The Mortal Groove Read Free Page A

in my closet?”
    â€œDo you?” asked Dorthea, her intense gray eyes fixed on Ray’s.
    â€œLook,” said Randy. “In the past year, you’ve been out talking to people about things that matter to you. It’s obvious you know how to create a buzz. We need that combination of qualities—your ideas, the force of your personality, your ability to move a crowd of strangers. Your ideas are all bedrock democratic ideals and you come at problems with a practical mind and a moral spirit. You get people excited. Most important, you’re a born leader and everyone knows it.”
    â€œAnd that pretty face of yours belongs on a monument,” said Ted.
    Everyone laughed.
    Ray shook his head. It wasn’t that he’d never considered running for office. There had been a state senate seat open a few years ago that had interested him. But he knew better than to get mixed up in state politics. He’d seen other men disappear down that rabbit hole never to return.
    â€œWe realize we’re taking a chance,” continued Randy. “You may have no interest at all. And if that’s the case, fine. But we hadto find out. Whoever steps in will need to hit the ground running. We only have two months before the precinct caucuses.”
    â€œI’m not a multimillionaire like Ludtke,” said Ray.
    â€œLet us worry about the money,” said Ted Azel. “Take some time. Tomorrow, the next day. Talk it over with your family. But one question we have to get an answer to tonight. Right now. It’s a deal breaker. Dorthea alluded to it a second ago. Do you have anything in your life now—or your past—that would preclude you from running? We don’t have much time, so you’ve got to be absolutely honest.”
    The champagne wasn’t helping Ray think. “No, not that I remember. My first wife died. My second wife and I divorced last year. I’m dating someone now, but that shouldn’t be an issue. I’m not a womanizer.”
    â€œTaxes?” said Ted. “Arrests? Alcohol or drug problems?”
    Ray shook his head. “Never swindled anyone. Never murdered a client. On the other hand, I’m not a saint.”
    â€œNot a requirement,” said Dorthea.
    â€œI’ve got two great kids. One’s married, one isn’t. Well . . . not that my daughter wouldn’t have married if our laws allowed it. She’s gay. I suppose that could be a problem for some.”
    â€œAgain, not an issue,” said Randy.
    â€œI’m healthy, walk two miles a day. I’m sixty-five, not getting any younger.” Ray admitted to having an ego, maybe bigger than most, but he felt it had served him well. If he took something on, no matter what the final outcome, he intended to win. But politics? “I don’t know.”
    â€œThink about it,” said Randy.
    Hearing a scratching noise behind the door, everyone turned to look.
    â€œIt’s probably my dog,” said Ray. “Go ahead and let him in.”
    When Ted drew back the door, Cordelia was crouched outside holding a drinking glass against her ear. She’d obviously been listening in on the conversation, trying to find the best spot to get the clearest sound.
    â€œWhy don’t you come in and join us?” said Ray with an amused smile.
    Looking like a deer caught in the headlights, Cordelia slowly stood up. “I . . . ah . . . ah . . . Oh hell. Everyone downstairs is a total wuss. They all want to know what’s going on up here, but don’t have the guts to do anything about it. So I said I would.”
    â€œAnd what did you learn?” asked Ray.
    Casually tossing her boa over her shoulder, she said, “It was a little garbled, but I mainly got that you haven’t swindled or murdered anyone, and that you walk two miles a day. Kind of an odd juxtaposition of facts. What I wanna know is why these people needed to come and