A Primary Decision

by Dr. Kevin Leman

  In February, Sarah had won the New Hampshire primary with an astounding 11 percent margin over Spencer Rich, and the Iowa Republican caucus with a 7 percent lead. In March, she’d nailed an 8 percent lead in Colorado and a 14 percent lead in Virginia, and won Illinois with an 18 percent lead. She’d also received startling support at the Republican Party convention in D.C. In April, she’d led by 17 percent in Pennsylvania and 22 percent in her home state of New York.

  Will scanned the most recent May news headlines about Sarah.

  A Voice of Reason in the Political Realm

  Now Neck and Neck with President Rich in the Race

  Focused on Real People, Real Issues

  A Trusted Advocate for Minorities and the Disadvantaged

  Young Voters Turn Out in Groundbreaking Numbers to Support Sarah Worthington

  Photos appeared on a daily basis of Sarah visiting everyday people—an African American church in Georgia, a steel workers’ plant in Philadelphia, a politics forum at Stanford University, a farmers union in Iowa, an orphanage in New Jersey. Sean was doing his job well. Sarah was the candidate people of all backgrounds could talk to—one who would care about them and their needs.

  She wasn’t a politician who kissed babies just to get votes. Sarah was real. Though she’d been raised in privilege, not only had she rubbed shoulders with people in nearly every stratum of life in America and across the globe, but she had worked to understand them, find common ground with them.

  Will smiled. She’d always been like that. Sarah shone even more brightly when under fire.

  Just like now.

  INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

  Sean scanned Sarah’s upcoming schedule. For the last part of April and early May, they were focusing on Indiana, West Virginia, Oregon, and Washington. For the rest of May, they’d focus on California and New Jersey, then circle back to New York, Colorado, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

  Their goal was to knock President Rich out of the race by July, in time for a single-minded Republican focus at the conventions.

  Sean and Sarah were both highly aware that no one became president by winning the national popularity contest. She had to nail 270 or more electoral college votes to accomplish that.

  The truth was that presidential elections were now fought and won in just seven states—Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, and New Hampshire. So those swing states would be the ones they concentrated on the rest of the campaign. The votes of the other 43 states had been largely preordained since John F. Kennedy’s era as either Democrat or Republican.

  Not unexpectedly, the media at first had a field day with a Worthington emerging as a Republican. Bill, Will, and Sean all experienced vitriolic phone conversations with colleagues who couldn’t understand Sarah’s choice.

  Sean winced. Kiki Estrada in particular had some choice things to say, and rightfully so. But she was also enough of a professional and long-range strategist that he’d managed to complete the conversation with her in a professional manner.

  As a staunch Democrat himself, Bill still struggled with Sarah’s choice to run as a Republican. But Will and Sean had gradually worn him down to understand that Sarah’s core values and leanings were much more Republican. Also, within that camp she had the opportunity to make a tremendous impact—even change the very nature of the political race.

  With Worthington money and power, the influence of their vast network of colleagues, and Rich’s alarming decline in the polls and the impeachment proceedings, Sarah Worthington was a shoo-in for the top Republican candidate.

  Unless anything is revealed that could sway her to step out of the race, Sean thought.

  He narrowed his eyes. That had already happened to their family. It would never happen again, at least not on Sean’s watch.

  With the stakes upped, they needed to carve out the time for a family meeting. His mother and father needed to know about the photos. Sarah needed to know what had happened between Ava and Thomas.

  He sighed. Neither were secrets that could be revealed by phone. They required a face-to-face meeting. But that was harder than it sounded with the Worthingtons. Will was still in the throes of a massive investigation by DHS and the FBI over the foreign funds. He personally had been cleared, but that didn’t mean the stress was much less. With Sean and Sarah on the campaign trail, they’d only been able to carve out the couple of weeks for Sean’s wedding and honeymoon in late June and early July. It meant an even faster-paced schedule, though, in the meanwhile, since they’d be missing a critical window in the campaign.

  Still, the Worthingtons needed to find the time—soon.

  Sarah stood looking out the large plate-glass window at the crowd below that had gathered to meet her. So much had happened in less than a year that it was sometimes difficult to believe it.

  She’d taken on the attorney general position, all the while harboring her secret dream—to become not only the youngest president of the United States but the first female. Now, if the primary state polls were any indication, she was on her way to doing exactly that.

  Even in the tumult of her campaign, she’d managed to keep tabs on the impeachment process. It was still proceeding. If the president was removed from office before the end of his term, the vice president would become president automatically in the interim, before the newly elected president took office. In this case, it would be disaster for America, as the current vice president didn’t have what it took to be a sitting president. Spencer Rich was many things, Sarah thought woefully, and she didn’t like most of them. But the man at least made decisions, unlike his waffling vice president.

  The chief justice of the court was now presiding over the president’s trial, with all 100 senators in a private session as the jury. Two-thirds of the Senate had to vote for a conviction.

  Sarah knew the odds. No president in American history had ever been removed from office.

  Bill Clinton had been impeached by the House on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice but was acquitted by the Senate.

  Nixon, though impeached over the Watergate break-in, had resigned before he could be removed.

  Andrew Johnson had been impeached due to some post–Civil War issues but was acquitted by one vote and remained in office.

  Congress’s resolution to impeach John Tyler had failed.

  But Sarah also knew what Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution said:

  The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

  A simple majority could vote to prohibit Spencer Rich from holding any public office in the future. He could be convicted of bribery, violation of public trust, and real criminality—breaking laws, abusing his power, and employing the power of the office for personal gain. Using foreign money to influence a US campaign was treason itself. That it came from ISIS should be the final nail in the coffin by law and also in the eyes of the public.

  She sighed. The results of the impeachment were not in her control. She had done all she could in that regard when she was attorney general.

  “Ready, sis?” Sean asked from behind her.

  She swiveled to face him. “Always.”

  With determination, she swept out of the room and down the stairs toward the waiting crowd.

  40

  NEW YORK CITY

  “Mom, you sure you want to do that?”

  Once again, Will found himself treading lightly on relational matters. He hated it. Business was easy. Personal was just that—personal. It wasn’t his forte.

  “Thomas is our oldest friend and Sean’s father. I didn’t invite him to the wedding. Sean did,” she said defensively.

  So Thomas and Sean made their peace—at least for now, Will reflected. Sean hadn’t said much about that, except for a slight reference to father and son meeting in person for a short discussion.

  “Does Dad know?” Will as
ked.

  “Yes, he understands. But he doesn’t like it.”

  Will could imagine. It would be the first time the two old best friends had seen each other in years, with the woman they both loved sandwiched between them.

  “What about Sarah?”

  “She only knows that Thomas is on the guest list as your father’s and my closest friend from university.”

  “Mom,” he warned, “that’s pretty risky. Especially if any news of that leaks to the media.”

  “Don’t use that tone with me. I am fully aware of the risks,” she announced with a voice he couldn’t argue with, so he didn’t try. “But I must do this for Sean . . . and for Thomas. It would be unconscionable not to.”

  He knew his mother would defend Sean to her dying day—because of her love for him and because of her guilt. This was one way to deal with a portion of the guilt that she would feel for a lifetime. He backed down. “Okay.”

  But her actions further reinforced his resolve. His mother could never know about the threat that loomed over their family—that Sean’s name could potentially be linked to the Polar Bear Bomber. She’d already been through enough and was more fragile than she looked.

  Will had to protect her at all costs.

  CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION

  The evening before the wedding, the Worthington and Simons families, plus Elizabeth and Leo Shapiro, gathered at the Athenaeum Hotel in Chautauqua Institution for a celebratory meal. Jon, Thomas, and Darcy couldn’t make dinner, but they would arrive the next day to board the Summer Wind in the single-stop-sign town of Celoron.

  As Sean held his soon-to-be bride’s hand, he glanced around the room and sighed gratefully.

  Elizabeth’s eyes met his. “Your family,” she whispered, “and mine too. We’re both really fortunate, you know that?”

  Indeed, he knew that. Even more, he knew he belonged.

  The day of the wedding, Sarah propped her hands on the railing of the Summer Wind. The sleek, 130-passenger, state-of-the-art, all-white yacht was perfect for viewing the beauty of Lake Chautauqua. The wedding itself would be on the semi-open upper admiral’s deck of the two-story boat. The small reception would be catered in the luxurious dining salon. The deck was decorated simply with white ribbon, baby’s breath, and white roses. Elizabeth had said they didn’t need any more than that, with the natural beauty surrounding them.

  Sean always said he felt most at home on the water. It was also the place Elizabeth felt most comfortable. So the location made perfect sense.

  It was the first wedding Sarah had been to in several years. In the beautiful and quiet surroundings, she suddenly missed Jon. Since the day he had told her he was breaking the story, they hadn’t been in contact. He was giving her the wide berth she’d asked for, she knew. He would be respectful like that.

  As time passed and she grew busier with the campaign, it had been easier to use her fast track as an excuse not to contact him. But it didn’t mean she didn’t miss their friendship.

  Now, as he boarded the Summer Wind, she felt a twinge of regret. That day she had acted in haste, out of emotion. If she could go back and do anything differently . . .

  In that instant, he spotted her and moved toward her. “Sarah,” he said simply. “You’ve certainly had a lot to deal with. It’s good to see you.”

  Any awkwardness was wiped away. His eyes rested on her warmly. It’s all right, they said. I understand. She nearly sagged in relief.

  Throughout the short but meaningful ceremony, Jon stayed by her side, his gentle presence a comfort.

  When Sean and Elizabeth exchanged their rings, Sarah grew misty-eyed. Not only had her brother, the noted most eligible bachelor in New York City, found the love of his life, but he’d found his center. He and Elizabeth seemed so happy, so content with each other.

  Will that ever happen for me? she wondered. Or is my destiny in another direction?

  She felt someone’s eyes on her. Turning her head, she saw Jon smiling.

  So he’d been watching her. Yes, he’d stepped away for a while, because she’d asked him to. But he was still Jon, and again he was by her side. She was content.

  Because Thomas had arrived only minutes before the Summer Wind cast off, Will barely had the opportunity to shake the ex-president’s hand before the ceremony began.

  Thomas now stood to the side, chatting with Dr. Leo Shapiro, Elizabeth, and Sean.

  Will grinned. The quirky doctor was a perfect foil in difficult situations such as this, and Elizabeth had clearly prepped him to help out. Leo was doing his best with entertaining stories about research missions gone awry. The group was laughing.

  Will’s gaze swept to his father. Bill had greeted Thomas with a rather stiff handshake, Ava by his side. Ava was playing the part of the mother of the groom to a tee, fussing over food already perfectly arranged and interacting with her grandkids.

  Jon, Darcy, and Sarah stood in another group, clinking champagne glasses. Will was relieved. The tension that had existed between Jon and Sarah clearly had dissipated.

  A hand clapped Will’s shoulder. “All is good, right, Will?”

  Will swiveled toward Drew, who always meant more than he said. “Yes. Sean and Elizabeth.”

  Drew chuckled. “Jon and Sarah.”

  Will wrinkled his nose. “Yes, that too.”

  “Thomas,” Drew added. “Being here. Helping to close a loop for Sean.”

  Will nodded. “It is as it should be.”

  He meant exactly what he said.

  Darcy had just gone to get a slice of wedding cake when Sarah saw her mother start to pass by Thomas. When Thomas touched her mother’s arm and drew her toward the bow of the boat, Sarah inexplicably flinched.

  Jon followed her gaze. “You think your mom feels bad for Thomas, since they’re old friends?”

  She scowled at Jon. “Why would she feel bad for him?”

  Jon lifted a brow. “You didn’t notice that Thomas came solo to the wedding—no Victoria? Rumors abound that their marriage is on the rocks. Sure looks like it, or she’d be here for this type of occasion. I feel bad for him. Victoria was no catch, but breaking up a marriage, that’s rough.”

  Does Victoria know about the affair? Is that why she didn’t come? Does my dad know? Why is Thomas here?

  The conflicting questions hit her in a wave. Suddenly she felt dizzy. A headache mounted. She reeled.

  “Hey, you okay?” Jon’s voice was concerned.

  “I must be feeling a little seasick,” she said. “Too much champagne.”

  He tilted his head. “Too much of something, that’s for certain. But I’m not sure it’s the champagne.”

  He turned back toward Thomas with an evaluating gaze.

  41

  NEW YORK CITY

  The morning after Sarah arrived home from Chautauqua, Jon arrived with a bag of her favorite bagels.

  “Thought you might be a little short on breakfast food,” he said. “And I wanted to make sure you were all right. You seemed a little distracted at the wedding. You’re good with your brother’s choice of Elizabeth, right?”

  “That’s not it at all. I love Elizabeth. Guess I just have a lot going on right now.”

  He studied her. “More than the election, you mean.”

  “Yes. I mean, no.” She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  She thought of her father’s warning. “Far more events than you could ever imagine are at play here.” His gentle nudge for her to stand down from her quest for the AG position. His concern about her pursuing the presidency.

  “There are things going on that are”—she hesitated—“or might be, bigger than all of us.”

  He shrugged. “There always are.”

  “No.” She frowned. “I mean, really big. Things that could change all of our lives.”

  “Like what things?”

  She avoided his eyes. “I can’t say any more. At least not right now.”

  “Sarah, you can trust me,” he said g
ently. “You should know that by now.” After a moment, he added, “And I might know more than you think.”

  She flinched. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He met her glare with a steady look. “I know about the affair. That your mom had one. And with whom.”

  She stiffened.

  “I’ve always shot straight with you. I’m doing so now,” he said in a calm tone. “I know it isn’t what you want to hear—”

  Her fear spewed forth in anger. “You’re telling me this now—when Sean’s off to wherever land for his honeymoon? When Will’s neck-deep in the foreign funds mess? When Mom and Dad are headed to Australia? I can’t deal with this right now, Jon. Not in the middle of the presidential race. And you know it.”

  His face was stoic. “I thought you deserved to know, before you found out from someone else. In case you didn’t already know. But I’m guessing you did.”

  “You need to leave,” she said in a horrible replay of their earlier conversation. She pointed a shaky finger toward the door.

  “Okay.” He lifted his chin. “For now. But I’ll be back when you’re ready.”

  As soon as he left, Sarah started to shake. The weight of two secrets was too much. Sean’s photo with the Polar Bear Bomber—something her parents still didn’t know about— could show up anytime.

  But worse, how did Jon know about the affair? Was it real? And if Jon knew, who else did?

  THE MALDIVES ISLANDS

  The day was perfect—blue sky, azure water, and the scent of tropical flowers. Best of all, Elizabeth was next to him, in the quietest spot he could imagine. He plucked a single bloom from the bush nearby and tucked it behind her ear.