Page 30 of Revisions

“She alsoknowsJessica. Jess isn’t afraid of a little mudslinging—or mud wrestling.”

I raise a brow at Cassidy.

“Stop,” Cassidy says, chuckling. “You knowexactlywhat I mean.”

“I suppose I do.”

“I realize you need to take the high ground.”

“We can’t afford to lose the next election, Cass. There’s too much at stake. The fact that anyone would consider Lawson as my opponent tells me more than I want to know. They aim to dismantleeverythingmy administration has initiated. And I think we both know they won’t stop there.”

I feel a headache coming on. My differences with former opponents have always been apparent. Until the Republicans nominated Bradley Wolfe, I never worried about continuity—not when it came to foreign policy and essential services. Even Wolfe’s rhetoric and social policies troubled me. Bradley Wolfe has business interests across continents. I don’t like or agree with what he stands for, but he would not have been easily led to conclusions—not when dealing with foreign policy or the country's economic health. The legacy he envisioned for himself is monumentally different from my vision. Wolfe would not be easily manipulated—by people in his orbit or beyond. I suspect he would have sought to roll back civil rights, and his policies would have added to the economic strain on working-class families. He would have countered anythingtooextremist. Knowing that he removed Lawson Klein from his inner circle is all the proof I need to believe Wolfe would have remained closer to the center than many of his allies would have preferred. Klein won’t.

Lawson isn’t guided by logic—not even by a logic I find abhorrent. He’s driven by anger and a warped sense of entitlement. Worse, he doesn’t realize that he’s someone’s puppet. He believes he’s in control. Maintaining independence at this level of politics is no easy task. There are both direct and indirect “allies” with constant expectations. Unless you are clear—I mean with crystal transparency—that you will not be beholden to donors or advocates, you quickly find yourself at their beck and call. Whoever is behind Lawson Klein’s political ascension expects nothing less than his adherence totheirgoals.The amount of foreign money filtering to his cause is more than worrisome—it’s alarming.

“Candace?” Cassidy asks.

“I’ve seen this once,” I tell Cassidy. “When John was running for president. There was so much foreign money filtering into the campaigns?—”

“I know,” Cassidy says.

“They play alonggame,” I say.

“The Republicans?”

“No. It isn’t partisan—not really. The people who want me out and Lawson in are the same people who wanted John Merrow removed from office to install Larry Strickland.”

“God, Strickland was slimy.”

I laugh. “John never wanted him as a running mate. He compromised for money. Choosing Larry brought his campaign a much-needed surge of funds. God only knows what would have happened if Don hadn’t won the primaries. A full term with Lawrence Strickland as president? I don’t want to imagine the damage.”

“I get it.”

“The truth is, Cassidy, I was fortunate to be elected. Don’t say anything. Wolfe wasn’t the best candidate—he lacked political instincts. He was too dry, frankly. And, like it or not, politics is like a wrestling match. People are drawn in by colorful personalities. Most of the time, there isn’t a hero and a villain; it’s the donkey versus the elephant. Klein will turn it into a blood sport. Iknowhe will portray me as the devil, and there will be no line too far to cross.”

“It seems like it would be easier sometimes, doesn’t it?” Cassidy asks. “Being the villain.”

“You have no idea how many times I’ve envied him. Not forwhohe is, but for how who he is becomes permission for hisbehavior. I’d love to retaliate,” I admit. “With a string of colorful expletives.”

Cassidy laughs. “I know you’re reluctant to let Jess use her oppositional research on Klein.”

“It’s a slippery slope. There’s a risk to everything.”

“True. Jessica Stearns is the best at what she does, Candace.Youknow that. She understands the court of public opinion better than almost anyone I know. She knows how to mold a jury. You can’t keep her at bay. You need her. And we both know she will do anything for you.”

I nod.

“She doesn’t need your protection,” Cassidy says.

“No. But she deserves my caution. People haven’t been fair to Jess. Their loyalty to me blinded them. Don’t misunderstand me. It hurt. Knowing she was cheating on me hurt—confronting it day after day in the press was brutal. Maybe, on some level, she wanted to hurt me. Deep down, I think she just wanted me to pay attention.”

Cassidy grasps my hand. “I see the ghosts in your eyes,” she says. “You’re worried about JD and the kids—about what all the ugliness will bring. You need to let people fightforyou once in a while, not justwithyou. And as much as you might want to fly home and curl up with JD, I think you need to behere—boring candidates and all. You’ll see her tomorrow.”

Cassidy is right. I’m about to reply when Luke enters the room again. He’s flushed.

“I don’t want to know,” I tell Luke.

“You’re not going to the rally.”

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