Broken Worlds Super Boxset Read Online Free Page A
Author: James Hunt
statement to make sure the public knows where you stand,” said Beth, Smith's chief of staff, press secretary, and legal adviser. Smith used to have someone in each position, but none of them performed to the level that Beth could.
“We'll have to watch the timing of that. Jones has done a good job keeping this quiet, and I don't want to cause unneeded panic if we're able to squash this thing before it starts,” Smith said.
Not a single strand of hair moved as Beth’s trademark blond bun slightly bounced to the rhythmic click of her high heels against the Capitol steps. The way she pulled her hair back tight displayed the sharpness of her cheekbones and chin more prominently. She had served with the congressman since his first election. She was the only other person in the world Smith trusted as much as his wife.
“You think he'll try and swing the sympathy vote for this?” Beth asked.
“People are scared, Beth. He'll use that fear to his advantage.”
“Ballsy,” Beth answered.
Jake opened the congressman's car door, and Smith stepped inside. The leather seats squeaked as he sat down.
“I have the meeting set up for two o’clock this afternoon,” Jake said.
“That doesn't give us a lot of time before the vote,” Smith replied.
“I know, but you'll be the last voice they hear right before, so make it resonate.”
Jake shut the door, and the driver pulled away. Smith looked over to see Beth smiling as she worked the screen of her tablet.
“Is it just me, or is he turning into you more every day?” Smith asked.
“Somebody has to take care of you when I'm not around,” Beth said.
“You're not going to divorce me, are you?”
“Only on the day you don't get reelected.”
Smith knew it wasn't a joke. Beth didn't have a reputation for staying with anyone who wasn't worth a damn. The fact that Beth recognized he was still useful made him appreciate her more.
“This is a dangerous move, David,” Beth said.
“It's a necessary move.”
“As your chief of staff, it's my job to inform you when your mouth is writing checks your ass can't cash, and this is one of them. You won't be able to get the votes you need to overturn this thing, and by resisting it, you're going to put a target on your back the size of Texas.”
Buildings, people, and cars all passed by them as their driver maneuvered the streets of DC. They drove past one of the trees allowed in the city by the water restrictions. The trees were few and far between, and the ones that remained barely carried any vegetation.
Trees weren't the only sparse commodity in the city. The grass of the National Mall was gone. It had been paved over with concrete four years ago, another sign of changing times and dwindling natural resources.
He'd been fighting for better water rights for years. There were methods by which the nation could have all the fresh water it needed, but they were blocked by certain individuals afraid to lose what money and power they held.
“I remember the first term I was elected. Remember that? When we arrived here, everything seemed so pristine, so grandiose. I thought DC was the most beautiful city I'd ever seen,” Smith said.
“That was over twenty years ago.”
“We can bring it back, Beth. I know we can.”
Smith felt Beth's hand grab his, and she squeezed. He turned from the window to look at her. She was shaking her head. A shadow of a smile was trying to break through.
“Well, it can't be harder than '03,” Beth said.
The driver rolled down the partition.
“We're here, Congressman,” he said.
Smith reciprocated Beth's squeeze.
“Let's get ready,” Smith said.
***
Congressman Daniel Hunter stood behind his desk, bent over, examining the proposal for Jones's bill. He had to read it a few times just to numb the shock of what Jones was proposing.
It wasn't just
“We'll have to watch the timing of that. Jones has done a good job keeping this quiet, and I don't want to cause unneeded panic if we're able to squash this thing before it starts,” Smith said.
Not a single strand of hair moved as Beth’s trademark blond bun slightly bounced to the rhythmic click of her high heels against the Capitol steps. The way she pulled her hair back tight displayed the sharpness of her cheekbones and chin more prominently. She had served with the congressman since his first election. She was the only other person in the world Smith trusted as much as his wife.
“You think he'll try and swing the sympathy vote for this?” Beth asked.
“People are scared, Beth. He'll use that fear to his advantage.”
“Ballsy,” Beth answered.
Jake opened the congressman's car door, and Smith stepped inside. The leather seats squeaked as he sat down.
“I have the meeting set up for two o’clock this afternoon,” Jake said.
“That doesn't give us a lot of time before the vote,” Smith replied.
“I know, but you'll be the last voice they hear right before, so make it resonate.”
Jake shut the door, and the driver pulled away. Smith looked over to see Beth smiling as she worked the screen of her tablet.
“Is it just me, or is he turning into you more every day?” Smith asked.
“Somebody has to take care of you when I'm not around,” Beth said.
“You're not going to divorce me, are you?”
“Only on the day you don't get reelected.”
Smith knew it wasn't a joke. Beth didn't have a reputation for staying with anyone who wasn't worth a damn. The fact that Beth recognized he was still useful made him appreciate her more.
“This is a dangerous move, David,” Beth said.
“It's a necessary move.”
“As your chief of staff, it's my job to inform you when your mouth is writing checks your ass can't cash, and this is one of them. You won't be able to get the votes you need to overturn this thing, and by resisting it, you're going to put a target on your back the size of Texas.”
Buildings, people, and cars all passed by them as their driver maneuvered the streets of DC. They drove past one of the trees allowed in the city by the water restrictions. The trees were few and far between, and the ones that remained barely carried any vegetation.
Trees weren't the only sparse commodity in the city. The grass of the National Mall was gone. It had been paved over with concrete four years ago, another sign of changing times and dwindling natural resources.
He'd been fighting for better water rights for years. There were methods by which the nation could have all the fresh water it needed, but they were blocked by certain individuals afraid to lose what money and power they held.
“I remember the first term I was elected. Remember that? When we arrived here, everything seemed so pristine, so grandiose. I thought DC was the most beautiful city I'd ever seen,” Smith said.
“That was over twenty years ago.”
“We can bring it back, Beth. I know we can.”
Smith felt Beth's hand grab his, and she squeezed. He turned from the window to look at her. She was shaking her head. A shadow of a smile was trying to break through.
“Well, it can't be harder than '03,” Beth said.
The driver rolled down the partition.
“We're here, Congressman,” he said.
Smith reciprocated Beth's squeeze.
“Let's get ready,” Smith said.
***
Congressman Daniel Hunter stood behind his desk, bent over, examining the proposal for Jones's bill. He had to read it a few times just to numb the shock of what Jones was proposing.
It wasn't just
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