Deadly Politics Read Online Free

John Russell had cut a swath through the Colorado landscape last year like a tornado over the High Plains. Russell’s message of “fresh ideas” and a strong, independent voice in a fractious Senate resonated with enough Colorado voters to hand him the victory. Of course, the nonstop bloodletting of his Democratic and Republican opponents weakened any threat from them. Russell was a millionaire business success story who’d built a small local trucking firm into a national transportation powerhouse. A true visionary turned philanthropist. That track record combined with his dynamic personality and mesmerizing speaking style had handed John Russell a crucial swing seat in the United States Senate.
    â€œYou’re kidding,” I said when I found my voice again.
    Karen chuckled. “Nope. Apparently he’s a huge fan of your father. Peter Brewster, his chief of staff, said the senator wants to model his Senate career and service after your father’s. You know, a moderate senator from a conservative state, helping to make a difference.”
    I stared at Karen once again, memories enticing me to slip back to that golden time. It was another day, and that day was gone forever. Passed away with my father. Acrimony and dissension ruled our national debates now. There was no place for politicians like my father in today’s Senate. No room for statesmen. Even iconoclastic, dynamic, mesmerizing millionaires like Russell. I shook those memories back into the bushes with the others.
    â€œKaren, you can’t be serious. I haven’t worked in politics for years now. There’s no way I’m qualified to work for any United States Senator again. Even this Russell. Especially not here in Washington. I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t. I was able to in Colorado, but not here.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t be near the Capitol, Molly,” Karen replied, a reassuring tone in her voice. “You’d be working in the senator’s Georgetown residence. As a consultant. Don’t worry. I told Peter how reticent you were about working in Washington, and he understood completely. Believe me, he’s anxious to meet you.”
    I tried to process what I’d just heard but couldn’t. “What? I’d be working at his house ? Doing what, for God’s sake?”
    â€œWho cares?” Mike exploded. “He wants to hire you!”
    â€œBut it doesn’t make any sense …” I stammered.
    Too late. My friends erupted in a chorus of “Damn, Molly!” “Are you crazy?” and “Grab it!” “Say yes, dummy.”
    Karen had mentioned the magic word. Consultant . King of Metro Washington Careers. All hail, billable hours.
    â€œThis is nuts,” I muttered. “Let’s stop the nonsense and have dinner. Didn’t I see a yummy Bordeaux on the counter? Let’s open it before Nan’s fantastic tenderloin is ruined—”
    Nan fairly leapt from her chair, empty martini glass in one hand. “Nope. Not a drop. You’re interviewing tomorrow.”
    â€œWhat? For some glorified mascot or symbol or whatever this deluded senator wants?” I gestured dismissively. “No way.”
    â€œYeah, way. You need a job, dummy,” Deb chided.
    â€œYou don’t have a choice, Molly,” Bill added. “Your mom’s retirement bills are mounting, even as we speak.”
    â€œTime to let go of all that Evil Washington crap you’ve been carrying around for years. This senator wants to hire you. What are you waiting for?” Nan threw in.
    Good question. I didn’t have an answer, or at least, a new one. They’d shot down everything else. But I tried to weasel out of it anyway. “Guys, I don’t want to get close to Washington politics again. You know that. Too many bad memories.”
    There was a momentary silence, and I held my breath. Nothing like old baggage to stop a