Power Curve Read Online Free Page B

for herself, Shaw funneled campaign money her way. And as he was fond of saying, “Money is the mother’s milk of politics.” He often regretted that he hadn’t said it originally.
    When Turner swamped her opposition in the next election and carried two other candidates with her, all thanks to Shaw, the bell disappeared. Turner was on the road to power, and Shaw was the force behind her.
    Shaw stroked the bell’s ebony handle. Then he picked it up and rang it. Turner looked at him, and all the warmth and nostalgia of that time was back. “That was a long time ago,” she murmured.
    Shaw knew she was listening now. “Mizz President, we’ve got problems with the press. It was the women reporters leading the attack, not the men.” Turner was silent, and Shaw knew he could continue. “You’re not one of the sisters anymore. For them, you’ve gone over,become part of the establishment. They’re sending you a message.”
    “What’s the message, Patrick?”
    “Stay a sister, advocate the issues that are important to us or we will nail you. Mizz President, I know how you feel about the feminist movement, but you’re the president of everyone now. You’ve got to move beyond it.”
    Turner tilted her head and looked at him. “OK, Pat. What’s the real angle?”
    Shaw sprawled on the couch opposite her and dropped his chin on his chest. “There’s a stridency in any militant movement that turns the voters off. You’ve got to disassociate yourself from any group not near the center.”
    “Especially one that can be called bitchy,” she added.
    Shaw grinned. “Your word, Mizz President, not mine. But you saw one at work today.”
    “Or maybe she was being a good reporter,” Turner replied. “Don’t worry about it—not yet.” She looked at him. “Where was General Bender? I didn’t see him at the press conference.”
    So that’s why she wanted to see me , Shaw thought. Why is she worried about him? What’s the connection there? “Ah, he did an interview or two and took off. Itchy feet.” He paused, wondering if this was the time to get rid of the stiff, reserved officer. “Mizz President, he doesn’t have anything to do, so put him out of his misery. Send him back to the Pentagon. There’s really no place for him on your staff.”
    “So he’s bored?”
    “Stiffly.”
    “Then give him something to do.” No answer from Shaw. “No suggestions? Well then, tell him I want a detailed briefing on what’s going on in the Far East. I haven’t got the slightest idea what the Chinese are up to.”
    So she was reading the briefing book on China , he thought. He would have to spend some time reading it. “Rawlings or Murchison can do that for you.” William Rawlings was the national security advisor and Clement Murchison, the secretary of state she had inherited from the former president.
    “I also want to know what my military options are.”
    “That’s Overmeyer’s job.” General Overmeyer was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “He’s very territorial and—”
    “It will give Bender something to do,” Turner interrupted.
    Shaw smiled. He knew when to capitulate. “Can do. Mr. General Robert Bender is going to be one busy man. Anything else, Mizz President?”
    She shook her head, dismissing him. He headed for the door. Her voice stopped him. “Patrick, did you put Liz Gordon on the Do Not Admit list?” He nodded. “Take her off.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” he said, closing the door behind him. He whistled a tuneless melody as he ambled back to his office. He filed away a few more pieces of information in his mental computer about Madeline O’Keith Turner. For some reason, she wanted to keep Bender around and was concerned about China. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman would be interested in that.
    He was vaguely aware that it was dark outside when he entered his office in the West Wing. His long-suffering secretary was still there, waiting for him with the