3. 1100 AM
THREE
11:00 AM
THE LEAD
I rush into the open plan workspace that is our campaign office. It’s eleven am already, and I haven’t accomplished anything, except probably laying the foundations for a migraine later today. I can already feel it building at my temples.
All eyes snap to me as I pass through the room. Phone conversations are halted, and Beth tentatively gets up from her desk that’s strategically positioned outside my own private office.
Stopping, I address my campaign team. “These headlines will not prevent us from winning tonight. We’ve a substantial lead and are the right people for the job. Have faith and carry on. All this article has done is create a bit more work for us, but that will make the victory all the more sweeter.”
Everyone gets to their feet and starts clapping. Nodding my appreciation, I continue into my office and flick a button to set the internal glass to opaque so no one can see in. Beth follows me inside and closes the door behind her.
“Fucking bastard. He just can’t handle the fact he’s going to lose, so he’s playing dirty.” She slams her fist onto my desk. “I really wish I could…I don’t know. Castration is too good for him.”
“Public flogging seems appropriate,” I respond with a smile.
“You okay?” Beth asks, a look of concern on her face.
“Lincoln has been a thorn in my side since I first started working in government. I remember our first meeting. He looked me up and down and judged me, then and there, because I wasn’t wearing a designer suit. He decided I wasn’t worth worrying about, and his prejudice has clouded his view of me ever since. He shouldn’t be working in this sector. He should be running some cutthroat business where all he does all day is hire and fire people and make money. A man of his character shouldn’t be serving those who are less fortunate.”
I sit down on the chair at my desk, having finished my rant, and let out a long groan of frustration.
“And that’s why we’re going to win and get rid of Mayor Weston and Lincoln Caldwell tonight,” Beth proudly announces.
I give her a wry smile before opening the bottom drawer of my desk and turning my attention to the envelope hidden inside. I stare at it, fearing that if I make use of its contents, everything I value and have been working for will explode into flames and burn down around me.
Am I really going to do this?
It might be the only way.
“What is it?” Beth asks, following my line of sight.
“A few weeks ago, I was sent some incriminating information in relation to Mayor Weston. Evidently, he’s been involved in illegal land-grabs for development. He’s also been accepting bribes from one of the companies bidding for the contracts.” I sigh as I open the drawer and pull out the letter. It’s typed and not signed, so there’s nothing to link it to anyone, and it’s written on nondescript printing paper. I hand it to Beth so she can read the contents. “I’ve sat on it because I wanted to beat Weston the fair way. After I won the election, I planned to disclose the evidence and have him arrested and charged, but I’m worried about this latest ploy from Lincoln. I might need to use the information before the voting begins.”
Beth carefully reads the letter.
“Wow, this is certainly inflammatory!” she exclaims, puffing out her cheeks. “Have you researched this? Checked whether it’s correct?”
I shake my head. “After I read it, I put it in my drawer in the save-for-later pile.”
“You have a pile!” Her eyes widen.
“Maybe,” I respond. “But this is the most important thing in it.”
“Okay, we’ll deal with the rest later. First, we need to decide what we’re going to do about the contents of this letter. No doubt, it’s our ticket to winning. This is completely illegal, and if it’s true, Weston will end up in prison. But it’s an anonymous letter and pure speculation. What do you suggest we do about it?”
“I think there’s only one thing we can do. We need to go to City Hall and check the relevant documents and finance records. Look for proof.”
I glance down at my watch. Eleven fifteen. The day is flying by, and I haven’t accomplished anything yet.
“I’ll go,” Beth offers. “You do what you need to do here.”
I shake my head. “No, we’ll both go. I’ve got to figure this out in order to understand it all. I just wish I knew where the letter came from.”
Beth hands the letter back to me, and I briefly study it, hoping a clue will jump out at me, but there’s nothing obvious. I place it back in the drawer, making sure it’s secure, and get up from my desk.
“Come on let’s go,” I urge. “We haven’t got any time to waste. I need to be back at three to prepare for the rally. We are going to win, no matter what. Lincoln Caldwell be damned. If he wants to play dirty, then it’s about time I join him on the dark path he’s chosen.”