Tracie Peterson - [Desert Roses 01] by Shadows of the Canyon Read Free Book Online Page A

We’ll focus the attention of the country on the fact that Harding rejected Wilson’s League of Nations, ensuring its failure. We’ll remind them that Harding did this, not to mention other things . . . things that will not bode well in the south, where we have strong support.”
    Keegan eyed Joel intently. The idea of scandal seemed to ignite the man’s excitement. “Things such as?”
    Joel wasn’t about to give away all of his strategies and secrets, so he drew on one of the plans that was well-known from the previous election. No doubt it would feed the older man just enough to whet his appetite. “Southern gentlemen do not take kindly to the idea of Negroes filling positions of importance—such as the presidency.”
    “I seem to recall that controversy,” Keegan said, stroking his chin. “Someone issued statements that suggested the president was part Negro. But then there was some sort of proof offered to nix that idea, wasn’t there? Wasn’t the attorney general a part of that problem as well?”
    Joel nodded. “Harry Daughtery was then Mr. Harding’s campaign manager. He issued public statements declaring there was no truth to the rumor of Harding’s questionable lineage.”
    “But you have proof to suggest otherwise?” Keegan questioned.
    Joel smiled. “What need do we have of proof? If the issue is brought up at the appropriate moment, with the most damaging slant, it matters very little if we have to recant our words after the election. People will remember the problem from 1920. If given in the right manner, it will eat at them, wear away their trust in the administration. This, added to other issues of trust, will soon destroy their faith in Harding.”
    “Gentlemen, politics is a dirty little game,” Winthrop drawled in a slow, southern manner. “I do despise the use of such tactics, but sometimes these things are necessary. After all, the end results are all that matter.”
    “Agreed,” Keegan said, nodding enthusiastically.
    Joel thought the man rather ridiculous and dull. He was no different than any of the other men of means who sought to better themselves by aligning their name to that of a powerful senator or governor. But Joel couldn’t fault him too much. Joel himself had come into the game by the same means. His own father had long ago disowned him for his gambling and questionable behavior. When trouble came knocking, Joel had a penchant for not only opening the door, but for making it his bedfellow as well.
    “You would dance with the devil himself,” his father had declared on the night he’d sent Joel from the family home.
    “Only if he let me lead,” Joel had called back, acting for all the world as if this dismissal from his family meant nothing at all. However, it had meant more than he’d ever allowed his father to know. More than he ever would let anyone know.
    Leaving his childhood home in 1913, Joel had quickly learned the meaning of friendship, both assumed and real. He settled himself near Washington, D.C., and made fast friends with the politicians of the area. He cut back on his gambling, or rather, he became more selective with the places he frequented. Early on, Joel realized he needed money to maintain his pretense of a wealthy Virginia son. The scheme had paid off, and Winston Winthrop found him to be a kindred spirit. Hiring the intelligent, quick-learning Joel at the age of twenty-seven, Winthrop had made no secret of the fact that he considered Joel as a potential husband for his daughter, Valerie.
    Joel saw this as the ultimate revenge against his father. The Winthrops were worth millions in old money, while the Harpers were new industrial money and didn’t come anywhere near the same income association. Joel’s father would never let the truth of their parting be known, so for all the rest of the world, it seemed Joel was simply an independent, headstrong young man, out to further the good of the family name. And that was just as Joel wanted