Deception Point Page 2

It is. Her fathers eye studied her closely.Rachel felt part of her defenses vaporize away under his esteem, and she cursed the mans power. The senators eyes were his talent a gift Rachel suspected would probably carry him to the White House. On cue, his eyes would puff up with tears, and then, an instant later, they would clear, opening a window to an impassioned soul, extending a constipate of trust to all. Its all about trust, her father always said. The senator had lost Rachels years ago, but he was quickly gaining the countrys.I have a proposal of marriage for you, Senator sexton said.Let me guess, Rachel replied, attempting to refortify her position. Some prominent divorce looking for a young wife?Dont kid yourself, honey. Youre non that young anymore.Rachel felt the familiar shrinking sensation that so often accompanied brushs with her father.I lack to throw you a life raft, he said.I wasnt aware I was drowning.Youre not. The electric chair is. You should jump ship before its too late.Havent we had this conversation? guess about your future, Rachel. You can come plough for me.I hope thats not why you asked me to breakfast.The senators veneer of calm broke ever so slightly. Rachel, cant you involve that your working for him reflects badly on me. And on my campaign.Rachel sighed. She and her father had been through this. Dad, I dont work for the President. I havent even met the President. I work in Fairfax, for Gods stakePolitics is perception, Rachel. It appears you work for the President.Rachel exhaled, trying to keep her cool. I worked too threatening to describe this job, Dad. Im not quitting.The senators eyes narrowed. You know, sometimes your selfish attitude really-Senator sexton? A newsperson materialized beside the gameboard.Sextons demeanor thawed instantly. Rachel groaned and took a croissant from the ring on the table.Ralph Sneeden, the newsperson said. Washington Post. May I ask you a few questions?The senator smiled, dabb ing his mouth with a napkin. My pleasure, Ralph. Just make it quick. I dont essential my cocoa getting cold.The reporter laughed on cue. Of course, sir. He pulled out a minirecorder and turned it on. Senator, your television ads call for legislation ensuring equal salaries for women in the body of work as well as for tax cuts for new families. Can you footnote on your rationale?Sure. Im simply a huge fan of besotted women and strong families.Rachel practically choked on her croissant.And on the subject of families, the reporter followed up, you talk a lot about education. Youve proposed some highly moot budget cuts in an effort to allocate more funds to our nations schools.I believe the children are our future.Rachel could not believe her father had sunk to quoting polish songs.Finally, sir, the reporter said, youve taken an enormous jump in the polls these quondam(prenominal) few weeks. The President has got to be worried. Any thoughts on your recent achiever?I think it ha s to do with trust. Americans are scratch line to see that the President cannot be trusted to make the tough decisions facing this nation. Runaway administration spending is putting this country deeper in debt every day, and Americans are starting to realize that its time to stop spending and start mending.Like a stay of execution from her fathers rhetoric, the pager in Rachels handbag went off. Normally the virulent electronic beeping was an unwelcome interruption, but at the moment, it sounded almost melodious.The senator glared indignantly at having been interrupted.Rachel fished the pager from her handbag and pressed a preset sequence of pentad buttons, confirming that she was indeed the person holding the pager. The beeping stopped, and the LCD began blinking. In fifteen siemenss she would receive a secure text message.Sneeden grinned at the senator. Your daughter is seemingly a busy woman. Its refreshing to see you two still develop time in your schedules to dine togeth er.As I said, family comes first.Sneeden nodded, and then his gaze hardened. Might I ask, sir, how you and your daughter manage your conflicts of interest?Conflicts? Senator Sexton cocked his thinker with an innocent look of confusion. What conflicts do you mean?Rachel glanced up, grimacing at her fathers act. She knew exactly where this was headed. infernal reporters, she thought. Half of them were on political payrolls. The reporters question was what journalists called a grapefruit a question that was supposed to look like a tough interrogative sentence but was in fact a scripted favor to the senator a slow lob pitch that her father could line up and wear out of the park, clearing the air about a few things.Well, sir The reporter coughed, feigning uneasiness over the question. The conflict is that your daughter works for your opponent.Senator Sexton exploded in laughter, defusing the question instantly. Ralph, first of all, the President and I are not opponents. We are sim ply two patriots who have incompatible ideas about how to run the country we love.The reporter beamed. He had his sound bite. And second?Second, my daughter is not employed by the President she is employed by the intelligence community. She compiles intel reports and sends them to the White House. Its a fairly low-level position. He paused and looked at Rachel. In fact, dear, Im not sure youve even met the President, have you?Rachel stared, her eyes smoldering.The pager chirped, drawing Rachels gaze to the incoming message on the LCD screen. RPRT DIRNRO STAT She decode the shorthand instantly and frowned. The message was unexpected, and most certainly bad news. At least she had her exit cue.Gentlemen, she said. It breaks my heart, but I have to go. Im late for work.Ms. Sexton, the reporter said quickly, before you go, I was wondering if you could comment on the rumors that you called this breakfast meeting to discuss the possibility of leaving your current post to work for your fa thers campaign?Rachel felt like someone had thrown hot coffee in her face. The question took her totally off guard. She looked at her father and comprehend in his smirk that the question had been prepped. She wanted to climb across the table and stab him with a fork.The reporter shoved the recorder into her face. Miss Sexton?Rachel locked eyes with the reporter. Ralph, or whoever the hell you are, get this straight I have no intention of abandoning my job to work for Senator Sexton, and if you print anything to the contrary, youll need a adapt to get that recorder out of your ass.The reporters eyes widened. He clicked off his recorder, covert a grin. Thank you both. He disappeared.Rachel immediately regretted the outburst. She had inherited her fathers temper, and she hated him for it. Smooth, Rachel. very(prenominal) smooth.Her father glared disapprovingly. Youd do well to learn some poise.Rachel began collecting her things. This meeting is over.The senator was apparently done with her anyway. He pulled out his cellphone to make a call. Bye, sweetie. Stop by the office one of these days and say hello. And get married, for Gods sake. Youre thirty-three years old.Thirty-four, she snapped. Your secretary sent a card.