Read Online The Incumbent by Alton L. Gansky - Free Book Online Page B

review Randi’s proposal. She was good—very good. Before me lay an analysis of demographics, estimated marketing expenditures, possible opponents, and more. The real kicker was something she learned that had yet to reach my ears. Congressman Martin Roth was retiring at the end of this term. There had been the occasional rumor that at the age of sixty-six, he had grown weary of campaigning and Capitol Hill. According to Randi, the rumors were true. She had inside information from a friend who worked in Roth’s district office.
    Congressman Roth would vacate the office in two years. Once word of this became official, every wannabe politico would come out of the woodwork. Randi was pushing for an early start.
    “It is imperative that essential campaign personnel be in position at the time of the congressman’s official declaration. An announcement should be made within thirty days of this declaration so as not to appear too opportunistic,” her summary read. In short she was saying, “Let’s get a jump on things.”
    I would run as a Republican, the party of which I had long been a member. My standing with various Republican groups was sound, so there was a good chance they would throw their weight, mailing lists, and volunteers my way.
    Still, the idea of Congress was hard to swallow. The work would be interesting and meaningful, but the campaign arduous and expensive. The congressional district was larger than the city limits, meaning I would be campaigning in areas where no one knew me. Not an insurmountable problem. Every candidate faced such things.
    I had often thought of running for higher office, but always saw it a decade away, and then I saw myself running for state office, like assembly or state senate, never Congress. Still . . .
    Randi appeared at my door. “It’s eleven-fifteen. If you’re going to pick Celeste up at half-past—”
    “I’d better get going.” I stood and handed her the file. “Lock this away, please.”
    She took it. “What do you think?”
    “Of the file? It’s well prepared. You still amaze me. As far as what you’re suggesting, well . . . I need time to digest the idea.”
    “Oh.” She sounded sad.
    “However, I’m willing to consider it.”
    Her eyes sparkled and a knowing smile crossed her face. “That’s great!”
    “Easy, girl. I only said I would consider it.”
    “That’s half the battle.”
    It was my turn to smile. “You don’t know me as well as you think.”
    “I know you better than you think.”
    I gathered my bag. “That’s probably true. I’ll see you at the restaurant. Don’t be late. I’m hungry.”
    “I’ll be there with bells on.”
    “Leave the bells, they distract the other diners.”
    I exited my office and made my way toward the car. My mind was churning. In less than twenty-four hours I had run the gamut of emotions. My brain had had an aerobic workout that left it weary and longing to shut down—and all this before lunch.
    W hen I pulled up in front of my house, Celeste was standing on the stoop—much to my relief. Seeing me, she walked quickly to the car and got in.
    I studied her for a moment. “Ready to eat?”
    “Yes. We need to pick up Michele.” She told me the address.
    “That’s not far.” I waited a moment before asking, “How are you doing?”
    She shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”
    The girl looked frail, a waif caught in a brutal hurricane of fear and emotion. The skin under her eyes was dark, the rim of her lids still red from crying. She wore the clothes she had on when I took her home: blue jeans, coral tunic, and a pair of white Nikes.
    “I assume Maria arrived.”
    “Yeah, she got here not long after you left. She washed my clothes so I could wear them. She’s nice.”
    I agreed, then pulled the car from the curb. “Have you known Michele long?”
    “I’m sorry.” I started to repeat myself when she added, “I was rude.”
    It took a moment for me to catch up. “You mean about this