Flash

too. nothing stands still in life, does it? We must go forward."
    "It's not like there are too many options."
    "Very true. I learned that lesson after Richard was killed." Eleanor smiled wistfully. "I had no choice. My first election campaign was an antidote for my grief. Fighting for stronger criminal laws gave me a purpose, a reason to go on."
    Olivia read the papers. She knew the story of Eleanor Lancaster's first campaign. Her husband, Richard Lancaster, a wealthy businessman, had been shot dead when he interrupted a burglary in progress. The killer had never been caught but was believed to have been a career criminal, someone who should have been incarcerated long before he murdered Lancaster.
    Eleanor had run for the state legislature on a law-and-order platform. The campaign had been fueled by her fervent ambition to make certain that the kind of violent person who had killed her husband was taken off the streets. Once in office, she had quickly demonstrated the full range of her abilities as a leader.
    "I understand," Olivia said.
    Eleanor's immaculately shaped brows rose. "I told you that in my business, modesty is not a virtue. I will be honest with you. I am running for the governor's office because I believe that I have something important to offer to this state and, ultimately, to this country."
    The passion that flickered in Eleanor's eyes was real, Olivia thought. She was a committed woman.
    "I believe you," Olivia said.
    "Your brother has done a great deal to help me shape and define my message and my agenda. I need him. I'm grateful to him. He's important to me. I realize that you are probably afraid that what I feel for him is tied to those things."
    "Well…"
    "I can't deny that I recognize how much he contributes to my campaign." Eleanor put down her cup. "But I want you to know that I'm smart enough not to get my personal emotions mixed up with what I know is good for my future in politics.''
    "I see."
    "I was very fortunate," Eleanor said softly. "My marriage to Richard was based on love and commitment. Because of Richard, I understand those feelings. I want to assure you that those emotions are at the heart of what I feel for Todd."
    "I appreciate your telling me that, Eleanor."
    Holy cow. One day she might find herself dining in the White House.
    It was a delightful fantasy, Olivia thought. But it didn't change anything. She still did not want Todd to marry Eleanor Lancaster.

    "Mr. Sloan is going to hire a real private eye to check out a list of the people I knew in the early days of my career?" Zara's eyes lit up with excitement. "What a brilliant idea."
    "I'm glad you approve," Olivia said.
    "Approve? I don't know why I didn't think of it, myself. It's just the sort of thing Sybil would have done. I'll get started on my list of names immediately." Zara paused. "It will take a while. I had so many friends and rivals in those days."
    Olivia's chair squeaked as she leaned back in it. She tapped the tip of a cheap ballpoint pen on the arm. Todd had once given her an outrageously expensive fountain pen, but she did not dare use it here at the office. She knew it would get lost amid the clutter.
    "You're not upset because I told Sloan about the situation?" she asked.
    Zara paused, one hand on the doorknob. "I'm sure we can trust him to be discreet. After all, Rollie trusted him with the future of Glow."
    She sailed out through the door. The trailing end of the long fuchsia silk scarf she wore around her throat floated in her wake.
    The towering spires of papers and documents stacked on Olivia's desk fluttered in the draft created by the closing door.
    Ting, ting, ting
. The small, repetitive sound of the ballpoint striking the arm of the chair became irritating after a while. Olivia tossed the pen onto a heap of invoices.
    It was amazing what a plan could do for a person's attitude, she reflected. Zara's mood had undergone a sea change this morning after she learned that Jasper had concocted a scheme worthy of a television private eye.
    Olivia had to admit that she was also feeling a lot more confident about resolving the blackmail problem today than she had felt yesterday. Last night's chat with Jasper had been oddly reassuring, even fortifying.
    There were not many men who would have taken the news that they had been dragged into the middle of an extortion scheme with such stoic aplomb. In fact, she could not think of a single person of her acquaintance, male or female, who would have handled