Flash

open-mouthed, when he gently hauled her into the elevator.

21
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    T wenty-four hours
. Olivia was still fuming forty-five minutes later as she stood with Todd and Dixon in the old pier warehouse. The two men were poring over the plans for the huge, glowing flag that was to unfurl down from the ceiling behind the speaker's platform.
    The argument with Jasper had lasted for the duration of the very brisk walk from her condo to the Light Fantastic studio. She had fought every inch of the way and had at last managed to buy Melwood Gill a twenty-four-hour reprieve.
    Fat lot of good it would do, she thought. It was clear that Jasper had already made up his mind.
    A hundred and fifty thousand dollars? Melwood Gill? It was a staggering thought. Jasper had to be wrong.
    "Love the lit flag concept, Olivia." Dixon looked up at the heavily timbered ceiling. "I can see it now, unfurling behind Eleanor just as she finishes her speech. The flag is large enough to provide strong visual impact, I hope?"
    "It's a really big flag," Olivia assured him. "When it's released, it will fall full length, all the way from that rafter to the floor of the stage behind Ms. Lancaster." Todd looked dubious. "A glowing flag?"
    "Wait'll you see it," Olivia said. "Very dramatic."
    He mulled that over. "Won't it look a little tacky?"
    She glared at him. "No, it will look patriotic."
    "I like it," Dixon said. He shot Todd a cold look. "You don't understand the importance of visuals." He looked at Olivia. "How do the lights work? Will they shine on it?"
    "No, this is very high-tech. We've used some of the latest and greatest gadgetry from Glow, Inc. The red, white, and blue electroluminescent fibers are woven right into the fabric of the flag. The audience will see glowing red and white stripes and a lighted blue background behind the stars."
    "Fantastic." Dixon looked impressed. "At the finale of the speech, all the lights in the room go out simultaneously. Then the lighted flag descends full length behind Eleanor."
    "That's the idea," Olivia agreed. "The effect will be accented with music. A single flip of the switch on the control panel behind the curtain makes it all happen."
    "She'll be framed in the red, white, and blue glow of the American flag." Dixon nodded, pleased. "Perfect."
    "She's running for governor, not president," Todd said mildly.
    Dixon scowled. "Stick to writing her speeches, Chantry. I'll handle her image."
    Todd shrugged. "A politician who looks overly ambitious can turn off voters."
    "We want to establish the feeling that Eleanor is a future leader for this country," Dixon snapped. "It will be a great photo op for the press."
    Todd's jaw tightened. "This flag-and-music thing sounds a little gimmicky to me."
    Dixon gave him a scornful look "Welcome to the wonderful world of the modern media campaign. No such thing as too many special effects."
    "I just don't want the bells and whistles to detract from the message," Todd said.
    "She can't implement her agenda if we don't get her elected, now, can she?" Dixon turned back to Olivia. His eyes still smoldered with anger, but his voice did not betray it. "I like it. We'll go with your plans."
    Todd said nothing, but he did not argue.
    Olivia cleared her throat politely. "If you're satisfied, I'd like to conclude this meeting. I've got a big event scheduled for tomorrow night. We're rather busy back at the studio."
    Dixon nodded. "That would be the Camelot Blue launch?"
    "Right."
    He glanced at his watch. "We'll see you there. Eleanor cleared her schedule so that she could attend."
    I'll just bet she did, Olivia thought. And so would her rivals, if they could get invitations. That many monied people in one place at one time would be an irresistible lure to all of the candidates.

    She got back to her office fifteen minutes later. The seat of her chair was heaped with faxes and phone messages. She had barely started through them when Zara put her head around the door.
    "I've finished my list."
    Olivia looked up. "What list?" Then it all came back in a flash. She managed a smile. "Oh, yes. Of course. Your list."
    Zara walked into the office. Her eyes shone with satisfaction. "I had to pull out my old press clippings to get some of these names. Brought back a lot of old memories, I can tell you. But I think I've got everyone."
    Olivia decided not to inform Zara that the list-making endeavor had probably been a total waste of time because the focus of the investigation had shifted. She