but didn’t include a copy of the document. Jack seriously doubted one existed. Cain didn’t make the types of agreements that one put a pen to and signed.
The rest of the papers were copies of legal forms indicating that Carolyn Lane might have done some work for Fields. The documents appeared to be from some sort of corporation or holding company, but the names of the stockholders were not disclosed. Since the papers weren’t the originals, it was hard to know if they were valid.
Why would Mort Fields turn over this information? Jack wondered. The whole scenario was odd. It made no sense for Carolyn to be involved in any contracts with Mort; she was a prosecutor, not a corporate attorney. At the bottom of the last page of notes was one handwritten word-
Jack knew that his father’s last appointment in Missouri had been with Carolyn Lane. This too, was odd. Threads, Jack thought, these were just threads of information and certainly not enough to weave together any type of a conclusion.
The kitchen wall clock read 8:03. A realtor was due to look at the house around eighty-thirty, and Jack needed a shower. He shoved the papers back into the envelope. He had a lot to do right now, and none of it pertained to local politics. The Lanes would have to wait.
TWENTY-FIVE
Warner Hamilton Lane escorted Carolyn through the lobby of the hotel closest to campaign headquarters. Together they started up the flight of stairs that led to the mezzanine level, then stopped on the sixth stair, turned, and waved to the crowd. Carolyn raised their clasped hands high in the air as a cheer went up from the crowd.
This was the way it was meant to be, Warner thought. Carolyn was dressed in a sea foam green suit with cream trim, and her honey colored hair flowed gracefully around her shoulders. She caught his appraisal, and her eyes locked with his. Warner squeezed her hand, then shifted his gaze back to the crowd, but his thoughts remained on her.
Indeed she was beautiful, and win or lose, she had orchestrated his reelection campaign brilliantly. Carolyn had designed every aspect of their strategy, from policy making and critical timing, to personal appearances and commercials. She’d even given up her role as a prosecutor. Granted, he’d joined the Council, but they were in the background, and he couldn’t discount her efforts. If he won, it was her victory.
His smile remained fixed, but he felt a bittersweet twinge in his heart. A victory would mean the necessary step closer to the White House. With Bill Rudly’s death he’d be the senior senator, positioning him perfectly. But it would also lock him permanently into a loveless marriage. He wished he could change his feelings for Carolyn, but that wasn’t possible.
Warner followed Carolyn as she made her way up the rest of the stairs to the mezzanine, where they headed into the elevator. Deja vu, Warner thought. Six years earlier he’d made this ride to the very same suite to watch the election results come in. The difference then had been that Carolyn wasn’t by his side. Now, her presence dominated the campaign. And her popularity was undeniable. Had she made a profound difference? He was about to find out.
The Jefferson City Democrat
November 9,1996
Lane Re-Elected to the U.S. Senate
TWENTY-SIX
Carolyn inspected their new home in the gated community she loved so much. She surveyed the paint job in every room on the first floor, then headed upstairs to look at the master bedroom.
Carolyn flopped onto the bed, pulled an afghan over her legs, and closed her eyes. She controlled the urge to jump up and down on the mattress in delight, and contented herself with the pleasure of lying quietly and savoring their victory. They’d done it on their own, without Warner’s father. She filled her lungs, then exhaled slowly.
Now Warner was the
She reflected on Warner, aware that his behavior toward her had improved. Even if she no longer had his love, she knew that she’d regained his respect and appreciation.
Now, he held the most powerful senatorial seat in Missouri. Because of their teamwork, he was on the track to the White House.
Working as a prosecutor, she had fought for justice on a case-by-case level, but, as Warner’s partner, she would be positioned to design the much needed legislative reforms in social services and drug enforcement for the entire country. The time had come for Warner to present
TWENTY-SEVEN
Carolyn sat next to her assistant. Katherine Seals, in front of her computer. “Internet lesson number nine- hundred-fifty-four.” Carolyn said with a laugh. “Will I ever digest all of this?”
“Of course.” Katherine responded. “You have to remember, I’ve been working with computers for years.”
Carolyn knew that information was the key to success. And, she had to admit, finding herself on the learning curve again was exciting.
“I know you majored in computer science in college, but how did you become so proficient?”
“My real education came from my old boss, Clayton Small, at the National Security Agency,” Katherine said.
Carolyn paused, searching her memory. “Wasn’t he part of the espionage story Jack Rudly broke? Something about trapping a German spy who tapped into our military computers.”
Carolyn saw pain flash in Katherine’s eyes.
“After I graduated, Clayton offered me a job at NSA in Information Systems Security. I worked with him for several years, and learned more about computers in that time than I learned in my four years at Berkeley. He’s an incredible man.”
“Why’d you leave?”
Katherine met Carolyn’s gaze. “I had no choice. Jack Rudly saw to that.”
“What happened?”
“I’d rather not go into it. Let’s just say that I thought my trust was well placed, but I was wrong. Never date a
