Tracie Peterson Read Free

to beat him in this campaign. He is well liked, just as you’ve pointed out. He’s got a strong following in the rural communities among the religious right. That’s one group you could never hope to win over on your reputation alone. People don’t have a high opinion of lawyers these days.”
    Kerns met Myers’ steely eyes and felt a small amount of respect for the man. “True enough, John, and that’s exactly the kind of input we’ll need in order to iron out the rough places in this campaign. Kansas is an agricultural- and livestock-minded state. Even the major industries here take their cues from the barometric readings of the farming community. To ignore the outlying areas of Kansas would be to cut our own throats. However, as you all know, I’ve recently won two major cases for farming cooperatives. That gives me a stronghold with farmers—especially in light of the fact that both cases were against the federal government and very well publicized.”
    “But is that enough to make you a major contender for the office of governor?” Myers braved again.
    “That, along with my favorable reputation in Topeka, Kansas City, and Wichita, will make a good start. If you’ll read the printouts, you’ll see where our weak points are and how you can help. As I said earlier, Russell will be contacting youin the near future to give you updates and see what assistance you might be willing to offer the campaign.” Kerns glanced at his watch. It was nearly midnight, and the best thing to do now was to give each member of the Association time to consider the news.
    “I motion we adjourn for the evening,” Kerns said, knowing there would be no challenge. Conrad seconded the motion and the other members echoed their agreement.
    As the room cleared of both smoke and men, Kerns signaled for Owens to stay behind. “Russell, I want you to get right to work on a list of possible running mates. The right person should strengthen my public appeal. We need someone whose reputation is impeccable, someone to draw the more conservative skeptics who question my background. However . . .” Kerns turned to look out on the city from his ninth-floor vantage point. The light atop the Capitol building glowed in the darkness, drawing his attention. He wanted the position of governor more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life.
    And he would have it.
    “However?” Owens questioned from behind him.
    Kerns turned back to the table. “However, I want someone I can control. A yes-man who will take orders without question. A man who will take the fall for me, if necessary, and who will smile while doing it.”
    Russell grinned and wrote in a black leather notebook. “Anything else?”
    Kerns studied the man for a moment. His suit was expensive but certainly not GQ. Owens’ hair was fashioned in the current rage of young professionals with a generous amount of mousse and hairspray to give it that “just styled” look. Overall, he represented the crisp no-nonsense image that Kerns desired for his campaign. If Owens were a little older and more widely recognized in the public eye, he’d make a great running mate.
    “How old are you, Russell?” he asked, knowing full well the answer.
    “Thirty, sir.”
    “You’ve done well for yourself,” Kerns said with one final appraisal before picking up his briefcase. “Stick with me and you’ll do even better.”
    Owens smiled and pushed up his gold-tone glasses. “I intend to, sir.”
    Kerns laughed, liking the man’s confidence, but knowing his reputation for ruthlessness and double-crossing. These qualities, and not the fact that he’d graduated summa cum laude from law school, had made their coming together advantageous to Kerns. A man like Owens would get things done. And, at this stage of the game, he was smart enough to recognize just who was buttering his bread.
    “Play the game right,” Kerns stated as he headed to the door. “And never, ever forget who runs the