excuse us for now?” she asked quietly.

A subdued group of advisors departed the room.

Carolyn took a deep breath and calmed herself. Less than twenty-four hours to victory. They had to stop this – no matter what. “Call Mark Dailey. You and he coordinate the investigators. I want every one of them acting on this tonight and I don’t care what we have to do to stop this train wreck from happening. Now, please.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Nick promised.

“I know you will.” she said softly. “Make sure Richard is thoroughly briefed. He needs to know what’s going on. He should have been called immediately.”

“It was an oversight,” Nick said.

“Don’t let it happen again.”

Nick nodded.

Warner made a confidential emergency call for help to Edmund. The resources of the Council reached far into the press. The source of the threat boiled down to a handful of major news organizations. The independent newspapers would be too small to make an impact before the electorate cast their ballots. After Cain’s forces were deployed there was nothing more anyone could do, except wait until the newspapers came out in the morning.

Each time zone meant big newspaper releases, starting with the east coast. As soon as the latest edition arrived, Nick and Matt searched for the incriminating story. They found nothing. Finally, morning dawned in Missouri. None of them had slept. When the local papers came off the press, there still was no sign of the threatened exposé.

“Just a few more hours,” Nick said. “Then we’re in the clear.”

Carolyn paced the room, glancing at the clock every few minutes, willing the hands to move forward.

At seven-forty-five A.M… Carolyn appeared in a red Donna Karan dress, and Warner wore a midnight blue, double-breasted Armani suit with a white shirt and a navy-and-red striped tie. Clasping hands, holding their heads high, confident smiles secure, they walked down their front porch steps and out to the limousine that would take them to their assigned polling place. They would be the first to cast their ballots in Missouri.

People lined the sidewalk, and camera strobes flashed as they left their car and strode over to the rope line for a few handshakes with other voters before walking into the building to vote. Carolyn walked a few steps behind Warner, bracing herself for possible questions.

The room was silent.

Nick replaced the receiver. “That’s it.”

Carolyn was the first to speak. “Are you sure?”

She could barely breathe.

“Positive.” he said. “Ohio put us over the top!”

“Oh, my God,” Carolyn said. Tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Oh, my God! We won! WARNER, WE WON!”

Everyone erupted into cheering and congratulations.

Warner leapt out of his chair, swept Carolyn into his arms, and twirled her around the room.

Richard Young grasped his wife’s hand and simply smiled.

Associated Press

November 7, 2000

Warner Hamilton Lane, 44th President

Warner took his place at the head of a walnut conference table in a meeting room at the Ritz Carlton in Washington. D.C. Assembled at the table with him were Carolyn, Matt Carson, Ernie Weiland, Nick Creed and Richard Young.

“The first area of business is getting together a short-list for the Cabinet,” Warner announced. Weeks ago, he’d reviewed his selections with Edmund. With the markers they’d called in during the campaign, he had a list of favors to repay.

“I want to start promoting names in the press to build popularity and get these appointments accepted. Nick, start writing. Let’s make a short-list of each of the candidates for every position. We’ll start with Sectary of State. My first recommendation would be Jack McPherson.” Warner said. “Any other recommendations?‘’

“He’s from Missouri, right?” Richard Young asked.

“Yes. He’s an exec with Bounce Plastics, but he’s had a lot of international experience.”

“Still, I think Sectary of State should be a Washington insider.”

“Thanks for your input.” Warner said, deliberately cutting off Young. Now that he was president, Richard needed to learn his place. He continued on to the other Cabinet posts, then on to the White House staff.

“What about Mark Dailey?” Young asked. “I thought you were considering him for a Cabinet position.”

Warner turned to him. “I said no such thing. Mark will be named as a White House advisor.” He didn’t care if Mark was part of the Council. He wasn’t going to be bullied by Richard.

“I think there’s a problem with that.” Richard said.

“Listen to Richard, Warner,” Carolyn said. “He’s got the inside track.”

“If I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it,” Warner said to her.

Carolyn glanced around the room. “Forgive me, but I thought this was a meeting, you know, a gathering where ideas are to be shared. So far, you’ve done nothing but shut Richard down.”

Warner ignored her commentary. He felt presidential for the very first time. And he liked the feeling.

Carolyn stood to leave. “Obviously, I’m not needed here.”

Richard Young glanced at her apologetically. “Warner, I’m concerned that none of these people know the inner workings of Washington,” he said.

Warner crossed his arms over his chest. “Outsiders, with lower public profiles, will be less controversial. Strategically, we need to show a strong command, and having our selections questioned or opposed would indicate weakness. This is our safest and most powerful avenue. Besides, we’ve got Washington handled with you and Nick. You’ve both been on the Hill long enough. Not that I need to explain myself to you.”

“Shouldn’t we discuss these choices?” Richard asked with barely controlled anger.

“No,” Warner replied. “I know what I want.”

“I thought we’d work together on this.”

“You thought wrong.” Warner pushed back from the table, stood and walked out, leaving the vice president-elect sitting at the table alone.

Frozen in anger, Richard stared at the wood grain in the walnut conference table. He knew that Edmund had directed every name on the short list for Cabinet appointments; most were his close allies. The interviews were going to be a formality. None of the selections were Richard’s; he would have no power in the White House. He’d been well and truly fucked, and he hadn’t even seen it coming.