Deadly Election (9781101619223) by J. R. Roberts Read Free Book Online

she said, “he won’t go along.”
    “I guess we’ll just have to see,” he told her. “Can I get you a drink?”
    “How?”
    “What?”
    “How will we know?”
    “It will all depend,” he said, “on how much she donates to the cause.” He took her arm. “Come on, I’ll get you a drink.”
    “What are you going to tell the governor?” she asked as he led her away.
    “Don’t worry,” he said, “the governor can wait.”
    In another part of the room Lieutenant Governor Wheeler and Walter Dixon stood off to one side, eachholding a drink. They watched Laura Linquist take Clint one way, and Will Gryder tug Carla Beckett in another.
    “I’m still not sure about this,” Dixon said.
    “Come on,” Wheeler said. “Look at the attendance tonight.”
    “Laura’s parties are always attended this well,” Dixon pointed out.
    “But I’ve been talking to people, Walter,” Wheeler said. “They’re fascinated by this possibility.”
    “The Gunsmith in Congress, representing Texas?” Dixon said.
    “It’s a possibility.”
    Dixon finished his drink and said, “I need another one.”
    “The whiskey is flowing freely, my friend,” Wheeler said.
    “It should be.”

SEVENTEEN
    Laura Linquist took Clint from the main ballroom of the huge house into a smaller room, lined with books on every wall.
    “My husband’s den,” she said. “He used to spend hours in here, reading, or doing business at that desk.”
    The desk was cherry wood, with spindly legs. It looked very expensive to Clint. She walked to it, ran her hand over the smooth surface.
    “Where is he now?” Clint asked. “I thought you were taking me to meet him.”
    “He’s in bed upstairs,” she said. “He’s been in a vegetative state for months. At least, that’s what the doctors tell me.”
    “I see,” I said. “Then why bring me in here?”
    She looked up at him, keeping her hand on the desk.
    “I brought you in here so we could get better acquainted.” She left the desk and walked toward him. “Ineed to see what I’m going to be investing my husband’s money in.”
    “Well, then,” Clint said, “what do you want to know?”
    She crossed the room to him and stood in front of him. She was a lovely woman, despite the small lines that were forking at the corners of her mouth and eyes.
    “Kiss me,” she said.
    “What?”
    “Kiss me…please.”
    “Mrs. Linquist—”
    “Laura.”
    “Laura, do you really think that’s a good idea?”
    “I do, yes,” she said. “A very good idea. Do you find me unattractive?”
    “I think you know you’re a beautiful woman, Laura.”
    “And desirable?”
    “Yes.”
    “To you?”
    “Laura—”
    She licked her lips and said, “I’m just asking.”
    “Well…yes.”
    “Then kiss me.”
    He hesitated, then leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.
    She laughed.
    “You call that a kiss?”
    She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him fully, completely, her mouth wide open. He kissed her back in self-defense. Eventually, they each melted into it, and it went on for a while. When they finally parted, she stepped back, breathless.
    “Well…not bad.”
    “I passed?” he asked.
    “The first test.”
    “The first…what’s the rest?”
    She stepped to him again, put her hands on his chest, started to undo the buttons of his new, crisp white shirt.
    “Laura—”
    “Are you going to resist me?”
    “Well—”
    “Is it the woman?”
    “The woman?”
    “What’s her name? Carla? She’s a lovely girl. Is she yours?”
    “No, no,” he said, “nothing like that. She’s my…assistant.”
    “I see. Let me show you something.”
    She stepped back, put her hands behind her back, and her gown fell away, leaving her naked from the waist up. She had very good breasts, large and firm, with heavy undersides and dark nipples.
    “I try to take care of my body.”
    “You’re lovely,” he said, dry-mouthed.
    “Are you interested?”
    “Under normal circumstances I’d