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“It's been a while, so no. If the roles were switched, I’m not sure I would’ve recognized you, especially looking like this.”

So he knew me before Kyle’s required transformation. Before the extensive overhaul from Randi 1.0 to Randi 2.0, I was… well, as my ex put it long ago, haggard. Growing up near the poverty line and clawing your way through life will do that to you.

“Had to look the part,” I finally say. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“I was a TA your first year at Harvard. Constitutional law. You weren’t in the class at the time since you were a freshman, but everyone knew who you were.”

The charity case. Trailer trash who didn’t deserve a spot at the prestigious Harvard. Yep, that’s me. White trash Randi. And with Kyle’s help, those bastard students never let me forget it.

I push down the rising despair thinking about those lonely days and nights during law school evokes. Clearing my throat of the lump lodged in it, I offer a tight-lipped smile. “I'm sorry, I don't remember you specifically, but you do seem familiar.” Unease curls in my belly. What does he think of me based on the rumors, the taunts, and hate dished out because of my background? Searching his green eyes for the answer, I find nothing but steely resolution.

He waves my comment away. “On to the topic I wanted to discuss with you. What details do you know regarding the rising price of oil?”

My shoulders tense, hiking up close to my ears before I roll them back. Straightening my spine, I turn to stare out the window as I debate my reply.

“The truth, as hard as it is to believe, is I don't know a damn thing,” I finally say, hating the words. I'm the fucking VP, yet I have no clue what's going on in my own country because the president wants it that way. He’s been keeping me running around the globe, attending summit after summit with Todd, so when was I supposed to catch wind of it all? “I watched Kyle's press conference this morning, but that's all I know about the overseas angle. But honestly?” Leaning harder against the wall, I press the side of my head against the cool dark wood paneling. “I don't believe it’s an overseas issue. Something else is going on.” After a moment lost in thought, I shift my weight to turn toward Sam. “Why?”

“We're investigating the cause.”

“Why you?” I ask. My nose scrunches as I rack my brain trying to remember exactly what his role is responsible for over at the DOJ. With so many job titles and so many jurisdictions, it’s hard to keep them all straight.

“Our office oversees the Environmental and Natural Resources Division, among others. That’s how this falls under my jurisdiction.”

I nod. “Right. But this seems like a stretch for you to investigate, right? Why would you focus resources on an issue that's so… commercial? Why is this attracting federal attention?” Sure, it’s attracted mine too, but only after my college-age daughter, Taeler, pointed it out months ago while in Austin. The fact that I didn’t notice before her insight still rubs me the wrong way. I’m turning into one of “them” the longer I’m in this city. Too caught up in what’s going on in front of my face to see what the day-to-day life issues are in this country. I need a reality check to pull my focus back to my main goals.

“We have our reasons,” Sam states, giving nothing away.

With a huff, I push off the wall and walk to the grouping of chairs. Choosing the one directly across the hand-carved wooden coffee table from him, I sit and lean back, rubbing my temples. “That’s an evasive answer.”

“Don't you remember from law school? Don't ever give details, incriminating or not. Anything can be used against you at a later date. This is me protecting myself.”

“From me?” I snort. “And why would you need to do that? I’m just me.”

“Maybe that was a plausible response for the Randi from law school, but this Randi Sawyer looks just like one of them.”

“The fuck?” I snap. I’ve never been so insulted in my life.

“Classy.” His tone comes off as chiding, but the smile he’s fighting back speaks volumes. “I need to evaluate if you're in on the circumstances we believe are the cause for the oil spike.”

Again with his wordy answer that doesn’t actually say anything. “Circumstances?” I question with annoyance. “Care to elaborate, Sam?”

“Let’s see here.” Leaning forward, he braces his elbows on his knees. “It’s a surprisingly long list. Abuse of power, fraud, bribery, extortion, corruption.” He ticks off each with a finger, his hard stare never shifting from my shocked one.

“What the hell?” I demand, my spine going ramrod straight. “That’s a… I mean… what are you even talking about?”

“I’ll break it down for you. Abuse of power and fraud by using your role to misuse federal land, allowing drilling in protected oil rich areas. Corruption, bribery, and extortion due to only approving companies with offshore accounts so there’s zero way for us to track where the money is going. Driving the price of gas so high because the other companies can’t compete, causing production in Texas and Alaska to drop so far that the tables of supply and demand flip.” With each word, he's inched closer until he’s practically leaning over the coffee table.

Holy fuck, that’s a lot of accusations. Detailed ones. Where in the hell does he think all that’s coming from?

“I don't know… I didn't… who the hell would do that?” My words are rushed and panicked.

“The president.”

Ah, well, that makes sense. I’ll give him that much.

4

Randi