Page 8 of End Game

Aunt Sybil had one of those personalities that eclipsed everyone in the room. She had used her sharp mind, droll humor, and fearless attitude to open many boardroom doors, and now she helmed the state’s top pharmaceutical company.

“Glad you could pull away for the evening,” Kayla said, returning the embrace.

“Anything for Jillie and Vicky.”

Tonight’s benefit would increase the governor’s exposure while raising enough funds to purchase a thousand-acre plot of land on the north side of Asheville. The developer who owned the property had established a sales office and cleared about twenty acres for an internal road system for the first phase of the development before going belly-up.

Local conservation groups had long believed the area housed several endangered and threatened species, but the developer’s survey hadn’t indicated a single species. Once the property went up for sale again, three independent surveys revealed an astonishing plethora of important plants and animals on the site.

Unfortunately, no one organization had the financial resources to buy such a sizable parcel. So they had approached the Krowne Foundation, which was known for its generosity toward local issues.

As much as Kayla believed in and supported conservation initiatives, she’d originally declined her mother’s invite. She had three more votes to secure for an upcoming bill. Time was ticking. To get the votes, she needed to be in Raleigh, the capitol, where all the dark magic happened.

“Harper threatened to put blue dye in my pool if I didn’t make an appearance,” Kayla said.

Vicky laughed. “Your sister can be quite persuasive.”

“Sounds like Harper got to y’all, too.” Kayla stepped forward to embrace the petite woman beside Sybil. “Maybe I should take a lesson out of her playbook.”

“Don’t you dare,” Aunt Elsie said, with a smile and warm hug.

As she always did for social events, the fashion designer had tamed her riot of red curls and concealed her freckles. Kayla thought of this version as her Nicole Kidman red carpet look. Sleek, polished, classic Hollywood.

Kayla much preferred her aunt’s natural and wild, let-your-freckles-fly look.

“For you, persuasion is an art form,” Elsie said. “You customize your approach to each person’s basic needs.”

“Harper, on the other hand,” Sybil said, “goes right for the fear factor.”

“I’m for whatever tactic brought us all together,” Kayla said. “It’s been too long.”

Everyone nodded and held their drinks up in a silent salute.

Kayla addressed the governor. “I hope Mama’s guests aren’t pestering you too much.”

Vicky smiled. “No more, no less than usual.”

“I’ve counted one snide remark,” Sybil said in an affronted voice, “two veiled threats, and four impassioned pitches for why she should support one cause or another.”

The governor’s smile widened. “As I said.”

“What has gotten into people, these days?” Jillian asked. “It’s as if civility is a foreign concept. A romantic notion only practiced in bygone days.”

“People feel more empowered,” Kayla said. “They have platforms where they can voice their concerns.”

“Sharing is one thing,” Sybil said. “Being an ass about it is quite another.”

“How are your efforts going with the Engel County School Board?” Elsie asked. “Are the votes there yet?”

Kayla sensed Jillian stiffen beside her. Focusing on her aunt, she conjured a secretive smile.

“How did you do it?” Sybil asked. “My source told me Rhodes was a solid yes.”

Kayla’s heart began a slow slide into the depths of her stomach.

A seasoned lobbyist, she maintained her pleasant expression, while attempting to discern the meaning behind her aunt’s question. Curiosity? Suspicion? Envy?

“Ms. Rhodes understood why it would be in her community’s best interest to table the Board’s response to SB49 until they had time to work through the new law’s complicated mandates.” Slapping a Parents’ Bill of Rights policy together for the sole purpose of complying with state law was not only irresponsible, in this case, it could create a dangerous environment for some students.

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