Chapter 7

Renata stared at the newspaper lying on the table, cold as ice inside as she stared at the slightly blurry but still totally recognizable picture of Pamela Dressup embracing a man whom all of Washington knew as a political "fixer". He had connections to everyone from Russian mobsters to Mexican gun dealers to British information merchants. His fingers were in more dirty plots than anyone could ever count. And he was on the front page of the Post with his hands firmly cupping the ass of Pamela Dressup.

Logan swept into the kitchen with a cup of coffee in one hand and another copy of the newspaper in the other. He grinned savagely at his wife, satisfaction and triumph written all over his face. He grabbed a remote control and switched on the TV, turning the volume up so he could listen to the news people eagerly recounting the story of the abrupt fall of one of the leading candidates. Renata stared at the TV screen and realized that Logan had apparently turned all of the televisions in the penthouse on. The story was blaring from all the screens with every news personality scrambling to get their version of the salacious gossip told.

Logan set his coffee down and pulled her against him in a fierce embrace. He filled his hand with her hair and pulled her head back as he kissed her. "It's going to be a helluva day," he said, his eyes glittering with eager anticipation. "I've got to get to the office and get a statement ready. Brian's on his way to pick me up. Stay by the TV today and the phone. I'll want your opinion on some things. Gotta go."

And he was gone, leaving Renata with the feeling that a dam was about to burst. She had to be ready; this could be the beginning of a cascade of events that she hadn't expected to begin for some time yet. She shook her head at the picture of Pamela and murmured, "You didn't have any idea what you were up against, did you?" She almost pitied the woman, but she had to have known just how dirty the business of politics was. If she couldn't keep her own house in order, then she had to suffer the consequences. Now, Renata had work to do and people to contact.

The day flew by, with Logan calling several times and Renata giving him her guidance on timing and wording to the crucial statement he would be making. Renata was in favor of waiting until evening, when the coverage would be getting stale already. Logan's press conference would set it all afire again. He told his wife that he had granted his first interview to Elaine, and Renata approved. Elaine could be an important ally if they were careful. She had received a text message on her private cell phone that morning, and she sent a brief message back with instructions to the unnamed person she corresponded with. Later that day, Renata slipped out a side entrance to her building and walked a few blocks to a news stand, where she purchased an assortment of newspapers. She tucked them under her arm, adjusted her dark glasses, her face framed by the hoodie that she wore. Nobody would ever have guessed that she was the same woman they'd all seen on television, sparkling beside her handsome husband.

Back in the penthouse, Renata went to her office and put the papers on the long project table. She made sure her door was locked and the security camera in the office was turned off. She went directly to the paper she needed and opened it to find a single page tucked inside. As she studied it carefully, her eyes widened and a tiny, catlike smile played around her lips. The noose was beginning to tighten, and real action would be required soon. Butterflies fluttered in her belly, a mixture of anticipation and dread. After she finished examining the paperwork and making some careful notes, Renata put the paper in the file with the rest and locked it away in her closet. Then she went into Logan's office to search for information. Again, she locked the door and turned the security camera off before she started her search.

An hour later, Renata sat staring at a paper, unable to believe she had found it. There was a list of "donors" who were moving massive amounts of money to Logan. They were all detailed and included cryptic little notes regarding persuasion. Renata's face paled when she read Drake Chambers' name near the bottom of the list. She felt ill at the figure that was listed there and the notes that were beside it. She was struck by a wave of hatred for her husband and knew she had to get the proof she needed soon; she couldn't stand to go on with her farce of a marriage for much longer. And she desperately wanted to bring it to an end before Logan was able to collect from Drake. Renata took a picture of the list and made a paper copy as well and then she put everything back the way she had found it and turned the security camera back on as she left the office.

Logan called again to go over final plans for the press conference. "I want you with me. You need to look very serious and disappointed by Pamela's actions. We're going to show the whole country that their leaders have to be above that kind of behavior. We're going to show them that they can have a president and first lady who are worthy of their trust."

Renata felt a shudder of revulsion as he spoke, and she could hear the eagerness in his voice. He was enjoying every bit of it. She bit back the words that wanted to come and said instead, "Of course. I'll be there and properly somber. What do you need from here? Or are you coming home before showtime?"

"I'm sending someone to pick up my dark gray suit, the newest one. You can select the shirt and tie and have it ready for him. I'll need you here by five, ready to go. We hit the air at six thirty."

Renata said, "Yes, all right. I'll see you at five." She clicked off the phone and paced a little, her brain working furiously. The upcoming evening was going to be ugly, although her husband would revel in it. She steeled herself for it by thinking of the mounting pile of evidence she was collecting. Her plan was coming together nicely, and she would get through the ugliness by concentrating on the surprises that she was planning.

Logan's press conference was a huge hit. He was appropriately serious, clearly shocked by the revelations about his rival, and deeply disappointed at yet another politician caught in their own mess. Renata spoke briefly, staunchly supporting her husband, tears in her eyes when she talked about the need for integrity, the need for the people to be able to trust them. She called on the public to see that there were still good people in Washington who wanted only to work for the good of the American people. Her words were so poignant that countless people glued to their TV sets found themselves with tears in their eyes. Logan took questions from the press and then, at Renata's signal, he ended the conference at just the right moment, leaving them with plenty of material to write or talk about but still eager for more.

Logan was buoyant and exhilarated after it was over and they were alone in the VIP room with his closest campaign staff. "It was perfect! Did you see that CBS news chick with tears rolling down her face while you were talking, baby?"

Renata said smoothly, "You gave them exactly what they needed."

Brian said, "That went as well as it possibly could have. You were compassionate without excusing Pamela's behavior. It really was perfect. Renata, you were completely right about the timing. The news tomorrow would have still been all about Pamela, but now it's all going to be about Logan Wakefield and his loving, loyal wife. The people see someone they can trust, someone they can believe in. We need to prepare very carefully for the interview with Elaine."

Renata nodded and Logan calmed himself a little, pouring a glass of Scotch for each of them. They toasted the success of the press conference, and then they all sat down to discuss the upcoming interview. It was two hours later, when they finally walked into the penthouse. Logan's phone was ringing nonstop and he was distracted, telling his wife that there were a number of people he had to talk to. "Just fix me a sandwich plate, would you, baby?"

Renata breathed a sigh of relief as she fixed his plate and realized that, with a little luck, she should have the rest of the evening to herself. She made herself a salad and picked out a book from the library. The days were only going to get crazier and crazier, and she would be ready.

***

Logan's interview with Elaine went even better than they had hoped; Elaine seemed to have chosen her candidate and she was proving to be very helpful to Logan's campaign. Another debate was coming up and the poll numbers were strongly in Logan's favor. He walked into his office a few days after the interview and sat down at his desk, sorting through some paperwork that was waiting there for him. At the bottom of the pile, he found a plain, white envelope. Without thinking, he slit it open and took out the single page of paper it contained. When he read the words on the paper, his face went pale and he immediately thrust it back into the envelope. He sat there for a moment, thinking, and then he folded the envelope and tucked it into his pocket. He wasn't about to discuss it with anyone but Renata. There was no one else he would trust enough to share it with, only his wife and only in the privacy of their home. He went through the rest of his day automatically. He was distracted enough to call it a day early.

"Are you all right?" Brian asked, studying him closely.

"I'm fine," Logan said shortly. "It's just been one of those days. An early night will do us all good. Go home."

"Okay." Brian shrugged. "Tomorrow's a debate prep day. Get some rest tonight. See you in the morning."

Logan walked into the penthouse and frowned when he didn't see his wife. He went to the bedroom and took off his jacket and tie, wondering where she was. It was only a few minutes later when she walked in, carrying a bag from the market on the corner.

"Logan. You're home early. What's going on?" Renata set her bag down on the island in the kitchen and pulled off her jacket.

"Nothing's going on," Logan said irritably. "What were you doing?"

"I just wanted a few things from the market."

"You have a housekeeper to do errands like that for you. You don't need to be out walking to the store like a good little housewife. Did you have a guard with you?"

Renata said coolly, "Matt was a few steps behind, just like always. How was your day?"

"I need to show you something. Let's go into my office."

"All right. I'm going to have a glass of wine. Do you want one?"

Logan said, "Pour me a whiskey."

Renata carried the drinks into Logan's office, wondering what it was that he had to show her. He sat at his desk, staring moodily out the window, and she brought his drink over and sat down across from him. "What do you need to show me?"

He didn't answer for a moment, sipping his drink. Then he pushed the envelope toward her and said, "This was on my desk at the office, under some other paperwork."

Renata opened the envelope and pulled out the paper, reading it quickly. She set her glass down and read it again. Then she raised her eyes slowly to her husband. "What is this? What is it talking about?"

"I don't have any idea. I don't have a clue what it's about or who it could be from."

"Have you shown it to Brian?"

"No, don't be stupid. I wouldn't show something like this to anyone but you." Logan pushed his chair back and got up to pace.

"Logan, is there something I need to know? You've got to tell me. We can't be having any surprises crop up, not now."

"I know that! But I honestly don't know what this is referring to."

Renata tapped her forefinger on the desktop, thinking. "You'd better think hard, and think way back in the past. Anything that you used to get yourself ahead, anything you used against someone, anyone who gave you a hand, anyone you might owe a favor to. Think!"

"I've done nothing but think since I opened it. There's nothing. You know how careful I've been to stay clean, knowing these days were going to come. I've been getting ready for this campaign for years. I'm not about to do something to blow it."

"That's why I'm saying think way back in the past. Before me. I don't know what you were up to before we met. We have to figure this out, or we can't fight it." Renata was flushed with frustration.

Logan thought of the years before Renata briefly, then he firmly slammed the door on those thoughts. There were some things that even Renata didn't need to know. "There's nothing," he said flatly.

Renata stared at him for a long minute and then said, "Well, then. I guess there's nothing to worry about. Isn't that what they always say? If you're innocent, then you have nothing to hide. But let me tell you something, Logan. If you're hiding something, I can't help you. If you're hiding something that blows this all out of the water, I'm not going down with you. You'll be on your own. I can play the shocked, wounded woman to perfection. Don't fuck this up."

Logan had an ugly look on his face. "You're my wife. Where I go, you go too. They'd never believe you weren't part of it."

Renata gave him a look of contempt. "You're not stupid enough to believe that. Do you remember the night of the press conference? The whole country was moved by my sincerity and compassion. When I reluctantly explain how my husband betrayed and used me, they'll be even more moved. So you'd better think long and hard about your past and what you need to tell me." For just a moment, she could see him waver. But then a curtain fell over his face and his expression hardened.

"I told you, there's nothing."

"Fine." Renata picked up her glass of wine and started for the door.

"Aren't you going to do something about this?" Logan was on his feet, holding the sheet of paper.

"No. There's nothing for me to do. You say there's nothing in your past to worry about; so be it." She left the room.

Logan stared after her and muttered, "Bitch." He stayed in his office for a long time with the door closed. He paced and thought, muttering to himself. He finally picked up his phone and made a brief call. The person on the other end promised to meet him the next day and Logan locked the cryptic letter in his desk and settled down to watch the news programs.

In her room, Renata was doing her own pacing. It didn't disturb her to see Logan being threatened, not for his sake. But she was very disturbed by the possibility that someone else was meddling in something she had worked so hard on. She thought carefully, wondering if it was possible that the feds were working on the same corruption that she'd been documenting. Or if it was something much more nefarious and, therefore, much more dangerous. She was going to have to be more vigilant about everything she did. She was definitely spooked by the anonymous letter. Finally, she made a short phone call of her own, setting up a meeting for the next day.