“But what if she agrees with us?” Cotton asked.
“We’ll worry about it then,” Bob said as he looked in the rearview at Hill. “Real shame Mae and Lucy didn’t make the trip. Daisy would love to see them.”
“Boss wanted to make it a quick trip up and back. If them two would’ve been with us, we would’ve been here the rest of the week,” Hill said.
“You see? That’s what I like about being single. I can come and go as I please, drink when I want, and cut a fart when I feel like,” Cotton said as he lifted his leg.
“You fart in here I’ll beat you with my cane,” Bob warned.
With a look of disappointment, Cotton lowered his leg.
“I appreciate it Bob,” Hill said from the backseat.
Moments later, Bob wheeled into his driveway followed by Ed’s Ford. As the vehicles emptied, Ed turned to Willie and Rocky.
“You two stay out here and keep an eye on things,” he said as both men nodded.
“I’ll bring you some food out in a little bit,” Hill said.
“And some hot coffee,” Bob said as he turned and started working his way to the porch.
Once inside, with the pleasantries out of the way, the four men were seated at the kitchen table with Daisy.
“If I’d known y’all was coming by here today I woulda had something better for waiting for your lunch,” she said apologetically.
“Are you kiddin’ me? I don’t eat this good at home. Lucy’s a pretty good cook but her biscuits can’t touch these,” Ed said.
“Mighty fine eats,” Hill said.
“Take it from a man who lives on diner food, you can’t beat this,” Cotton said.
“You know if you’d settle down and get married, you wouldn’t have to eat diner food all the time,” Daisy said.
Cotton smiled and nodded.
“But I can’t find any woman dumb enough to marry me,” he said.
“You could if you’d try. I know all kinds of single women who would love to meet you,” she said as Hill and Ed both stifled laughs.
“Now Daisy, Cotton likes being single; not every man wants to be married,” Bob said.
“I just can’t understand that way of thinking,” she said.
“Say Hill, you was going to take them fellas outside some food. Why don’t I give you a hand with that?” Cotton said.
“Alright,” Hill said as he grabbed another strip of bacon and took a bite. “But I ain’t done eating.”
“There’s plenty and your plate will be here waiting for you,” Daisy said with a laugh as Hill and Cotton stood up.
“Appreciate it Daisy,” Hill said.
“While they’re doing that, I want to talk you about something I have in mind for your husband,” Ed said as took a sip of coffee.
Daisy looked at Bob suspiciously and then back to Ed. She listened intently as Ed explained his idea about Bob entering politics and his idea to pay him the salary of a congressman.
“But your husband don’t want to do it,” Ed explained.
Daisy looked to Bob.
“Why not?” She asked.
“Like I keep telling him and everybody else, I ain’t a politician. I write about politicians – about their greed and corruption: about how useless most of them are,” he answered.
“You’re right. Some of them are corrupt and useless – but not all of them,” Ed said.
“You’ve said it yourself. There are some good men in the government and we need more good men to serve with them. You’re a good man,” Daisy said.
“It takes more than just being a good man,” Bob said. “You’ve got to be able to convince people to vote for you. You’ve got to brag on yourself a lot and I just can’t do that.”
“You don’t have to brag. All you gotta do is talk to people the way you always have. That’s all it will take,” Ed said.
“Just think of the people you could help. Miners would finally have somebody in Washington fighting for them,” Daisy said.
“Only if I got elected,” Bob said.
“You’ll get elected. The largest newspaper chain in the state will endorse you and so will the radio stations in the district,” Ed promised.
“Daisy, you know if I was to run I’d be away from home a lot — almost all the time in fact. In your condition, you couldn’t be with me on the road too much,” Bob said.
“Condition? I don’t mean to be nosey but are you alright Daisy?” Ed asked.
Bob looked at her and she nodded.
“Daisy’s going to have a baby,” he said.
Ed’s face brightened.
“That’s wonderful! Congratulations, both of you!” He said.
“Now you see why I’m not eager to run for Congress or anything else,” Bob said.
“I understand your concern but think of the life you could give that kid,” Ed said.
“Yeah, the pay is great but we would have to live in or near Washington and keep a house here in Kentucky. And Daisy, are you ready to spend that much time that far away from Millie and the rest of your family?” Bob asked.
“I told you last night I want you to be happy. My home – and our baby’s home – is with you, no matter where it is. My family knows that,” she said.
“You’ll never have to worry about a place to live. You already have a house in Evans County in your name. You’ll have a nice, respectable place in the Washington area and it won’t cost you a cent,” Ed said as refilled his own coffee cup.
Bob considered his next words carefully.
“If I was to agree to do this, I want to be clear on something: I won’t be anybody’s puppet. I mean I appreciate everything you’re offering but if you’re trying to become a political boss pick somebody else. If I agree – and it’s a big if – everything’ll be done right. I won’t be like the Republicans the mine owners have controlled for so long,” he said.
Ed smiled softly and nodded.
“I understand. If I thought you’d be any other way, I wouldn’t ask,” he said. “I want folks to have an honest voice, that’s all.”
Bob looked over to Daisy who offered a soft smile of her own. He looked into her eyes and she nodded slowly.
Hill and Cotton came back in. Hill slid back into the chair he previously occupied.
“Man alive, it’s cold out there,” he said as he refilled his coffee cup.
Cotton leaned against the doorway of the kitchen.
“Well, do we have a candidate?” He asked.
Ed looked to Bob.
“I reckon you do,” Bob said.
CHAPTER TEN
“I’m afraid I can’t agree with your reasoning Joe. Your father or Russell — hell, even Lee — would have contributed to Dale’s campaign,” said Dave Wilson, campaign manager for Congressman Dale Roper.
“And it’s not just me that’s getting cut off. I understand you’ve withdrawn campaign contributions from a lot of mutual friends,” Roper said.
Joe looked across the desk at them. The pair paid a personal visit to the Milner to appeal for campaign funds. He studied the two men. Wilson was sixty-five years old but looked ten years younger with his tan skin and wavy salt and pepper hair. Clean-shaven, tall and slim, Wilson was senior partner in the Lexington law firm of Wilson, Ebsen, & Wright.
Roper was as tall as Wilson. His pate was smooth and his belly large. He had small brown eyes and a nose too large for his face. His smile showed brown teeth, colored from years of smoking. Roper was in his first term in the House after serving as the administrative aide for disgraced former Congressman Wilton.
Joe simply nodded.
“Gentlemen, I’m sure you’re aware the economy isn’t good. My family suffered greatly during the downturn and more than most people understand. Simply put, we – that is to say, my family – needs the money more than you do,” he said.
“You still control the mining industry in Eastern and Western Kentucky as well as most Virginia and West Virginia,” Wilson said.
“Control? No. We own mo
st of the mines but we now share the profits with stockholders. That means our overall income is down and will likely be so in the immediate future,” Joe said.
“So you’re willing to sacrifice political influence to make a few more dollars,” Roper chided as Joe smirked.
“I don’t think you understand what you’re doing Joe. A Republican friend in Washington to guard your interests will be invaluable in the coming months and years. How can you afford not to support Congressman Roper and other friends around the state?” Wilson asked.
“And I don’t think you gentlemen understand. If the Democrats nominate a halfway decent candidate to run against any Republican right now, odds are they will win. Supporting your party is throwing away good money — money that we need to weather this...this depression Mr. Hoover talks about,” Joe said.
Roper fumed.
“So you think I can’t win?” He asked.
“I didn’t say that. I said odds are against you if the Democrats nominate a good candidate,” Joe said calmly.
“And when was the last time that happened in the Republican Ninth?” Wilson asked. “You know Dale will get reelected.”
“It’s entirely possible but he will do so without Milner money. You do of course have our votes and those of our family and friends,” Joe said.
“Keep that in mind the next time a regulation or a labor bill comes to a floor vote,” Roper huffed. “I appreciate your vote but I’ll have to take a serious look at those who truly supported me — not just those who paid lip service to my campaign.”
“Why Congressman Roper, that sounded like a threat to extort money from my family,” Joe said.
“Get off your high horse you little punk. We all know how much money your family paid to get you out of prison, not to mention the money you’re funneling to your brother Lee hiding out down in Mexico. That’s the real reason your finances are down,” Roper said angrily.
“Dale, please calm down,” Wilson urged.
“No! I won’t calm down! This pervert is not going to get away with cutting me off. I waited patiently for twenty years to get my turn and now he’s gonna take it away? I don’t think so,” Roper sneered.
“Gentlemen, I think it’s time for you to leave,” Joe said calmly.
“I’m not going anywhere until you write a check and make it sizable,” Roper demanded as Wilson sat wild-eyed staring at him.
“I’ve already given you my answer Congressman. Now for the last time, please leave,” Joe said with just a hint of a smile.
“No, you’ll write a check and then I’ll go. Hear me pervert? I’m not going anywhere until you do,” Roper said as he crossed his arms and smugly leaned back and looked at Wilson. “This is how you get shit done Dave.”
Joe sighed and opened his desk drawer.
“Just make it out to cash. I’ll drop in periodically for more,” Roper said.
Joe pulled out a large brown envelope and placed on the desk.
“You may convince him now,” he said over his shoulder.
Roper looked over at Wilson with a confused smirk.
The doors to the study bust open and Lee rushed in straight toward Roper. He lifted the Congressman to his feet by the lapels of his suit, tearing the fabric in the process. In one swift motion he slammed Roper against a bookshelf, leveled a nickel-plated revolver between his eyes, and drew back the hammer with a loud click.
“You were told to leave you sad sack of shit. Now you’ll wish you had,” Lee growled.
“W-who are you are?” Roper asked suddenly more scared than he had ever been before.
“This is an old friend who is concerned for the well-being of my family. And he’s right Congressman Roper, you should have listened,” Joe said coldly.
“For the love of God Joe! Don’t do this!” Wilson said as he stepped away from the man with the gun.
“He needs to be taught a lesson in respect Dave. He wouldn’t have talked to my father or Russell — and especially Lee — this way,” Joe said. “So please, teach him so he never forgets. Pay attention Dave,” Joe said.
Lee pulled the trigger but instead of an explosion, there was only the sound of a loud snap. Roper’s eyes widened in the realization that he was alive. Sweat rolled down his forehead. It was then Joe noticed the stench and knew the man had soiled himself.
Lee laughed heartily and drove his left fist into the chin of Roper, who collapsed to the floor. He then turned toward a wide-eyed Wilson with a snarl.
“N-now w-wait,” the normally eloquent attorney stammered.
“That’s enough. I think they got the message,” Joe said.
Lee looked down at the barely conscious Roper.
“Drag this piece of stink out of here,” he growled as Wilson cautiously made his way over to the literally fallen Roper.
“Please pass the word Dave. When we’re ready to start contributing money again, we’ll let folks know. Until such time as that we do intend to...shall we say, collect on investments we’ve already made with the Republican Party. We have built up markers. Most have been used up but we have a few left. We will call those in from time to time and expect them to be honored,” Joe said as Wilson pulled a still woozy Roper to his feet.
“And take this with you,” Joe said as he passed the envelope to Wilson.
“What’s this?” Wilson asked.
“Among other things, that’s enough to get you disbarred and send you and your boy there to prison for a long time. Keep that in mind the next time you hear from me,” Joe added. “And Congressman Roper? I’ve seen some of the photos in there. I’d watch calling anyone perverted.”
Lee let out a nasty laugh as the two men made their way to the door.
“I recommend you put the Congressman in the back seat and keep the windows down,” Joe said as Lee guffawed again.
After the two men left, Lee looked at Joe.
“I didn’t know we had dirt on him. We got any on anybody else?” He asked.
“Aside from the ones we’ve been paying off, a county clerk in Bourbon County and a state senator up in Louisville,” Joe said.
“Damn. That’s all? No sheriffs?” Lee asked.
“Not anymore. Most of the people we had something on went down when I was arrested,” Joe said.
Lee shoved the pistol back into his shoulder holster.
“So what do we do now?” He asked.
“We try something new. We wait,” Joe said.
Lee grunted as walked out.
***
John was exhausted when he got up to answer the ringing phone. Clad only in his boxer shorts, he pulled the heavy blue robe on and wrapped it around his body. The hardwood floor was cold to his bare feet as he trod as quickly as his tired body would allow. On the sixth ring he answered the call.
“Dr. Fulton,” John said.
“Good mornin’ Dr. Fulton,” Bob said cheerfully. “Don’t tell me I got you out of bed at this hour of the mornin.’ It’s right at nine o’clock.”
“Afraid so. I worked almost around the clock for the past two days,” John said as he yawned.
“What’s going on down there?” Bob asked.
“Outbreak of the flu. I hope we’ve contained it. We’ve treated twenty-seven cases so far. Three people have died here in Fuson County alone,” John said.ne
“Is it anywhere else?” Bob asked.
“No, seems like the only confirmed cases are confined to Fuson County. We’ve quarantined every place we can and we’re making house calls to check up those we’ve treated. You plan on doing a story about it?” John asked.
“Not me but I’m sure Evan will assign it to someone,” Bob said.
John looked at the earpiece as though he could see Bob through and then spoke again.
“I figured you’d want to be the one to write about this.”
“To tell you the truth I would but I’m doing something different right now,” Bob said.
“Oh? Anything you can talk about?” John asked his younger brot
her.
“Yeah, but I’d rather do it in person,” Bob said.
“Well I can’t get away for a while and my advice to you with Daisy pregnant is to avoid Crystal Springs until this outbreak has passed,” John said.
Bob was silent for a few seconds.
“Is something wrong Bob? Is Daisy okay?” John asked, now concerned.
“Daisy’s fine. It’s just...well, you’re gonna find out pretty soon anyway,” Bob said. “I’ve took an indefinite leave of absence from the paper.”
“Well, you have my attention,” John said.
“I’m running for Congress in the ninth district,” Bob said.
“You’re what?” John asked.
“I’m running for Congress. I’m making the announcement from the courthouse in Silver Point later this morning,” Bob said.
John was nearly at a loss for words.
“You’re...whose idea was this? Do you know what you’re getting into?” John asked.
“Ed thinks I’ll win,” Bob said.
“Ed? Is this his idea?” John asked.
“Yeah, it was. He talked me into it but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. I think I can do this,” Bob said.
“What does Daisy think about it?” John asked.
“She’s all for it,” Bob said. “So is Cotton. He’s agreed to take a leave too and work in the campaign,” Bob answered.
“She’s not worried about...well, you know,” John said.
“About somebody taking another shot at me?” Bob asked.
“Uh...well, yeah,” John answered.
“I think that’s crossed both our minds but I was just a reporter when I got shot. Seems to me I could be a target either way,” Bob said.
“When you put it like that, it makes sense,” John said.
“Are you disappointed?” Bob asked.
“Not at all. Surprised by the timing maybe but I probably knew this day was coming eventually. I guess you know you’ve got my vote,” John said with a chuckle.
“Look, I know you’re busy but I was kinda hoping you’d join my campaign,” Bob said.
“I don’t know a thing about politics,” John said.
“Neither do I. But you know people — how to read them, what they’re thinking, what questions they need answered,” Bob said.
Moonshine, Coal, and Hope Page 28
