Hotchins pondered the comment for a few moments and then laughed. ‘All right,’ be said.
DeLaroza laughed with him. He puffed on the cigar again, then said, ‘Now, what are the complications?’
It was Hotchins’s turn to raise his eyebrows. ‘Complications? Who said anything about complications?’
‘My friend, there are always complications.’
Hotchins rubbed his hands together but said nothing.
‘1 would guess,’ said DeLaroza, ‘that it is money.’
‘You’re a mind reader.’
‘Not really. The last thing one always discusses is the price.’
Hotchins’s blue eyes grew colder. He looked DeLaroza hard in the eyes. ‘The price is two million dollars.’
The big man said nothing for a few minutes. He puffed on the Havana, savouring the taste of the smoke on his tongue, letting the smoke ease from his lips, watching it race towards the concealed exhaust vents. Then be said, ‘Is this Lowenthal’s estimate?’
Hotchins nodded.
‘He’s low,’ DeLaroza said.
‘Low?’
‘Yes, low. According to our computer, it will take four point six million. That is, of course, considering all the variables. Possible run-offs, et cetera. Add on a ten per cent contingency, over five million.’
Hotchins chewed his lips. He looked out the window of the car, staring around the tomblike interior of the parking lot. A Honda pulled in and stopped and a hassled suburban wife lifted a crying child from the car, then dragged him along behind her towards the elevators.
‘I know what you are thinking, DeLaroza said, ‘you are thinking how could Lowenthal make such a sizeable error. Correct?’
‘It crossed my mind.’
‘It is simple. The last time he was involved in a campaign was ‘68. In ‘72 his man lost in the primary, but principle was Involved. We cannot fault him there. The point is, it is eight years since he was involved in a campaign that went all the way. Inflation. New Methods. The cost of television, newspaper advertising, all rising every day. Many things could account for the discrepancy. He is not an accountant. His political acumen is beyond value. With his friends, you have a package worth more than a million dollars. You probably could not buy them for that.’
‘You can’t buy them at all,’ Hotchins said.
‘I would tend to doubt that. It is naive, but also immaterial. We have them, that is what is important.’ He paused, then mused aloud, ‘Five million dollars. A lot of money.’
‘Yes,’ Hotchins said. ‘Now we have some strong bank commitments and...’
DeLaroza held up a hand. ‘Donald, . . Donald, wait. I said a lot of money. I did not say too much money. You have relied on my financial advice for what — sixteen years now? Are you getting nervous because the price is going up?’
‘It has to be done carefully,’ Hotchins said. ‘You know the rules of disclosure. If Fitzgerald can turn up anything
‘Please,’ DeLaroza said, ‘do not tell the bunter how to load his gun.’
Hotchins stopped. Then be patted DeLaroza on the knee. ‘Sorry,’ he said.
‘The money is my problem,’ DeLaroza said. ‘There is this other thing.’
‘It can wait,’ Hotchins said quickly.
‘No, I think not.’
‘It can wait!’
‘No.’
The muscles in the corners of Hotchins’s jaw quivered, then grew rigid. The fiat, hard tone returned to his ‘voice. ‘It is personal, Victor.’
‘It is a dangerous thing now. Before it was merely risky. I could understand it. I know that kind of hunger. But...’
‘It’s still my business.’
‘I have never risked five million dollars on you before, Donald.’
‘Ah, so now I find out where the strings are.’
‘Have there ever been strings attached before?’
‘No. But I knew there must be a price. Sooner or later there had to be a price. I guess now is as good a time as any to settle that.’
‘You are getting off the subject.’
‘This is the subject.’
‘You are getting angry,’ DeLaroza said.
‘You’re damn right. We’re getting into my personal life —‘
‘You have no personal life any more.’
‘Half the politicians in Washington have mistresses.’
‘Half the politicians in Washington are not running for president.’
‘Jesus!’
‘Donald, we are friends. After all it was 1 who introduced you to the woman. I saw the need. Understood it. But now it must wait until after the election.’
‘You think she’s going to wait around until after the election? Hell, you know her better than that, Victor. Besides, it’s not just me, it’s the idea of me that fascinates her.’
DeLaroza nodded. ‘I am glad-you realize that,’ he said.
‘It would he a sign of weakness, asking her to sit in the wings until the election’s over.’
My friend, when you are in the Oval Office, you will have anything you wish. Women will be at your call.’
But I need her now, Hotchins thought to himself. ‘I’m not talking about women,’ he said, ‘I’m talking about her.’
‘Are you in love with her?’
‘Possibly. No, not really. Not in the dramatic sense. But in a way I . . . hell, I don’t know. Don’t push me. Don’t pu.th me.’
DeLaroza scowled. He was on dangerous ground and he knew it, Now was not the time to start pulling the strings. And yet, the issue was crucial to him. ‘Am I to believe that you would risk something like this for a piece of ass?’ be said.
Hotchins glowered at him, his face red, anger boiling in his eyes. ‘What was that?’ he demanded.
DeLaroza shook his head violently and waved his hand in the air. ‘I am sorry,’ he said quickly. ‘That was a foolish remark. Forgive it.’
They sat without speaking and the minutes crept by. Finally DeLaroza said, ‘We will drop it for now. I did not mean to cause harsh words. I was speaking as one friend to another. Just promise rue that you will consider it. Think about it. Will you do that?’ It annoyed him to patronize Hotchins, but he sensed two egos keening the air like duelling swords.
‘Sure,’ Hotchins said, ‘I’ll think about it.’
More silence.
Hotchins felt boxed in, but the furies began to settle down inside him. Perhaps DeLaroza was right. And yet he had never known anyone like her. Her sexuality had given him a new vigour, a vitality that he had missed for years. It was not a motivation; it was fuel for the motivation. And yet if giving her up was part of the key to winning
‘Let us get back to the money,’ DeLaroza said. ‘We have commitments from individual contributors for almost a million dollars. I can call them in today. In the meantime I can make the funds available through my own accounts. Immediately if necessary. Oh, don’t worry, it will be done properly. Nothing would ever appear as a loan.’
Hotchins held up a hand. ‘I trust you, Victor. I am sure it will be done in a way that’s above. . .‘ He started to say ‘suspicion’ but quickly changed it to ‘reproach’. He sank back in the seat. His shoulders drooped and he sighed. ‘I’m sorry too,’ he said. He held out his hand and they shook.
‘There will be many anxious times,’ DeLaroza said. ‘I sometimes forget that we are both emotional men.’
‘It’s forgotten,’ Hotchins said. ‘Look. I’ve got to get back. It’s hard for me to get away at all these days, even for a few minutes. They want an itinerary when I go to the bathroom.’
‘Get used to it,’ DeLaroza said. ‘Your private days are about over.’
‘I’ll be in touch,’ Hotchins said. ‘Thanks.’
He left the car and DeLaroza settled back. The smile vanished from his face. He sat deep in thought for several minutes. Yes, his private days are over, he thought, and so are mine. Thirty years of living in shadows and now, in a few short days, the recognition he bad needed for so long would be his. He had built an empire and was about to create a king and now, finally, he would have what be deserved — applause. An ovation! The plan to emerge from his self.. imposed cell of secrecy had started forming in his mind when he met Hotchins. It bad taken sixteen years to gestate. Sixteen years. And now the blood hammered in his temples. Four more days.