Executive Privilege Read Free Page B

face. She had a high forehead and flat cheekbones. Though not plain, she was certainly not girlishly pretty, but she was charismatic, and her size and intellect dominated any gathering. She had been the captain of her high school and college volleyball teams, captain of her high school basketball team, valedictorian of her high school, and an honors student in college and medical school.
    Chris and Claire had married while Claire was in medical school in Portland and Christopher was on the verge of his first run for office. Claire had cut back on her practice when Patrick was born and had given it up when the family moved to Washington, D.C., after Christopher was elected vice president.
    “You could have come in and kissed Patrick good night,” Claire said.
    “You two seemed so at peace that I didn’t want to spoil the moment.”
    The president kissed his wife on the forehead. “Have I ever told you what a great mother you are?”
    “From time to time,” Claire responded with a sly smile, “and you’re going to get many more chances.”
    Farrington looked confused, and Claire laughed. “I’m pregnant.”
    Farrington stopped short. He looked stunned.
    “You’re serious?”
    Claire stopped smiling. “You’re not sorry, are you?”
    “No, no, it’s just…I thought you were on the pill.”
    “I decided to stop taking it two months ago.” She put her hands on Chris’s shoulders and looked him in the eye. “Are you mad?”
    A mix of emotions swept across the president’s face but the words he spoke were the right ones.
    “We always wanted more kids. I just thought another pregnancy would be tough with everything you have to do as first lady.”
    “Don’t worry about me. Being pregnant didn’t slow me down during the gubernatorial campaign.”
    “True. It was actually a plus, if I recall.”
    “And it will be a plus this time. The women will applaud your family values and the men will be in awe of your virility.”
    Farrington laughed. Then he hugged Claire.
    “You’re a treasure.” He stepped back until they were at arm’s length. “Are you going to be okay tonight?”
    “I’ll be fine. My speech is short and it will be nice going out in public before I start looking like a whale.”
    “You don’t feel sick?”
    “I’ve had a little morning sickness, but I’m okay now. Chuck called ahead to the hotel and booked a suite in case I need to rest.”
    “I love you,” Farrington said, hugging her again. “You know I wouldn’t have dumped this on you at the last minute if this meeting wasn’t important, but Gaylord’s pulling out all the stops. Chuck says she’s raising a lot of money.”
    Farrington sounded worried. Claire laid her palm against his cheek. It was warm, and the touch calmed him.
    “Maureen is going to shit bullets when we announce I’m pregnant. Let’s see her claim the family values high ground now.”
    “I’m going to send Chuck with you.”
    “Won’t he be needed at the meeting?”
    “I want him by your side, Claire. I want to know you’re protected.”
    Claire kissed her husband’s cheek. “Don’t worry about me, and definitely don’t worry about Maureen Gaylord.”

Chapter Four
    Dana Cutler was bored out of her skull. After three days of following Charlotte Walsh to class, the supermarket, restaurants, and her apartment, she was ready to shoot herself. This girl’s life was so dull that Dana couldn’t imagine why anyone was interested in it. She would have quit if the job didn’t pay so well.
    A little after 6 P.M. , Dana had left a phone message for her mystery client at the number Dale Perry had given her, explaining that Walsh had walked out of Senator Gaylord’s campaign headquarters in the company of a white male, approximately six feet tall with wavy blond hair and a neatly trimmed mustache. The subject and her escort had proceeded to the House of Thai where they were currently sharing what appeared to be pad thai, spring rolls, and some type of