Every time she allowed herself serious thought on the subject, she was filled with conflicting emotions. Mark presented the only light and warmth in her life. Her logical mind gave her a multitude of reasons justifying an affair.
Although they’d reached a truce, Warner never touched her. But adultery still felt wrong.
“How are things going?” Carolyn asked.
Mark met her gaze. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Sorry.” She took a seat across from him. “I was wondering if you could help me with a project.”
“What type of project?”
“I’ll go into more detail later, but let’s just say we’re going to need to add a few names to our campaign payroll. Edmund once gave me a lead on some private investigators. I think it’s time we employ them. I’ve built up a little nest egg with some investments that can be used to fund them, for now.”
“What do you need investigators for?”
“You know, Mark, here in Missouri the good-old-boys run the show. And you also know, better than I how they love to hunt. Well, I’m sick of playing the part of the hunted. It’s time I turned the tables and bought myself some ammunition.” Carolyn gave him a wink, then turned and walked out of his office.
Mark watched Carolyn leave and listened to her footfalls recede down the corridor outside of his office. Then he picked up the phone and dialed a number he’d recently memorized, the office of Edmund Lane.
Edmund answered on the first ring.
“Is your offer still good?” Mark asked. Six months earlier, Edmund had approached him regarding the creation of an alliance of influential men who’d work to put Warner in the White House. Mark was flattered to be included in this elite group. Edmund referred to their organization as the “Council,” and enticed Mark with promises of a prominent future in Washington. D.C.
“Does a birddog hunt? Of course, my offer stands,” Edmund said. “You help put Warner in the White House, and the Council will take real good care of you.”
“What can I expect?”
“Depends on what you got to give, son.”
“Fair enough,” Mark said. “Do Carolyn’s plans qualify for a Cabinet post?”
“Speaking of birddogs, sounds like you might have quite a catch on your hands. What’ve you got?”
“Do we have a deal?”
“Son, the Council don’t fuck around. And I don’t like repeating myself. I told you that if you deliver, you’ll be taken care of.”
“Well,” Mark hesitated. It was time to move on, he told himself. Carolyn didn’t love him. And obviously she had no qualms about using him, so turnabout seemed only fair. “She’s making her move,” Mark said. “She wants me to hire that investigative firm you told her about.”
“Do as she asks,” Edmund replied. “We’re ready for her.”
PART II. DEBT OF DEFEAT 1996-1999
NINETEEN
Warner collapsed onto the chaise lounge in the master bedroom. He had two more engagements in the afternoon before the charity ball that evening. Could he continue at this pace? he wondered. The muscles around his mouth ached from smiling.
Carolyn was driving him hard. She insisted they attend every political and society committee meeting, every public event. And she arranged everything, down to where he sat and with whom he spoke at the receptions and banquets.
She handed him scripts to memorize, briefing him on specific points he needed to cover with the power brokers and special interest groups. She often attended the social and political functions with him. As a couple they shined, although their personal relationship remained cold and distant. They only shared a bed so the household help wouldn’t talk.
He walked into the bathroom, tossed back two aspirin, splashed cold water on his face, then patted it dry. His life had become a twisted circus. He rubbed moisturizer into the dark circles under his eyes.
Granted, he was determined to win back his senatorial seat, then take the presidency. But was it worth it? Only the next election, he realized, could render that verdict.
But my God, what a price he was paying.
Birds chirped outside Carolyn’s window, and a soft breeze whispered through the room. In her office of their temporary home. Carolyn dialed a number long since committed to memory. “Mark, it’s me. I need to speak to you regarding Mort Fields and the equity I own in his software company.”
“You have equity in Fields’s cherry project?” Mark’s incredulity echoed over the phone connection.
“Yes, didn’t I tell you?” Carolyn smiled to herself. She knew she’d never revealed this secret to anyone. Not even Mark. “I set up a dummy corporation in order to avoid drawing attention to myself. There really wasn’t much to it.”
As much as she valued Mark, never again would she allow a man to influence or control her future. However, she realized that in order to enlist his help, she’d have to disclose her financial success.
“How in the hell did you manage that?”
“I guess he was feeling generous when he offered me the opportunity to invest.”
“Generous? Mort? What did you do, exactly?”
“I know how politics can make you queasy, so let’s just leave it my little secret. All right?”
Mark hesitated. “Promise me you’ll be careful and that you won’t take any unnecessary risks.”
“Mark, there are some risks worth taking, and you know it.” Carolyn heard him sigh.
“I just worry about you, that’s all.”
His concern warmed her. “I know, and I appreciate it. But seriously, I need your help.”
“For what?”
“I own about five percent of the project, and-”
“My God, you must have made millions! That company has grown exponentially Warner must be thrilled.”
“He doesn’t know,” she admitted. “And I don’t intend to tell him. At least not yet. For now, this is strictly between us, okay?”
“Of course. I’m just surprised. Although I probably shouldn’t be. You never cease to amaze me.”
“That’s sweet, Mark, thank you.” Carolyn smiled. “Mort sends me regular corporate updates. I believe he’s being honest with me, but I need to be sure. I want you to do some follow-up work, look into Mort’s finances and verify the reports I’m receiving. With a privately held corporation, it’s easy to play with the numbers.”
“Do you think an investigation is really necessary?”
“I have to be sure the projections are accurate. Mort won’t admit it, but he leveraged himself substantially to fund this project, that’s why he gave me the opportunity to invest. He needed investors. Now, I want to be sure the company is financially solvent.”
“He’s one of the richest men in the state.”
“On paper that’s true,” Carolyn said. “But even rich men leverage their assets. Mort may over-finance this company to start his next venture. He’s built his entire empire that way. It’s not a problem for him because he has cash flow from other businesses, but I can’t afford to tie up my funds long-term. I need the money from this project for Warner’s campaign.”
“I don’t like this, Carolyn.” Mark’s voice was tense.
“It won’t hurt to check out his future projects to be sure he can cover his bets. If it looks like he’s over-extending himself, I want to sell my equity.”
“How do you propose I do this without Fields knowing? He’s not the kind of man you play around with.”
“I don’t play around, either,” Carolyn said. “I’ve got a lot of money on the line, and I need to protect it. I’m sure Fields has run checks on me. It’s the way things are done.”