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that, Lombard had been making some nasty, snide comments about Seymour having the background but
not the brains and know-how to do the job.
This might be a little on the shady side, to expose a potential adversary's chief supporter thwart-ing
the environmental laws. But if it gave Clayton a wedge to use in the election, then he was going to use
it. He'd been bested too many times by people without scruples.
At least he didn't take money under the table,
he thought, rationalizing his use of what Nikki would call gutter tactics. No doubt Nikki would
disapprove, if she knew. But then, he added, he would be doing the city a service, wouldn't he? And
perhaps it would make people stop hounding him about that infernal owl!
In the meanwhile, there was no reason for Nikki to know anything yet. She needed her vacation.
He wasn't going to spoil it by calling her up to tell her how he was gaining on his rival. There would
be plenty of time for that later.
He couldn't help but wonder how young Mark had managed to dig up such a tasty scandal for him. He
really would have to watch that eager young man. He was an asset.
Derrie unpacked her bags in her smal apartment and lamented about the nice dinner and play she
could have been enjoying if Clayton hadn't dragged her back to Charleston with him. He never
worked on Saturday, but he'd convinced her that tomorrow was going to be the exception and he
couldn't work without her.
Not that she cared much about the D.C. official she'd been going to share the dinner and play with. In
fact, he was something of a bore. But it had been an opportunity to show Clayton that he wasn't the
only fish swimming within hook range.
Who am I kidding, she asked her reflection in
the mirror. She had two new gray hairs among the thick blonde ones. She also had wrinkles at the
corners of her big dark blue eyes, and dark circles beneath them from lack of sleep. She'd worked for
Clayton for three years in Washington and he never noticed her at all. He was too busy enjoying the
companionship that his political standing gave him.
He was very discreet, but there were women in his life. Derrie stood on the sidelines handing him
letters to sign and reminding him of appointments, and he never did more than tease her about her
deprived social life. Which was his fault, of course, since she didn't want to go out with anyone
except her stupid boss.
The newly-elected congressman who'd taken her with him to Washington three years ago was
changing before her eyes, she asserted as she got ready for bed. He'd run for the office on a
conservation platform, but it was eroding these days. His lack of defense for the spotted owl was just
the latest in a line of uncharacteristic actions lately.
It was the first issue Derrie had braced him on, but not the first she'd opposed. He'd had angry letters
from any number of constituents about his voting record during the present session of Congress. He'd
voted against most environmental issues, ever since he'd been sleeping with Bett. He'd hired that
investigative reporter right off the local news show, and was using him to find flaws in other peoples'
characters that he could use for leverage to accrue votes for issues he championed. And he was
suddenly associating a lot with his ex-brother-in-law, Senator Mosby Torrance, an active anti
conservation and pro-liberal advocate.
He was also voting the way Torrance wanted him to on major bills. In fact, he'd introduced a couple
of bills for Torrance.
Derrie wondered if Nikki had noticed these changes in Clayton's personality. Nikki hadn't been well,
and Clayton had spent more time in Washington than ever during the past six months. It was well-
known that Bett and Senator Torrance were occasional companions. Perhaps he was using Bett to
entice Clayton. Or perhaps there was some other connection. No one knew why Nikki and Mosby had
broken up. Knowing Nikki as she did, Derrie blamed Torrance. Anyone who couldn't live with Nikki
had to be a basket case.
She climbed into bed and pulled up the covers, heartsick and demoralized. She'd never argued so
much with Clayton before. Now it seemed she was fated never to do anything else. She really must
have a long talk with Nikki about him...
Bett Watts was going over accounts on her computer when the telephone rang stridently. She reached
out a hand distractedly to pick it up.
"Bett?"
She turned away from the computer. "Yes. Hello, Mosby. What can I do for you?"
"You can tell me that you've convinced Clayton to let me handle this thing about Lombard."
"Don't worry," she said gently. "I can promise you that. I've got him right in my little fingers."
"My God, I hope so. Don't let him do anything on his own, do you understand? Nothing!"
She hesitated. "Well, certainly, I'll take care of it. But, why?"
"Never mind. I'll tell you what you need to know. Good night."
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