Read Online Poisoned Politics by Maggie Sefton - Free Book Online Page A

to the office. It was 7:30 now, but I’d be right in the midst of rush hour traffic on Chain Bridge Road. Even weaving around residential streets, I’d still be stuck. Might as well just get onto the G.W. Parkway and fight my way across Key Bridge with everyone else. It didn’t matter where you started in Virginia, if you were headed to Washington, the Potomac River had to be crossed.
    â€œYou’d better go, Molly. I’m afraid you’re gonna get stuck in that mess.” Samantha pushed away from her desk.
    â€œYeah, I’d better join the herd.” I drained the rest of the yucky coffee and followed Samantha out of the library.
    â€œThanks again for coming over so early. I appreciated getting your reaction to that video, especially the last part.” She grimaced.
    â€œYou know you can count on me, Samantha,” I said as I slipped my purse over my shoulder. “And let me know what your lawyer says. Keep me posted, okay?”
    â€œCount on it, Molly,” she said with a smile. It was the first smile I’d seen from her that morning.
    _____
    I sipped the delicate Pinot Noir and savored its lush yet subtle flavors as I stood at the edge of Senator Russell’s elegant living room, watching tonight’s guests mingle. The wine merchants that my cousins Nan and Deb had personally recommended had not disappointed. The senator’s wine list had been upgraded without making a huge dent in the entertaining budget. That made me very happy since I was in charge of all of the senator’s household and entertaining expenses.
    Tonight’s reception was smaller than most of the Senator’s earlier ones. This guest list focused solely on Senator Russell’s colleagues on his other Senate committee, Energy and Natural Resources. Several members were from Western states. As was my usual game-day plan, I welcomed arriving guests and shepherded them toward the caterer’s temptations, as well as the bartender’s.
    The serving staff from the private firm that the senator employed for entertaining were experienced with all manner of political functions and moved smoothly and efficiently throughout any group, large or small. Since the senator had been entertaining the entire Congress over the last four months I’d been working for him, I’d become well-acquainted with all of the staff of Preferred Professionals. We were battlefield comrades together. Nothing kept you on your toes like a room full of demanding politicians and their egos.
    July’s heat had kept all but a handful of guests inside the living room in the air-conditioned cool. Old pro Aggie and graduate student Ryan moved smoothly through the clusters of Senators, spouses, and chief staffers offering tempting appetizers and replenishing drinks. Talking made most people thirsty. Since politicians talked more than most people—a lot more—they were thirstier. Hence, Aggie worked a nonstop route between the bar and the guests. Each replenished tray was emptied quickly. Bartender Bud was an efficient machine, fast and smooth. Filling drink orders, pouring wines, and mild non-alcoholic choices for those who wanted to keep their wits about them and their tongues in check. The Senate chamber was filled with very powerful people. Some of them were in this room tonight, I observed. One careless remark could damage an up-and-coming staffer’s career. I’d seen that happen more times than I cared to remember.
    I spotted Aggie return from supplying the handful of sun-worshippers on the patio and then head to the bar yet again. Ryan walked my way with his empty tray. “Looks like the caterer’s peppered beef was a success. You’ve been running back and forth to the kitchen faster than normal,” I said as Ryan approached.
    â€œOhhhh, yeah. They went through those peppered beef canapés fast. Good thing the caterer brought more of the brie and pastry and the curried chicken. Man,