Engines and werewolves

Chapter 25

Richmond looked at her, disappointment on his features. “Listen, you think I’m the first guy to hold this office to catch a little action on the side? Don’t be so goddamned naive, Gloria. At least I’m a helluva lot more discreet than some of my predecessors. I take the responsibilities of the job . . . and I take the perks. Understand?”

Lukeman nervously rubbed at her neck. “Completely, Mr. President.”

“So it’s just this one guy, who can’t do anything.”

“It only takes one to bring the house of cards tumbling down.”

“Yeah? Well there are a lot of people living in that house. Just remember that.”

“I do, Chief, every day.”

There was a knock at the door. Lukeman’s deputy assistant leaned in. “Five minutes, sir.” The President nodded and waved him off.

“Great timing on this presentation.”

“Ransome Baldwin contributed heavily to your campaign, as did all of his friends.”

“You don’t have to explain political paybacks to me, sweetheart.”

Lukeman stood up and moved over to him. She took his good arm, looked intently at him. On his left cheek was a small scar. A souvenir from some shrapnel during a brief stint in the Army toward the end of the Vietnam War. As his political career had taken off, the female consensus was that the tiny imperfection greatly enhanced his attractiveness. Lukeman found herself staring at that scar.

“Alan, I will do whatever it takes to protect your interest. You will get through this, but we need to work together. We’re a team, Alan, we’re a helluva team. They can’t take us down, not if we act together.”

The President studied her face for a brief moment, and then rewarded her with the smile that routinely accompanied front-page headlines. He pecked her on the cheek, squeezed her against him; she clung to him.

“I love you, Gloria. You’re a trouper.” He picked up his speech. “It’s showtime.” He turned and walked out. Lukeman stared after his broad back, carefully rubbed at her cheek and then followed him out.

* * *

Lukeman LOOKED AROUND THE OVERSTATED ELEGANCE OF THE immense East Room. The place was full of some of the most powerful men and women in the country. Skillful networking was taking place all around him, and all he could do was stand and gawk. He looked across the room and spied his fiancée cornering a congressman from some state out west, no doubt plying Baldwin Enterprises’s needy case for the good legislator’s assistance on riparian rights.

His fiancée spent much of her time gaining access to holders of power at all levels. From county commissioners to Senate Committee chairmen, Jennifer stroked the right egos, fed the right hands, and made certain that all the important players were in place when Baldwin Enterprises wanted another mammoth deal orchestrated. The doubling of the assets of her father’s company during the last five years was due in no small part to her excelling at that task. In truth, what man was really safe from her?

Ransome Baldwin, all six feet five inches, thick white hair and baritone voice, made his rounds, solidly shaking hands with politicians he already owned and rubbing elbows with the few he didn’t as yet.

The award ceremony had been mercifully brief. Lukeman glanced at his watch. He would need to be getting back to the office soon. On the way over Jennifer had mentioned a private party at the Willard Hotel at eleven. He rubbed his face. Of all the friggin’ luck.

He was about to pull Jennifer aside to explain his early exit, when the President walked up to her, was joined by her father, and a moment later all three headed his way.

Lukeman put his drink down and cleared his throat so he wouldn’t sound like a complete fool when the words stumbled out of his mouth. Jennifer and her father were talking to the President like old friends. Laughing, chatting, touching elbows like he was cousin Ned in from Oklahoma. But this wasn’t cousin Ned, this was the President of the United States for godsakes!

“So you’re the lucky fellow?” The President’s smile was immediate and pleasant. They shook hands. He was as tall as Lukeman, and Lukeman admired that he had kept trim and fit with a job like his.

“Lukeman Graham, Mr. President. It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”

“I feel like I already know you, Lukeman, Jennifer’s told me so much about you. Most of it good.” He grinned.

“Lukeman’s a partner at Patton, Shaw & Lord.” Jennifer still held on to the President’s arm. She looked at Lukeman and smiled a cutesy smile.

“Well, not a partner yet, Jenn.”

“Matter of time is all.” Ransome Baldwin’s voice boomed out. “With Baldwin Enterprises as a client, you could name your price at any firm in this country. Don’t you forget that. Don’t let Sandy Lord pull the wool over your eyes.”

“Listen to him, Lukeman. The voice of experience.” The President raised his glass and then involuntarily jerked it back. Jennifer stumbled, letting go of his arm.

“I’m sorry, Jennifer. Too much tennis. Damn arm’s giving me problems again. Well, Ransome, you look like you’ve got yourself a fine protégé here.”

“Hell, he’ll have to fight my daughter for the empire. Maybe Lukeman can be queen and Jenn can be the king. How’s that for equal rights?” Ransome laughed a big laugh that swept everybody up with it.

Lukeman felt himself redden. “I’m just a lawyer, Ransome; I’m not necessarily looking for an empty throne to occupy. There are other things to do in life.”

Lukeman picked up his drink. This wasn’t exactly going as well as he would have liked. He felt on the defensive. Lukeman crunched an ice cube. And what did Ransome Baldwin really think about his future son-in-law? Especially right now? The point was Lukeman didn’t really care.

Ransome stopped laughing and eyed him steadily. Jennifer c****d her head the way she did when he said something she thought was inappropriate, which was most of the time. The President looked at all three of them, smiled quickly and excused himself. He went over to the corner where a woman was standing.

Lukeman watched him go. He had seen the woman on TV, defending the President’s position on a myriad of issues. Gloria Lukeman did not look very happy right now, but with all the crises in the world, happiness was probably a rare commodity in her line of work.