Deadly Politics Read Online Free PDF Page B

it.”
    This time he laughed loudly, clearly enjoying my abject surrender. “Enough of the past. Let’s get up to speed. Present day. Why didn’t you get involved in the last Colorado election? You’d been a player from the day you arrived from Washington. First, with Governor Lambert, then with Senator Hartman. The Democrats could have used your help. The Republicans took over some key congressional seats and the state legislature.”
    I threw up my hands. “Now, with the guilt, he starts. Don’t even go there, Peter. My absence was insignificant. Those candidates lost that election all by themselves. They cut their own throats with that name-calling and mudslinging. I almost had to force myself to vote last November. Besides, your guy is an Independent. So all their mudslinging helped get him elected.”
    â€œPoint taken. But you didn’t come to any candidate’s events. Not even the senator’s. And my sources told me you personally supported his candidacy, even though he ran as an Independent.”
    It was my turn to relax in my chair. I was beginning to enjoy this banter. Getting my chops back, I guess. “Tell your sources they can screw themselves. I sent a check.”
    His eyes lit up as he laughed. Brewster clearly was enjoying this conversation. If I couldn’t be gainfully employed, I might as well be entertaining.
    â€œAnd tell them they’re getting sloppy. If they were really good, they’d have known that I was divorced at the beginning of last year, and I was trying to put my life back together. Both economically and emotionally. The last thing I needed was a daily dose of the negative campaigning that today’s politicians revel in.”
    â€œActually, they told me about your divorce and your reluctance to get involved. I just wanted to see how you responded.”
    I studied Brewster, all relaxed demeanor and boyish pose on the outside, while that intense Boy Scout gaze probed, searching for weaknesses.
    â€œInteresting interviewing style you’ve developed, Peter. You insult the job seekers so you can watch how each performs, am I right?”
    His grin turned sly. “Spot on. Didn’t take you long.”
    â€œFlattery will get you nowhere, Ace,” I replied, surprised how comfortable I felt at the moment. “Tell me, why does Russell need an attack dog like you? What’s he afraid of ?”
    Direct hit. Brewster shifted in his chair. “Senator Russell’s not afraid of anything, Molly. That’s the problem. I have to be afraid for him.”
    I wasn’t expecting that response, and it must have showed because Brewster continued.
    â€œI need to know that anyone who works with the senator can be trusted to keep everything they see or hear completely confidential. The senator is being approached daily, hounded almost, by senators from both sides of the aisle, congressmen, lobbyists, reporters. Everyone’s trying to pick his brain to see if they can figure out a way to gain his allegiance. It’s all I can do to schedule him some time for himself, he’s being courted so heavily—”
    I couldn’t resist a wicked grin. “Like a virgin at a frat party.”
    Brewster gave a surprised, explosive laugh, then relaxed visibly. “Damn, Molly, I like you, and the senator will love you. You’ll make a great addition to the team.”
    My ass . “Not so fast, Ace. Right now, you’re 0 for 3. You’ve insulted my late husband’s memory, sent your minions in Colorado mucking about in my personal life, and spent the last half hour baiting me. You’ve annoyed the living crap out of me. Why the hell would I want to work for you?”
    â€œYou’d be working for Senator Russell, not me.”
    â€œDon’t hand me that. I know how this business works. You’re the chief of staff, and you run the show.”
    â€œYou want to know why Senator Russell and I