39

“As you know, Susan, this is very surprising news. Until recently, Nathan Emerson, candidate for governor of Texas, has been linked with an Austin attorney, Tiffany Shea of Shea, Bailey, and Gutteridge—a highly successful environmental firm headquartered in Austin, with offices in Dallas and Houston.”

“Yes, Bill. The news breaking this morning is quite shocking when you consider he’s now romantically involved with another young woman, a floral department clerk at Central Market who never even finished college. And he’s been having secret trysts with this woman, keeping their relationship hidden from the public.”

“I don’t know, but my gut tells me Texas voters might take pause in knowing . . .”

Nate slammed his palms on the conference room table. “Shut it off!”

Janesa stood and grabbed the remote. She turned to the head of Nate’s press team, Jim Perry. “You’re recording all the networks, right?”

He nodded.

Janesa pointed the remote and muted the sound. “Look, we already ascertained this was a possibility. Sure, we’d wanted to get out in front of this and break the news ourselves, but even then, there would be news pundits serving as Holiday’s attack dogs. What we’re not focusing on is that there’s an upside here.”

“Yeah, what’s that?” Nate sank into a chair. “Because all I see is that they are painting Leta with Sarah Palin brushstrokes in front of the entire state, making her out to be some simpleton who doesn’t belong in political circles and surely isn’t fit to perhaps become first lady of Texas. Leta didn’t sign up for that,” he said miserably.

He was a big boy, could handle the bomb throwers, the e-fluentials, and the downright nasties who loved to bring down anyone currently on top. Sadly, that’s how politics worked.

With her first foray onto the public scene being a scandal of this nature, surely he wouldn’t blame Leta if she thought twice about their relationship and ran the other direction.

“No, listen to me,” Janesa said. “There’s a way to spin this. Yes, there is a huge amount of constituents in heavily populated metro areas who are image snobs, and this relationship might give them pause. But there are also a number of registered voters who will see this as a positive. If we play this properly, they will view this story as proof that you really are one of them and not sitting off in the governor’s mansion, out of touch and not caring about the common folk—the everyday voter.”

Nate buried his head in his hands. “Nice try, Janesa.”

Jim tossed several newspapers on the table. “That’s not the biggest issue. These photos make you look like a two-timing dog in heat. Especially with shots of you and Shea taken only months ago printed side by side with these clandestine ‘gotcha’ pics of you with—uh, I’m sorry, what’s her name again?”

Janesa gave him a scalding glare from across the table. “Her name is Leta Breckenridge.”

Nate held up his palms. “Okay. I get what you’re saying. We all have to concede none of this is good. We’ll take a big hit in the polls, which the opposing side will play up big-time. Especially with the debate only days away. The timing couldn’t be worse.”

For the first time, he doubted his own judgment. He’d not listened when warned, and because of that, he’d placed the entire campaign in jeopardy. Worse, he’d let down his constituents, those who counted on him to serve and protect them and govern in a manner that kept their interests in the forefront of every decision made.

His shortsighted disregard for how deadly political oppos could turn a campaign on its head, using whatever sleazy means available, had placed the woman he loved in harm’s way. He’d have a hard time forgiving himself.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the door. His mother barged into the conference room, trailed by a bewildered-looking Leta. A woman he didn’t recognize, dressed in a suit and carrying an expensive-looking leather attaché, followed close behind.

Before he had time to react to the unexpected interruption, he was faced with yet another surprise among the unexpected visitors.

Tiffany Shea.

Now was definitely one time Leta envied her mother’s addled inability to comprehend reality. She’d almost rather be cognitively impaired than to face walking into a conference room filled with these smart and important people staring at her.

No doubt they were all wondering why someone as politically astute as Nathan would place himself in this precarious situation in the first place. Admittedly, after all those news reports, she’d wondered the same.

She was a political nobody. Worse, a liability. What could possibly have enticed Nate into falling for someone like her? Especially when he’d been warned against doing anything that might hurt his campaign.

“Okay, everyone. We have a lot of work ahead of us.” Nate’s mother untied a scarf from her neck and laid it over the purse she handed off to a guy standing at the table. “Take these, would you, Jim?”

“Mother, what are you doing here?”

“Protecting the interests of my political action committee and its numerous donors.” She softened momentarily, placing her hand on Nate’s shoulder. “And those of my son.”

Without waiting for a reply, Vera nodded toward the woman Leta had only just met in the car on the way over to the campaign offices. “Everyone, this is Carolyn Hawley. She’s with the Hawley Moxell crisis management firm.” She turned and faced her son. “Carolyn’s father, Bob, helped with the matter concerning—”

“My father,” Nate said.

“Yes,” she confirmed while moving to pour herself a glass of water from the pitcher on the table. “And I brought Leta and Tiffany along because we all need to be on the same page as we address Holiday’s attempt to distract voters from the real issues.”

Janesa appeared relieved that help of this nature had arrived on the scene. “Have we confirmed it’s Holiday and not some PAC or well-intentioned crony?”

Carolyn moved forward, not a dark hair out of place in her neatly constructed bun. Large gold hoops dangled from her ears as she tossed her bag to the table. “Yes. Apparently an insider named Erin Robertson texted Leta to warn her, but she failed to see it in time.”

Nate moved next to Leta, touched her lightly on the forearm. “I’m so sorry about all of this,” he said quietly.

Tiffany took a seat across the table. She wore the brooch Nate’s mother had gifted her at the party.

Nate nodded in her direction. “Thank you for being here, Tiffany.”

“Anything to help. Allowing Governor Holiday another win is certainly not in my firm’s best interests.”

Leta couldn’t help but admire her flinty determination, the way Nate’s former girlfriend was able to keep any emotion from her face. Especially given the fact she was also being splayed across the media.

Carolyn dug in her leather case and pulled out a small stack of stapled papers. She passed them around the table. “Here is our official response. I recommend this go out on the wires immediately. I’ve also included talking points and have scheduled a media blitz of our own.” She looked at Leta. “We’ll take her shopping. It’s important that we create a visual that will pivot the mental image the press has planted in the minds of voters.”

“Leta,” Nate said.

Carolyn glanced in his direction. “Excuse me?”

“Not to get off to a bad start here. I appreciate all your help. But her name is Leta.”

Vera frowned. “Son—”

Carolyn held up her hand. “No, Vera, he has a point.”

Leta felt the heat of everyone’s gaze as Carolyn quickly added, “Leta, please accept my apology.”

She nodded. “Thank you.” What else was she supposed to say? She wished Nate wouldn’t have even brought the matter up. It wasn’t as if she could feel any worse, really.

Carolyn turned to Janesa. “We’re going to paint this as a bunch of sleazy creeps hiding in the bushes with cameras—the very opposite of the character and integrity Nathan Emerson projects.” She placed her hands on the table and leaned forward. “Leta, it’s important you never, ever apologize. Not for your relationship with Nate, and certainly not for your education level or job. You are a smart, kind, and motivated young woman who dealt with life’s blows the best you could. Frankly, the sacrifices you made for your mother are to be admired.” She glanced around the room. “The only way the opposition wins on this one is if this camp lies down and lets them walk on your backs. The counter to that is to stand tall and claim you have nothing to atone for—absolutely nothing.” She stood square. “Got it, Leta?”

She nodded, feeling buoyed by the woman’s confidence and energy.

Nate nodded his approval as well before returning his attention to the printed messages he held in his hands.

“Tiffany, your job is to convey how your relationship with Nathan was over long before he started up with Leta. That there are no hard feelings and you remain friends with both Nate and Leta. Defuse any drama.”

Nate stood and moved to the window. He looked out over the street below. “Do we really have to impose on Tiffany to help clear this up?”

His mother answered. “What we face extends beyond anything personal, Son. As Tiffany said, her firm cares very much who lands in the governor’s mansion.”

Despite her earlier performance, Leta could see from Tiffany’s eyes that notion wasn’t entirely true. Of course this was personal.

Of anyone in the room besides her, Tiffany had a significant emotional stake in what was being blasted across the television screens. She was being depicted as the highly accomplished woman tossed aside for an uneducated twit. Of course she’d want to alter that impression, given the opportunity.

Still, the disdain Tiffany Shea felt toward the unfortunate situation, and most likely Nate and Leta, would remain hidden. At least when she was in public.

“Vera’s correct,” Tiffany said. “I have a vested interest in making sure no one acts in a reckless manner going forward. It’s imperative we do everything possible to end the sensationalism as quickly as possible.”

Seeming satisfied that everyone was on board with her plan, Carolyn rubbed her hands together. “All right. We all have our marching orders. Let’s get going.”

An image of Jane Ladd and Bernard Geisler formed in Leta’s mind. She still couldn’t believe they had sunk so low as to use her to bring down Nate’s campaign. Although she shouldn’t really be surprised at all. If she’d learned anything while working for the Ladd Agency, it was that Bernard, with those dark crow-like eyes tucked behind the shiny wire-rimmed glasses, was capable of this and more.