“Which one’s Congressman Guerrero’s?” Quinn asked, playing up the part of curious journalist.
Ray stopped and turned. “Over there,” he said, pointing in the opposite direction. “See that hallway? He’s down that.”
Quinn nodded as if it was one of the most interesting things he’d learned that week.
A few moments later, Ray led him into a small, windowless office. A desk, two visitors’ chairs, and a couple of bookcases with pristine sets of leather-bound books on the shelves.
On the walls were more pictures of the congressman. Action shots again. Guerrero smiling, or shaking hands, or visiting a factory, or listening to citizens. Only this time there were no notable celebrities or political figures. This was the wall of the
“You keep a pretty clean office,” Quinn said as he sat in one of the visitor chairs. Except for a phone, a dark blotter, and a blank legal pad, the desk was clean. No computer, no in/out trays, no files.
Ray let out a quick, embarrassed laugh. “Truthfully, I’m at one of those desks we passed by out there. Assistant Press Secretary doesn’t rate an office. Besides, we’re a little cramped for space. This was the congressman’s idea, actually. An office anyone can use when necessary.”
“The paper has me in a cubicle next to the bathroom,” Quinn said. “That’s why I prefer fieldwork.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Ray said. “I love it when we have an event outside the office. Nothing like stretching your legs and mingling with the people.”
“Very true.” Quinn sensed a shift in the staffer’s demeanor, a relaxing as if Ray had detected some sort of common connection.
“How can I help you, Mr. Drake?”
“It’s Richard. I’m hoping you can give me a little more background information. Fill in a few holes I still have in the story.”
“Of course,” Ray said. “This is a profile piece on the congressman, right?”
“Exactly. We’ve seen an increase in his poll numbers back home in Colorado,” Quinn said, using some of the information he’d dug up that morning. “Looks like he might be starting to get noticed. My editors thought it would be good to be ahead of the curve instead of following the story. So they sent me out here.”
Ray beamed. “We’ve seen those numbers, too. And Colorado isn’t the only place we’re trending up. I can’t tell you how good it is to see the congressman’s message is getting out.”
“I can understand that.” Quinn gave Ray a knowing smile. “My guess is this time next year, you may be close to moving out of that cube and into a real office down the Mall from here.”
“That’s still a long way away,” Ray said, unable to hide the hope from his voice. “A lot could happen between now and then.” He raised a hand off the desk. “But if you want to talk about the election, I could put you in touch with someone on his campaign staff. Technically, I can only deal with things directly related to the congressman’s current job.”
“Of course, I understand,” Quinn said. “And that’s why I’ve come to you.”
For fifteen minutes, Quinn asked questions that sounded important, but were really softballs Ray would be able to answer at length. As Ray spoke Quinn wrote in the pocket notebook he’d brought along, acting interested and intrigued by the man’s answers.
After a lengthy recounting of the congressman’s most recent trip back to Texas, Quinn said, “Certainly sounds like he cares about the people he represents.”
“Absolutely.”
“When I met Jennifer Fuentes on my last trip out, she mentioned the congressman was not someone who blindly followed party lines. Do you think that’s going to be a problem for him in the election?”
“Again, I’d have to direct you to his campaign press person. Her name is Nicole Blanc. Let me give you her number.” Ray began writing on the legal pad. “Someone had mentioned you’d initially talked to Jennifer. Odd she didn’t have you go through the press secretary or myself.”
He ripped the piece of paper off the pad and handed it to Quinn.
Quinn smiled. “Not so odd. Jennifer and I have a friend in common. A guy I knew back in college. He connected us.”
“Okay.” Ray gave an exaggerated nod, understanding. “That makes sense. Still, we’d rather handle press requests through our office. Someone in her position, we’d rather not bother her unless we really need to.”
“I did get the impression she keeps pretty busy.”
“Her position is very demanding,” Ray said.
“Well,” Quinn said, “I think I’ve got everything I need. I appreciate you giving me the time.”
They both stood up. “My pleasure,” Ray said. “Before you leave, I have something for you.”
He leaned back down and opened one of the drawers on the desk. From inside, he pulled out a canvas tote bag. It was dark blue, and printed in white on the front was
“Thanks,” Quinn said.
“What you’ll find most interesting inside is the copy of
“I’ll take a look at it.” As Ray came around the desk, Quinn said, “I was wondering if I could say hi to Jennifer since I’m here.”
“I’m sorry,” Ray said. “She’s currently not in D.C.”
