Midnight (McKenna Chronicles Book 1) by Elizabeth Miller Read Free Book Online Page A

sets me up with open access to everything and anything I want to
look at. I review his finances, donations, gifts and personal wealth. Colin has
a wide range of supporters funding his campaign, and he's very circumspect on
how he spends their donations. He’s frugal, accounting for every penny;
anything of a personal nature is paid for out of his own bank account. I almost
fell out of my chair when I read he’s flying the country in his own plane, and
that the finances supporting the jet are accounted for out of his astounding
wealth. He wasn’t lying about his success. He has more money than the state of
Michigan. I laugh thinking about it, because it’s not much of an exaggeration.
    At
quarter to one, Tim knocks on the door to my borrowed office. “Want to eat? We
had lunch brought in from a deli.” His smile is kind and maybe a little
hopeful.
    “Sure,
thanks,” I agree, hoping the ‘ we’ in his sentence is accurate. Sally,
Molly and a few others are already eating when Tim and I step into the
conference-turned-lunch-room. They’re all very nice, and I’m immediately
comfortable with the whole group. Sally and Molly like to gossip, providing
more information on Colin than I’ve learned thus far, yet the truth of the
information remains to be seen.
    “Charlie,
did you know John Montgomery is Colin’s father-in-law?” Sally says in a low,
conspiring tone.
    I
shake my head, no, surprised to learn Colin is so closely connected with his
wife’s family.
    “Have
you met Ella yet?” Molly is indignant, one corner of her mouth lifts as if she
has tasted something unpleasant.
    I
laugh. “No, I haven’t, at least I don’t think so. Who is she?”
    “You
would remember if you did; she constantly looks pissed off. She’s John’s daughter,
Colin’s sister-in-law.”
    “In
that case, I may know who she is.” I’m remembering the pretty blond woman who
gave me a nasty look at the press conference. I describe her to Molly and
Sally.
    “That’s
Ella. Stay away from her, Charlie; she’s nasty business. Rumor has it Colin was
dating Ella, and dumped her when he met her hot sister,” Sally chimes in,
shaking her head.
    My
eyes grow wide. “Really? Why does she work for him, then? I mean, I wouldn't
want to constantly be around an ex that dumped me for my sister. That would
suck.”
    They
both laugh, but Molly responds, “Yeah, it does suck, and that’s why she’s so
mad all the time. I think she hopes one day he’ll change his mind and get back
with her. Honestly, she was probably happy when her sister died; wouldn’t
surprise me if she didn’t mourn for her niece, either.”
    “What?”
    “You
didn’t know?” Molly’s face falls sadly. “His baby died in the car accident
too.”
    I
put my hand over my heart and close my eyes. “That’s so heartbreaking. How long
ago did they die?”
    “Five
years ago.”
    Sally
changes the direction of our conversation, expanding more on the Montgomerys.
“Apparently John has been pushing Colin in this direction for as long he’s
known their family. Even after Colin’s wife died, John stayed tight with Colin
to push him into the White House, planning the timeline, helping him get voted
into the Senate. I’ve heard he’s extremely loyal to Colin, and on some level
ruthless in his tactics to ensure he’s elected.”
    When
I ask what they mean neither go into detail, so I let it go.
    ~
    After
lunch I meet with Sally and Matt, who work in the communications division with
John. I’m amazed by all of the media workings of a massive campaign, and
surprised at the confidence Colin has in my talent. It’s startling to think of
the massive responsibility and undertaking I’ve agreed to, given the last
president was said to take over his competitor in the polls with advanced
Internet communications. Colin’s will have to be better, more in-depth, and at
the same time honest and easy to use to garner the same or more participation
than prior campaigns.
    Late
in