Page 59 of Fallen Roses

I’m irritated because there is so much work to do and Angela shrugs. “She won’t tell me, but believes you will be interested in what she has to say.”

I run my fingers through my hair and glance at the screen, noting several tabs all open, waiting for my attention. I could use a break. It may clear my head and so I nod.

“Okay, show her in.”

She disappears and a few moments later the door opens and she shows a woman who I’ve never met before into the room. At first glance, she is unobtrusive. Her trouser suit is unflattering and her hair practical, without professional attention. She is wearing minimal make-up and appears to be in her mid fifties.

“Mr. Warner.”

She is nervous and I stand, offering her my hand.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

As her hand closes inside mine, she says, “Harriet Buchanan.”

The name isn’t familiar and I wonder why she is here.

“Please take a seat, Ms. Buchanan.”

“It’s Mrs.” She smiles, but I notice how tight it is and as she takes her seat, she sits on the edge of it, her hands folded in her lap.

“How may I assist you, Mrs. Buchanan?”

She appears to take a deep breath and says nervously, “I’m taking a big chance in coming here, but I have a feeling I’m in the right place.”

I say nothing and wait for her to speak, but I lean forward because something is telling me this is important.

“I work for Governor Kenricky and have been employed by him for many years.”

Her eyes are bright and I can tell she is nervous and I say kindly, “Would you like some refreshment, Mrs. Buchanan? I can assure you there is no need to be nervous.”

“No, thank you.” She shakes her head and exhales sharply. “Please forgive me, Mr. Warner. I have been trained not to speak of my work and this is hard for me to do.”

“Then take your time, please.”

“It’s fine.”

She attempts a smile, but it’s a nervous one and she sighs deeply. “As you know, Charles is one vote away from the Whitehouse, a campaign I’ve supported for many years. We have worked tirelessly to achieve his dream, which, in turn, became our dream. However–”

She pauses and appears so upset I wonder what the hell has happened and she whispers, “I have discovered apiece of information that could be damaging to our great country.”

“Then why come here? I don’t understand.”

I’m confused, and she glances around before lowering her voice even further.

“Because it was a conversation I overheard and there is no proof.”

My heart sinks because this is a waste of my time, but I nod respectfully.

“I’m listening, Harriet.”

She smiles at my choice of her first name and appears to relax a little.

“I shouldn’t have listened, but I picked up the call at exactly the same time as the governor and was intrigued by the accent on the other end. The governor called him Boris, and they appeared to be old friends. I was about to put the phone down when this Boris man laughed, but it wasn’t a humorous one. He told the governor their plan was working and that even if the voters didn’t put him in the Whitehouse, their system would ensure he had the most votes, anyway.”

She appears utterly terrified and her voice shakes as she whispers, “The governor laughed and told this man that it was nothing they hadn’t planned for and when it happened and he was the man in charge, their two countries would end the cold war and achieve greatness together.”

She is shaking and I realize she is telling the truthbecause I can see it in her eyes and she leans forward, her voice so soft I struggle to hear it.

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