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somebody as tough as Carole. Their curiosity alone will have them whipped into a frenzy.”
    “I told her that, but she resents getting unasked-for advice and having words put in her mouth.”
    “Well,” Eddy said, rubbing his neck tiredly, “don’t worry about it until you have to. She’ll probably do fine.”
    “She seems confident that she will.” Tate took a sip of his drink, then rolled the tumbler between his palms as he watched a moth making suicidal dives toward one of the spotlights in the shrubbery. “She’s…”
    Eddy leaned forward. “She’s what?”
    “Hell, I don’t know.” Tate sighed. “Different.”
    “How so?”
    For starters, she tasted different, but he didn’t tell his friend that. “She’s more subdued. Congenial.”
    “Congenial? Sounds to me like she pitched a temper tantrum tonight.”
    “Yeah, but this is the first one. The crash and everything she’s been through since then have sobered her up, I think. She looks younger, but she acts more mature.”
    “I’ve noticed that. Understandable, though, isn’t it? Carole’s suddenly realized that she’s mortal.” Eddy stared at the terrazzo tiles between his widespread feet. “How, uh, how are personal things between the two of you?” Tate shot him a hot, fierce glance. “If it’s none of my business, just say so.”
    “It’s none of your business.”
    “I know what happened in Fort Worth last week.”
    “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
    “The woman, Tate.”
    “There were a lot of women around.”
    “But only one invited you to her house after the rally. At least, only one that I know of.”
    Tate rubbed his forehead. “Jesus, doesn’t anything escape your attention?”
    “Not where you’re concerned. Not until you’re elected senator.”
    “Well, rest easy. I didn’t go.”
    “I know that.”
    “So what’s the point of bringing it up?”
    “Maybe you should have.”
    Tate barked a short laugh of surprise.
    “Did you want to?”
    “Maybe.”
    “You did,” Eddy said, answering for him. “You’re human. Your wife’s been incapacitated for months, and even before then—”
    “You’re out of line, Eddy.”
    “Everybody in the family knows that the two of you weren’t getting along. I’m only stating the obvious. Let’s be frank.”
    “You be frank. I’m going to bed.”
    Eddy caught his arm before he could stand up. “For God’s sake, don’t get mad at me and go off half-cocked. I’m trying to do you a favor here.” He waited for several moments, giving Tate time to contain his anger.
    “All I’m saying is that you’ve been doing without for a long time,” Eddy said calmly. “The deprivation has got you uptight and edgy, and that’s no good for anybody. If all it takes to get you happy again is a roll in the hay, let me know.”
    “And you’ll do what?” Tate asked dangerously. “Pimp?”
    Eddy looked disappointed in him. “There are ways to arrange it discreetly.”
    “Tell that to Gary Hart.”
    “He wasn’t smart.”
    “And you are?”
    “Damn right I am.”
    “Do you know what Dad would think if he heard you making me this offer?”
    “He’s an idealist,” Eddy said dismissively. “Nelson really believes in motherhood and apple pie. Morality is his middle name. I, on the other hand, am a realist. We clean up pretty, but underneath our affectations, man is still an animal.
    “If you need to get laid and your wife isn’t accommodating, you get laid by somebody else.” After his crude summation, Eddy gave an eloquent shrug. “In your situation, Tate, a little marital infidelity would be healthy.”
    “What makes you so sure I’m in desperate need of getting laid?”
    Eddy smiled as he came to his feet. “I’ve watched you in action, remember? You’ve got that tension around your mouth that says you haven’t gotten off lately. I recognize the black scowl. You might be running for public office, but you’re still Tate Rutledge. Your cock doesn’t know that it’s expected to be a good little boy until you get elected.”
    “I’m investing my future in this election, Eddy. You know that. I’m about to realize my ambition to go to Washington as a senator. Do you think I’d risk that dream on twenty minutes of marital infidelity?”
    “No, I guess not,” Eddy said with a rueful sigh. “I was only trying to help you out.”
    Tate stood and offered a crooked smile. “The next thing you’re going to say is, what are