VETO Seeking the presidency can be a killer!

Veto

Author Jan Sumner

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Jan Sumner and JaDan Publishing

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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VETO

Chapter 1

The lid of the mailbox slammed shut, startling him from his daze. Was this really happening or some nightmarish slumber from which he would soon awaken?

Oh, it was real all right - as real as anything he’d ever been through in his life. The very fact that he was trying to escape made it real, all too real. Whatever the case, Ty had tried to explain it all in the letter to Morgan. But how in the world would she understand? After all, this was her father he was talking about. Not only her father, but also the leading Republican candidate for President of the United States.

He couldn’t worry about that now; he had to disappear. He kept going over it and over it in his mind while waiting for what seemed like an eternity for the plane to leave the gate. Did I leave any tracks - could they possibly know where I’m going? How could they? I took every imaginable precaution and no one knows where I’m going…except me.

Sir, could you please fasten your seat belt? We’ll be taking off soon.

Oh yeah, sorry, I was just… Just confused, afraid, and most certainly bewildered by how his life had spiraled out of control.

Up to this point, Tyler Flynn had been relatively successful and happy. He’d met Morgan at a mutual friend’s party a little over a year ago, and it was chemistry at first sight. She was working for her dad’s campaign and, besides being beautiful, was brilliant as well. But what attracted Ty was her wit and warmth. He’d never had much use for politics, or maybe more accurately, the people in it. Morgan, however, was like a breath of fresh air. She seemed real, genuine, and maybe a little naïve, at least about political affairs. It had been over two years since his breakup with Laura. She’d had every intention of getting married, but Ty just knew something wasn’t quite right. The longer they were together, the more he knew it wasn’t going to work out. It ended abysmally. He’d only dated off and on since then and wasn’t really looking…until Morgan strolled into his life.

It was everything he had ever hoped for - love, passion, laughter, great tête-à-tête, and romance. It was a match made in – well, Chicago. Since 1957 Ty had been running his own insurance loss/control business and, after four hard years of paying his dues, now had several sizeable customers, and the work, besides being varied, allowed him some freedom to pursue other things – like Morgan.

They both liked to sail on Lake Michigan, go to Cubs games, dinner and a movie, but their greatest enjoyment was each other. He never dreamed he could get this close to someone. They’d lay holding each other and have soft whispering conversations that would go on for hours. He loved her more than he thought possible.

They’d been seeing each other for about two months when he finally met her family. Her father, Cornell Eastman, was having a fund raising dinner at the Chicago Hilton in downtown. He was coming off of a very successful two-term residency as a United States senator and had now turned his attention, aspirations and finances toward the presidency. At first meeting it was hard to get a gauge on the man. He was, after all, being political. He was about six feet tall, slightly overweight, partially bald, but had a commanding way about him…a man in charge. Ty could feel the magnetism and sense of power about him. Ty had certainly read about him and had heard nothing but great things about him from Morgan. Jennifer, his wife, seemed a little more distant and decidedly less political. She was classy with a warm softness about her, yet there was a palpable inner strength. It appeared that at times she was playing the game, but she wasn’t at ease with it. Given his knowledge and recently discovered insight into the political arena, Ty liked her. Then there was her brother Steve, tall, thin and fragile, whom Ty had never met until now. Morgan never talked about him much, only that he was two years younger and moved in a different circle. He was there, but reluctantly so. Ty tried to strike up a conversation, So, Steve what have you been up to?

What? Oh you know, just working and things.

Ty could see this was going to be less than informative. Really? Where do you work?

I’m sorry. Can we discuss this later? I really have to go.

With that, he rushed out a back door of the hotel. It didn’t really matter. Ty wasn’t going to have much to do with him anyway, he figured. The evening ended on what appeared to be a positive note - Cornell’s rousing speech. Morgan and Ty at last made their way back to Ty’s apartment.

Wow, what an exhausting evening, Ty gasp while collapsing on the couch. Do you have to do this all the time?

Well, as often as I can. It’s for my dad you know. Morgan whispered nestling in next to him.

"Yeah, I know. But do you really enjoy it?’

Enjoy? Huh, I’m not sure that’s the word that fits. Maybe, fulfilled, she said, looking worn out.

Fulfilled? That’s curious. How so?

"Ty, I know this is all new to you and it’s really not your interest, but politics have occupied my life since I can remember. At first I hated it. I was young and didn’t like all the attention. TV, radio, newspapers, if it wasn’t one, it was the other. It seemed someone was always asking us questions or taking our picture. That’s tough when you’re a kid, just trying to be…a kid.

But it meant so much to my dad. He’d always been there for me, well at least to the extent he could, and I’ve just always felt I owed it to him. Does that make sense? He could see she was torn - loyalty to her dad at a tremendous personal sacrifice.

Yeah, certainly that makes sense. But that’s not what I asked you. Is there any part of it that brings you happiness?

No! Will you please drop it now? Her tone had changed.

Sure. Sorry, I just wondered.

As they snuggled on the couch, Ty just couldn’t help himself. So what about your brother?

She looked at him with sad with tired eyes. What do you mean?

Never mind. You asked me to drop it, so I will.

She sighed and nuzzled her head into his chest. In seconds she was asleep. He held her close, hoped she could feel how much he loved her.

Sir? The flight attendant asked leaning in toward Ty’s seat. Excuse me sir. Would you like something to drink?"

No… I’m fine. He reclined the seat and looked back out the window into the endless blue sky wondering if he’d ever get to see her again.

Chapter 2

Morgan! Come on let’s get going. You know we have to be there by eleven.

I know Mattie, but it’s only eight thirty. Give me a break!

Mattie, who was not only Morgan’s closest friend, but also helped with her dad’s campaign, was, as usual, in a hurry. To some of Morgan’s friends, this quality was irritating, but Morgan found it somewhat endearing. Plus, they were always on time.

Oh, here’s your mail. I grabbed it from the mailman on the way in. But don’t be reading it now, we have to GET GOING!

Okay Mattie, just let me see what’s there. You and I both know we still have plenty of time. Heck, they won’t even start the introductions until after ten.

Alright, but you know how I hate being late.

Mattie flopped down on the couch and stared aimlessly up at the ceiling, as she was wont to do, when having to wait. Hearing a gasp from across the room, there sat Morgan with the most horrified, desperate expression on her face Mattie had ever seen.

My God Morgan! What’s wrong? She said jumping up quickly.

As she hurried across the room, she could see that Morgan was shaking like a leaf. Morgan looked up from what she was reading, with terror in her eyes.

You’re scaring me Morgan! What’s wrong?

There was no response, only trembling hands and flowing tears. Mattie hugged her, trying to lessen her pain. Morgan had been through some tough times with her family, school and the political scene, but Mattie had never seen her like this, so distraught. She held her for a while until Morgan fell away and collapsed in the chair. Mattie could see a letter crumpled in Morgan’s hand, but was afraid to ask.

Mattie, would you please give me some time alone? I’ll be okay; I just need to sort through this.

I’ve never seen you like this Morgan. Are you sure you’ll be alright? I can stay, to heck with the reception.

No, please. I need to be alone, she said adamantly.

It has to be that letter. Morgan, what’s in…?

Mattie, please! Respect me on this. I promise I’ll call you later.

You’d better, because you know I won’t wait long. I haven’t even left yet, and I’m worried about you.

As the door closed, Morgan, still in shock and disbelief, began reading further into the letter from Ty.

My Dearest Morgan,

Before you read another word, I want you to know one thing unequivocally. I love you more than I ever thought it possible to love anyone. I fell in love

with you the minute I met you and love you even more today. Whatever happens in our lives, you must remember that.

I have sent you this letter because I had to leave. I didn’t want to. God knows I want to spend the rest of my life with you. But something horrible has happened.

As Morgan read on, it seemed unbelievable what Ty was telling her. Eugene White, her father’s chief legal counsel had been killed seven weeks earlier and, although horrifying, it had been judged accidental. White and her father had been together for many years, and her dad took it very hard. But when you’re in the throws of a presidential campaign, you have to pull together and keep going. That’s exactly what the Eastman family did. Morgan certainly knew Eugene White, but always found him to be distant. He was, however, completely devoted to her father. Besides being a brilliant attorney, he seemed to have a certain insight into the political process that had become almost more valuable than his legal expertise. Now, Cornell Eastman’s right hand man was gone. A significant dent had been placed in his drive to the White House. Eugene was not married and had no children. His father was dead and his mother was in a nursing home