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Camille nodded. “I think it’s a great idea. Whit could be a real asset.”
“I was hoping you’d feel that way. I am concerned, though, about your mother. I know it’s been very hard for her seeing us together, and I would hate to upset her further.”
Camille’s eyes filled, and she reached out to take Sloane’s hand. “Mom will come around. You just need to give her time. It was incredibly hard for her, losing both Robert and Peg. I know she feelsguilty for not realizing how unwell Peg really was. And, frankly, I think she blames Whit, although you and I both know how Peg could be. I didn’t have a blind spot where she was concerned, the way Robert and Mom did.”
Sloane hesitated to speak ill of the dead, and so she refrained from commenting further on Peg’s destructive self-absorption and Robert’s devotion to her, despite the fact that she agreed with Camille.
“Your mother couldn’t have known. None of us did. And I’ll admit, I never would have imagined Whit and me together, but it isn’t as if we planned it. There’s something about shared grief, I suppose. He and Robert were so close that it feels like I still have a part of Robert with me.”
“You don’t have to justify anything to me. I’m glad you’ve found happiness again, and I’ve always liked Whit. I’m sure he put up with a lot behind closed doors; things that we have no idea about.”
“Thank you. I hope one day Rosemary will feel the same way.”
Camille cocked her head to the side. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but I don’t want you to be blindsided.”
“What is it?”
“Mom believes there could be something to Peg’s assertion that Whit was cheating on her.”
Sloane remained quiet.
Camille put up a hand. “I don’t agree, mind you. But she may call you and tell you this, so I’d rather you be prepared. Last night Mom had dinner with Liz Dvorak, who works in Senator Mackai’s office in the Russell Building. She happened to see Whit get into Madelyn’s car last Wednesday. I’m sure it was just a business meeting, but Mom’s determined to make something of it.”
Sloane felt her stomach drop. She was supposed to have met Whit for lunch after a meeting at the foundation that day, but he’d texted at the last minute to say he’d been called in to a meeting. She held her breath, hoping Camille wouldn’t see how rattled she was, and then said the first thing that came into her mind. “Madelyn picked him up for a meeting. Whit told me about it. Of course, there’s nothing going on, just as you said,” Sloane said, improvising. She didn’t want Camille to know that the revelation had taken her by surprise. Or that she was royally pissed that Whit hadn’t mentioned it to her.
“Why don’t we order lunch and change the subject? Tell me about your time in Brussels,” Sloane said, her voice a little too bright.
- 9 -
ATHENA
Athena placed a mug of black coffee on the table next to Clint, where he sat reading the four pages of notes she’d given him. His lanky frame sprawled from the chair, one long leg crossed over the knee of the other, and he rubbed two fingers against his temple as he scanned the text. Athena sat opposite him in her kitchen nook, watching his face for any reaction, but as always, he betrayed no hint of what he might be thinking. It was something she’d learned from him and tried to emulate, not always successfully.
When he flipped two pages back to reread something, Athena began impatiently tapping her finger on the arm of the chair. Clint stopped reading and stared at her.
“Do you mind?” he said.
Athena crossed her arms and raised her chin. “Not at all. Take all the time you want.”
He put down the papers and picked up the coffee, taking a long swallow before speaking. “Look, we’re on the same side, remember? We’ll have all the bases covered before your interview with the senator, so let’s relax and address the things you’ve outlined here. I know you’re a little nervous, but everything will be fine.”
Athena closed her eyes and let out a big breath. “You’re right,” she admitted. “I think I’m more impatient than nervous. I just want to get this interview over with and stop playing out scenarios in my head.”
“I get that. Too much thinking can drive you crazy,” he said, picking up her notes and turning to the first page. “Don’t let the vaunted Senate office and all the trappings of power intimidateyou. You know the saying—he puts his pants on the same way everybody else does.”
“I know, I know.”
“If you get a tough question, buy yourself time. Don’t rush. Take a deep breath and ask him to repeat the question. You’ve got this.”
Athena gave him a probing look. “There’s a lot at stake. A lot to play for.” Clint had no idea exactly how much was at stake for her personally, and she had no intention of telling him.
“There is. And that’s why we’re overpreparing.”
“Do you want a refill before we go on?” she asked.
“I’m good.”
“I’ve done extensive research into the foundation, poring over the annual reports to see what kind of money is flowing in and out of there. Of course, the real story will come once I have access to the foundation’s actual financial records. I’ve also read up on the senator’s voting record and acquainted myself with his priorities so I know what his hot buttons are.”