Flash

hoping that Olivia can give your career another shot in the arm?"
    Jasper was out of control. Olivia could do nothing but hold her breath. She could see the seething frustration in Crawford's eyes. But she could also tell that he realized he was not going to win the undeclared war.
    He drew himself up and gave Jasper a fulminating look. Then he turned on his heel and stalked away without a word.
    Olivia released her breath very cautiously. She gazed intently at the nearest painting, afraid that if she was not extremely careful, she would laugh out loud.
    Silently, Jasper handed her one of the plates he had brought back from the buffet table. She accepted it, plucked a little bit of crab-stuffed pastry off the top, and took a bite.
    Beside her Jasper sampled a small, triangular-shaped sandwich that looked as though it was filled with an olive mixture. He chewed with evident satisfaction, and then he swallowed.
    "Actually," Olivia said after a while, "you overlooked the one really important contribution I made to Crawford Lee Wilder's career."
    "No kidding? What was that?"
    "I'm the one who suggested he start using his middle name in his byline. Before me, he used to go by plain old Crawford Wilder."
    Jasper thought about that. "Brilliant piece of advice. Doesn't have the same ring without the Lee."
    "Thank you. I was always rather proud of the idea. Did wonders for his career."
    "I want you to promise me something," he said after a while.
    She did not dare look at him. Very carefully she selected another cracker and took a bite. "What?"
    "Promise me that if you ever ask me to marry you, it won't be because you think my career needs a boost."

29
    « ^ »
    E leanor Lancaster's decision to throw in the towel broke the following evening on the six-thirty news. Jasper was with Olivia in her kitchen. He had just poured two glasses of zinfandel, and was anticipating a quiet, uninterrupted evening alone with Olivia, when the anchor launched into the lead-in.
    "
We go live now to Lancaster campaign headquarters. Our sources tell us that Ms. Lancaster will make her announcement momentarily
…"
    "Oh, no. I was afraid of this." Olivia rushed out into the living room to watch the broadcast.
    Carrying the wine, Jasper followed at a more leisurely pace. He arrived in front of the television set in time to see Eleanor ascend the podium. She was dressed in a khaki-green silk suit that had a subtle military air. She was not crying, but her eyes looked ever so slightly moist.
    "Amazing how she can manage to look both tragic and heroic at the same time," Jasper said.
    "Shush." Olivia flapped her hand at him. "I'm trying to listen."
    "—
This is the most difficult decision I have ever made. My loyal staff has urged me to stay in the race. But it is incumbent on me to take a pragmatic view of the situation. The truth is, this campaign cannot regain the momentum that has been lost. Were I to continue, I would be wasting the money and energy of those who have worked so hard
—"
    "Well, darn." Olivia planted her hands on her hips and glowered at the television. "I guess this means the fund-raiser is off."
    "Looks like it."
    "You know, I'm surprised that Eleanor is ending the campaign." Olivia shook her head thoughtfully. "I really thought she'd ride out the scandal."
    "I know. Lancaster doesn't seem like the type to give up so easily. But the money is probably drying up very fast. Nothing disappears quicker than donations to a troubled political campaign."
    Alarm widened Olivia's eyes. "You're right. Money will be tight. I'd better fax my last bill to Lancaster campaign headquarters first thing in the morning."
    "I have a hunch there will be a lot of bills being faxed to Lancaster headquarters tomorrow. Everyone who did business with the campaign will be scrambling to get paid."
    "You can say that again." Olivia took one of the glasses from his hand. "Poor Cousin Bolivar and Aunt Zara. They're going to be crushed when they find out that their glowing flag won't be on the evening news, after all."
    "There must be another use for a twenty-foot-high lighted flag."
    A speculative gleam appeared in Olivia's eyes. "We could always unfurl it at the annual Glow picnic."
    "Be my guest. Just don't try sending me a bill. That flag was made with Glow technology and Glow products. Hell, I ought to charge you for it."
    "Now, Jasper, I've explained my little arrangement with Glow, Inc. Light Fantastic events give you the best advertising you could