The Committee Read Free

light on a starless night. Maybe it was the chilling black Yves St. Laurent blazer and skirt, which appeared to have been sewn directly onto her body. A white ruffled collar and cuffs provided the perfect accent for the masterfully crafted suit.
    Whatever the cause, Camille was in control long before she made eye contact with anyone in the room. She planted her feet confidently behind the lectern and flashed the smile that ruled the city. The audience stood reverently and applauded as cameras from the front of the room flashed furiously to capture every glint of her white smile, shimmering hair, and glistening eyes.
    Camille humbly acknowledged the recognition with a nod and wave as she scanned the room with keen eyes storing every detail for future use. A mane of silky black hair framed a face far too beautiful for the rough-and-tumble world of big-city politics. Her flawless skin glowed like amber in the halo of camera flashes.
    Camille allowed the ovation to run its course before she spoke. The audience took their cue and returned silently to their seats as she readied her lips to speak.
    â€œGood evening, everyone, and thank you for joining me in my sixth State of the City address,” were the first words she spoke. “I am honored to serve as the forty-third mayor of Los Angeles; a world-renowned international city that celebrates diversity and leads the way in job creation, innovation, education, health care, and the environment for our future generations.”
    Her sensuous tone coated the room like a layer of warm honey. Seductive undercurrents lulled even her most ardent enemies into a suspended state of unwilling submission.
    Camille was born less than two miles from where she now stood. Adopted at birth by two doting parents who, from the moment they laid eyes on her, believed she was destined for greatness. No one was surprised when her IQ tested at 158 in high school. Her parents mortgaged their home to put her through college. She received an undergraduate degree in political science from UCLA in three years and a Juris Doctor from Harvard before turning twenty-four. She effortlessly passed the California Bar exam on her first attempt. There was no other place in the world she could be at this moment, other than standing center stage at city hall.
    â€œGreetings to the president of the city council, Salvador Alvarez, and to all the members of the city council. Greetings to the many city commissioners, elected officials, department heads, and to all our honored guests here tonight.”
    Camille masterfully scanned the room as she spoke without notes or teleprompter. She made direct eye contact with someone in the room with every sentence. All present would have their very own two-second private audience with the mayor before the end of her State of the City address.
    â€œAt the dawn of this new year, and the third year of my second term, the state of our great city is still vital and strong. As strong financially and economically as we have ever been in our history.
    â€œNevertheless, we must also recognize there are still fractures in the strong foundation we have built, tears in the social fabric that, if we do not attend to with all our energies, will erode that foundation and reverse our dramatic progress.”
    Camille methodically increased the rate she spoke. The words soon took on the cadence of a learned Baptist preacher crossed with a seasoned politician on a winning campaign.
    â€œJobs and confidence are back, but our economic recovery has still left thousands of people behind.
    â€œOur neighborhoods are revitalized and new construction is all around us, but some still look to the future, anxiously, and wonder whether there’s room for them in a changing Los Angeles.”
    Sheridan Hardaway sat quietly in a front row, aisle seat, with fingers intertwined at his chin and legs crossed at the knee. The tip of his Gucci loafer pointed directly up at his wife and the black Armani