Джеффри Арчер - The Prodigal Daughter

‘Where do you stand on abortion?’

‘I shall not fall into the trap that Senator Mason did only last week when asked the same question, to which he replied, “Gentlemen, that one’s below the belt.” ’ Florentyna waited for the laughter to die down before saying in a more serious tone. ‘I am a Roman Catholic by birth and upbringing, so I feel strongly about the protection of the unborn child. However, I also believe there are situations in which it is either necessary and indeed morally correct for a qualified doctor to carry out an abortion.’

‘Can you give an example?’

‘Rape would be an obvious one, and also in a case where the mother’s health is in danger.’

‘Isn’t that against the teachings of your church?’

‘That is correct, but I have always believed in the separation of church and state. Any person who runs for public office must be willing to take stands on certain issues that will not please all of the people all of the time. I think Edmund Burke summed it up better than I could hope to do when he said, “Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment, and he betrays instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.” ’

Edward sensed the effect of the last statement and promptly rose from his chair. ‘Well, ladies and gentlemen of the press, I think the time has come to adjourn for coffee, which will give you an opportunity to meet Florentyna Kane personally — although I am sure by now you know why we feel she is the right person to represent the Ninth District in Congress.’

For the next hour, Florentyna faced a further barrage of personal and political questions, some of which, had they been put to her in the privacy of her own home, she would have found objectionable, but she was quickly learning that one cannot be a public figure and hope to maintain a private stance on anything. When the last journalist had left, she collapsed into a chair, not even having had the time to drink one cup of coffee.

‘You were great,’ said Janet Brown. ‘Didn’t you think so, Mr. Winchester?’

Edward smiled. ‘Good, not great, but I blame myself for not warning you about the difference between being chairman of a private company and running for public office.’

‘What are you getting at?’ asked Florentyna, surprised.

‘Some of those journalists are very powerful and they talk to hundreds of thousands of people every day through their columns. They want to tell their readers that they know you personally and once or twice you were just a little too aloof. And with the man from the Tribune you were just plain rude.’

‘Was that the man who asked about who wore the trousers?’

‘Yes.’

‘What was I supposed to say?’

‘Turn it into a joke.’

‘It wasn’t funny, Edward, and it was he who was rude.’

‘Possibly, but he’s not the one who’s running for public office and you are, so he can say what he likes. And don’t ever forget his column is read by more than five hundred thousand people in Chicago every day including most of your constituents.’

‘So you want me to compromise myself?’

‘No, I want you to get elected. When you’re in the House, you can prove to everyone that they were right in voting for you. But just now you’re an unknown commodity with a lot going against you. You’re a woman, you’re Polish and you’re a millionairess. That combination is going to arouse just about every form of prejudice or jealousy in most ordinary people. The way to counter those feelings is always to appear humorous, kind and interested in people who do not share the privileges you have.’

‘Edward, it’s not me who should be running for public office, it’s you.’

Edward shook his head. ‘I know you’re the right person, Florentyna, but I realize now that it will take a little time for you to adjust to your new environment. Thank God you’ve always been a quick learner. By the way, I don’t disagree with the sentiments you voiced so vociferously, but as you seem to like quoting statesmen of the past, don’t forget Jefferson’s comment to Adams: “You can’t lose votes with a speech you didn’t make.” ’

Again Edward turned out to be right: the press the next day gave Florentyna a mixed reception, and the Tribune reporter called her the worst sort of opportunistic carpetbagger he had ever had the misfortune to come across on the political trail — surely Chicago could find a local person? Otherwise he would have to recommend for the first time that his readers vote Republican. Florentyna was horrified and adjusted quickly to the fact that a journalist’s ego was sometimes more sensitive than a politician’s. She settled down to working several days a week in Chicago, meeting people, talking to the press, appearing on television, fund raising and then going over it all again whenever she saw Richard. Even Edward was beginning to feel confident that the tide was turning her way, when the first blow came.

‘Ralph Brooks? Who on earth is Ralph Brooks?’ asked Florentyna.

‘A local lawyer, very bright and very ambitious. I’d always thought his sights were set on the State Attorney’s office en route to the federal bench, but it seems I’m wrong. I wonder who put him up to this?’

‘Is he a serious candidate?’ Florentyna asked.

‘He certainly is. A local boy, educated at the University of Chicago before going on to Yale Law School.’

‘Age?’ asked Florentyna.

‘Late thirties.’

‘And of course he’s good-looking?’

‘Very,’ said Edward. ‘When he rises in court every woman on the jury wants him to win. I always avoid opposing him if I can.’

‘Does this Olympian have any disadvantages?’

‘Naturally. Any man who has been a lawyer in this city is bound to have made a few enemies and I know for certain Mayor Daley won’t be overjoyed about his entry into the race, since Ralph Brooks is an obvious rival for his son.’

‘What am I expected to do about him?’

‘Nothing,’ said Edward. ‘When asked, you simply give the standard answer: say it’s democracy at work and may the best man — or woman — win.’

‘He’s left himself with only five weeks before the primary.’

‘Sometimes that’s a clever tactic; he’ll hope you’ve run out of steam. The one good thing to come out of this is that Mr. Brooks will have killed off any complacency among our workers. Everyone will now know they have a fight on their hands, which will be good training for when we face the Republicans.’

Florentyna was reassured that Edward still sounded confident, although he confided in Janet Brown later that it was going to be one hell of a fight. During the next few weeks Florentyna learned just how much of a fight. Everywhere she went, Ralph Brooks seemed to have been there just before her. Every time she made a press statement on a major issue, Brooks had given his opinion the night before. But as the day of the primary drew nearer, she learned to play Brooks at his own game, and beat him at it. However, just at the point when the opinion polls showed she was holding her lead, he played an ace that Florentyna hadn’t foreseen. She read the details on the front page of the Chicago Tribune .

‘Brooks Challenges Kane to Debate’ ran the headline. She knew that with all his court experience and practice at cross-examination he was bound to be a formidable opponent. Within minutes after the paper hit the streets, the phone in Florentyna’s headquarters was besieged with queries from the press. Would she accept the challenge? Was she avoiding Brooks? Didn’t the people of Chicago have the right to see both candidates debate the issues? Janet held them off while Florentyna held a hasty conference with Edward. It lasted for three minutes, during which Florentyna wrote out a statement for Janet to read to all inquirers.