Стюарт Вудс - Cut and Thrust

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“There’s been no specific threat, just a heads-up from Lance Cabot. I’ll certainly be in touch if I hear anything else.”

“Thank you. A part of me is accustomed to always being on guard,” Billy said. A waiter appeared with a glass of Knob Creek.

Peter walked in with Hattie and greeted him just as the doorbell rang again. Billy went to answer it and came back with the governor of California, Richard Collins. A plainclothes officer hovered on the edge of the room.

Collins greeted everyone warmly, and a waiter brought him a drink on a silver tray. “I’m nearly the first here,” he said to Stone. “Good to see you again. It’s been a long time since San Francisco. My condolences on the death of your wife.”

“Thank you, Governor. Would you like to sit down for a minute before the others arrive?”

“Use my study,” Peter said, then led the way to a smaller room lined with bookcases. The two men took chairs in front of a fireplace, where a small blaze had been kindled.

“From everything I’m reading,” Stone said, “your first term is going extremely well.”

“Amazing the things you can get done when you have a majority in both houses,” Collins said. “And Jerry Brown had the goodness to clean up the budget problem before I got in.”

“I wanted to get your views on how the nominating process is going,” Stone said.

“It’s fascinating, isn’t it, what Kate Lee is doing? I had my doubts at first, but I’m beginning to think she just might pull it off.”

“Well, Martin Stanton has been a big help.”

Collins laughed heartily. “Yes, Marty can be his own worst enemy. He’s my friend, though, and I owe him my support for as long as he’s in the race.”

“Of course you do, and I know that Kate understands that. She’ll feel differently on a second ballot, though.”

“If there’s a second ballot, then we’re in a whole new ball game,” Collins said. “And believe me, Marty knows that. It’s a shame that someone with so much talent for politics and governing can risk it all for a roll in the hay. He was a terrific state legislator and governor.”

“And a very good vice president,” Stone said. “It has occurred to some folks that those talents might serve him well in the United States Senate.”

Collins’s eyes narrowed, and he smiled. “Oh, I think Marty would be good in any office in the land.”

“Especially one with four years left in the term,” Stone pointed out. “And I’m sure it would ease his mind to know that a soft landing is available, should the balloting at the convention not go his way.”

“I’m going to take my time making that appointment,” Collins said, “even though there are all sorts of people already scratching at my office door.”

“I think you should certainly take your time... making that announcement,” Stone said. “After all, timing is everything.”

“Did you know, Stone, that Eleanor Stockman was taken off her respirator this afternoon about three o’clock?”

“No, I hadn’t heard that. I haven’t had the TV on today.”

“And she died about an hour ago,” Collins said. “The announcement is being made about now.” He looked at his watch. “Just in time for the six o’clock news.” The vibrating of a cell phone could be heard on the governor’s person. He took out an iPhone and looked at it. “The deluge has already begun,” he said. “I’m glad it’s not Kate on the phone.” He held down two buttons at once and switched it off.

“I don’t expect you’ll hear from her on the subject,” Stone said.

“But it certainly makes our conversation pertinent, doesn’t it?”

“I suppose it does,” Stone said.

“Can you guess who that was on the phone?” the governor asked.

“It would be impertinent of me to try,” Stone replied.

The governor laughed and polished off his drink. “Well, I suppose I’d better get in there and say hello to some folks.” He stood up. “I’m told that Charlene Joiner will be here tonight,” he said. “I believe you’re acquainted with her, aren’t you, Stone?”

“Who isn’t?” Stone asked.

The governor laughed again. “She’s quite a lady,” he said.

“Marvelous actress.”

“Do you think I should get to know her better?”

“I think it would be wise to take Will Lee as your example on the subject of Charlene.”

The governor smiled broadly. “Someone who was allegedly present a few years ago at Van Nuys Airport, when she tried to get to him on Air Force One, swears he heard the president tell the Secret Service that if she came on board to shoot her.”

They both had a good laugh, then joined the others.

Stone walked into the living room, which was now well populated with guests, and the first person he saw was the vice president of the United States. Martin Stanton was a tall, athletically built man of about fifty, with dark hair going gray, wearing a perfectly tailored suit. He was engaged in conversation with Peter and Hattie, and his eyes flicked toward Stone as he entered the room.

Stone walked over to where they stood. “Oh, Dad,” Peter said, “have you met the vice president? The governor invited him to join us this evening.”

“I have not,” Stone said, extending a hand, “but I am very happy to.”

“I’ve heard so much about you, Stone,” Stanton said. “I believe you and Kate Lee are very good friends.”

“We are just good friends,” Stone replied, “in spite of what you may have heard.” Or spread around, Stone thought.

Stanton smiled broadly, revealing impossibly white teeth. “Of course,” he said with a little smirk.

“Will you excuse me for just a moment?” Stone asked. He had seen Charlene Joiner enter the house, and he wanted to be the first to greet her.

Her face lit up as she spotted him. Charlene was beautifully attired in a silk dress and very high heels, with just the right accents of jewelry. “Stone! How are you, sweetheart?”

“I’m extremely well,” Stone replied, “as you obviously are. Have you met my son and his girl?”

“I have,” she replied. “We’ve been discussing an interesting role in his next film.”

“And have you met the vice president?”

“No, but I’d like to.”

“Right this way,” Stone said, taking her elbow and propelling her across the room to where Stanton still stood with Peter and Hattie. “Vice President Stanton,” Stone said, “may I present my favorite actress, Ms. Charlene Joiner?”

Stone watched as something clicked on in Stanton’s eyes and his hand reached for Charlene’s. This was the lady-killer in action, and he was about to meet his match.

“If you’ll excuse us,” Peter said, “we have some guests to greet.”

“I’ll help,” Stone said, and moved away from the man and woman who were so obviously enchanted with each other. He followed Peter and Hattie toward the front door and saw Ann come in.

“Hello, there.” He kissed her.

“Oh, hello,” she replied. “I was nearby when Kate finished with her appointments, so I didn’t bother to call.”

“You didn’t need to,” Stone said, signaling a waiter and ordering them drinks.

“My God!” she said. “There’s Martin Stanton. I want to go and say hello.”

“No,” Stone said, taking her arm. “Not now. He is entirely engaged at the moment, and we don’t want to interrupt.”

She looked at him through narrowed eyes. “You are wicked.”

“They’re getting along so well, why interrupt them? Why don’t we go next door and see Ben’s house?” He led her out a door to a terrace and found a flagstone path to the house next door. Others were streaming down it as well. As they approached the house Stone saw Ben and Tessa chatting with Leo Goldman Jr., the CEO of Centurion Studios.