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Ped slammed the phone down on the sofa.
‘Amanda will have to go. She’s driving me crazy.’
‘There’s no need to pitch a fit, Ped. How can you even think of dumping Amanda when she’s helped you get this far, so close?’
‘The woman’s givin’ me an earful about being here instead of Newark – and the message it’s sending. She’s always harpin’ on about the fuckin’ message.’
‘Language Ped! What’s got into you? And you’ve barely touched your breakfast.’
‘I’m not hungry.’
‘You’d want to pink slip a press secretary if she wasn’t focusing on the message. That’s her job.’
‘Jin would do the job much better.’
‘Who’s Jin?’
The backroom operation had been so discreet, even his wife didn’t know about Jin and the Ciph.
‘Just someone who’s been helping us with messaging for social media.’
‘Male or female?’
‘What?’
‘This Jin. Is he or she a man or woman?’
‘Woman. Jin Ly. A very smart, astute woman who doesn’t rub me up the wrong way.’
‘Is she good looking?’
‘What? No. Yes. I don’t know. Jin’s not my type. Cut me some slack, Patricia, for goodness’ sake.’
Ped had elected to remain in Atlanta to meet privately with prospective running mates, forgoing last-minute campaigning in New Jersey. He was flying up to Newark that afternoon to announce his choice at the party to celebrate winning the nomination.
The three candidates shortlisted for interviewing ticked all the boxes for what he needed in a Veep, to balance the ticket. A white woman from inside the Beltway with experience in national government. All three hailed from northern states, had strong DC credentials, were younger than Ped, and better looking.
Each interview lasted more than an hour. They all presented well, any of the three could do the job, so it came down in the end to gut instinct and chemistry. Madeline Walters just felt right.
The plan had been for her to accompany Ped to Newark, but they decided to delay her public unveiling when exit polls showed he might fall tantalizingly short.
It was the right call. Hunter swept the winner-take-all states of New Jersey and Montana, as well as South Dakota and the Virgin Islands. Ped squeaked home in New Mexico, but ended the day two delegates short of the 1237 needed to claim the nomination.
Which meant he would have to go to Puerto Rico.
*****
‘Welcome to Auckland Mr. Montoya.’
The immigration officer handed back his passport and Rodrigo went through the nothing to declare lane.
He ignored the crowds in the arrival hall, cursed himself for not bringing warmer clothing as he strode over the zebra crossing to the Novotel Hotel. His brother Mauricio was waiting in the lobby, sitting in a chair by the window with a phone to his ear.
He finished the call and they embraced.
‘Hola.’
‘Hola.’
‘¿Qué mas pues?’
‘Los he encontrado. But it is better to speak English here. It will arouse less suspicion. I’ve tracked them to a villa in Devonport.’
‘Perfect.’
*****
Jay chose a Toyota Rav4 four-wheel-drive, and waited while the rental service guy gave Mike tips on driving on the left.
‘The thing most Americans have trouble with, sir, is looking to the right. When you’re at home, you’re used to watching left for traffic. Here it’s the opposite. The danger will be on the right. Remember that and you’ll be sweet.’
Mike assured the man he got it, then followed him out to the yard and tried to get in the wrong side.
Jay shook his head. ‘You’ll have more luck reaching the steering wheel from the other side mate.’
Mike palmed his forehead, mumbling some lame excuse about jetlag, then swapped sides. They drove through the village, approaching a roundabout from different directions until Mike got used to the traffic flow.
Jay took over before the highway. At the airport, he checked out a filling station, cargo inspection depot and logistics warehouse, before deciding the short-stay parking lot over the road from the international terminal was the best location.
Aventura gave clients three options for flights to Bali – direct with Air New Zealand, or via Australia with Jetstar or Qantas. The Qantas flight was leaving in just over three hours. Jay dropped Mike off at a cab rank, then settled in for the first shift.
