A Moment of Weakness Read Online Free PDF Page B

finding somewhere else to cut the budget. It would be you.”
    Tanner chuckled. “I figured as much.”
    Lang patted Tanner roughly on the shoulder. “Welcome to summer internships, my friend. We’ll keep you so busy you’ll look forward to final exams.”
    “I don’t doubt it.”
    Lang had lightened up considerably in the past five minutes and seemed ready to make small talk. Tanner didn’t mind that he’d been made chief scapegoat on the issue. He didn’t know a soul in the state of Washington, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a friend in Lang.
    The man shot a look around Tanner’s cubicle. “Public office, right? That’s the goal?”
    “How’d you guess?”
    “Princeton degree in poli-sci, political internships, get elected to councilman or congressman. Maybe the big time, state senator, or even the White House.” Lang huffed and a grin appeared on his face. “I’ve worked with you dreamers before.”
    “Yep.” Tanner studied the stack of books he’d unpacked moments earlier. He suddenly felt like a load of bricks had been dumped on his shoulders. “That’s always been the big dream. Public office. An elected servant of the people. It’s something I’ve …” he searched for the right words, “known I’d do … as far back as I can remember.”
    The ten-member board of supervisors had finished its private meeting and now sat along a panel at the front of the auditorium. The room was filling fast, and Tanner could feel the tension. Scattered about were clusters of townspeople, whispering and gesturing and casting disdainful looks toward the board.
    This wasn’t going to be a discussion. It was going to be a lynching. They didn’t want to lose the children’s unit at Kelso General, and they appeared ready to demand the heads of the people who did.
    Tanner scanned the room. Mostly older people, longtime residents, probably, and several serious-looking couples.Parents of sick kids, no doubt. He continued searching the room … and his breath caught in his throat.
    She was in the back row, sitting by herself. She couldn’t have been much more than twenty, slim and athletic looking with short, windblown hair the color of roasted walnuts. She was studying a pile of notes on her lap, and Tanner realized she was wearing a nurse’s uniform.
Great. Another voice against us
. Despite the scowl on her face she was breathtaking. The girl glanced up and met his gaze, and for a moment a look of recognition flashed in her eyes. Then she looked quickly away.
    For a moment, Tanner’s political poise wavered, and he considered going to her. There was something familiar about her, though Tanner couldn’t decide what it was. He watched her for another few seconds, then returned to his notes. The girl didn’t matter.
    If she worked with the children at Kelso General, then they were about to become enemies.
    The meeting was underway, and several minor matters of business had been taken care of. Now Lang had the floor, and he was reading from Tanner’s resume.
    “We have a young intern with us for the summer. He’s from Princeton University and—” he shot Tanner a look—“will probably become a household name one day in political circles. This afternoon he’s going to brief all of you on the budget status and the intended closure of the children’s unit at Kelso General Hospital.” A chorus of grumblings began to build, and Lang was forced to raise his voice. “If you’ll please give him your attention. Mr. Tanner Ghormsley.”
    Tanner hesitated for a moment.
Ghormsley?
Some great start he’d made in becoming a household name if his boss couldn’teven remember what to call him. He didn’t bother making a correction. He stood and felt a sense of serenity. Crowds did not make him nervous.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, first let me thank you for coming. I understand that many of you have serious concerns about the closure of the children’s unit at Kelso General.” He paused, guessing that nearly