by Taylor Lee
“Don’t look surprised, Chief. Yeah, we will be paying our volunteers and paying them well. Grant will be loaded with money from all the assholes that have been waiting for years to take Wyatt down. But he still has to raise the money, and he has to make promises to get it. That is a huge help to us. I intend to find out the name of every fucker who gives him money and make a big deal of it. Ninety percent of his money will come from outside of Wyoming. By god, every red blooded person in this state is going to know, and resent, that outsiders are trying to buy this election.
“Of course, we are going to try to buy it, as well. But we will do it with Wyatt’s money. Our money will go to real people. Yeah, we will do ads. We’ll have big rallies with food and booze and everything that makes a campaign fun for everyone. But the heart of the campaign is going to be the individual people who convince one, two, or three of their friends and family to vote for Wyatt. When it gets ugly, and we know it will, those people are going to be the ones who push back the rumors and start new ones about Grant.”
Wyatt puffed on his cigar with a thoughtful frown. “Great plan, Tom. But, we have less than three months before the special election. How the hell do you expect to get all this in place by then?”
“Wyatt, with your permission, I am going to bring in every available Caballero from across the country. Each one will manage a geographic area. And I want to bring in most of my people from Washington. My people know the political game inside and out. I need them here in Wyoming to help me. But the guts of the plan will be our volunteers. Ideally, within two weeks, we will have one person on our team for every five voters in Wyoming. Every one of those volunteers will be loaded down with fliers and posters with your handsome face. When the garbage starts, we will give those volunteers anonymous scandal sheets describing every disgusting illegal shit that Grant has taken in his life.
“Christ, Tom, will I have any money left when you are done?”
“It will be worth every cent, Wyatt. Keep remembering the alternative. Picture that fat fucker with his filthy cigar sitting in the governor’s house. We aren’t going to let that happen!”
Lei was studying the red stars Tom had placed across the map on the wall.
“Do those stars represent meetings?”
“Exactly. Some large—big rallies, some small.”
A tiny concerned frown marred her smooth brows. “Will Wyatt need to be at all of them?”
Tom met her gaze directly. “Yeah, Lei, he will. And there will be a lot more of them. I think the hardest part for you and the children will be that he is going to be gone for most of the campaign.
Wyatt sat up straight in his chair, “Now, Tom that is going to be a problem. You know how connected I am to Lei and the children. We can’t be apart like that. They are going to have to come with me.
Tom sighed and glanced up at the ceiling, as if looking for guidance. “I don’t know how to say this any way except directly. First, we have to see how Lei plays out.”
Wyatt reared up, his eyes flashing dangerously. “What the hell are you talking about, Tom?”
Lei turned to Wyatt. Her face and voice were serious. “You know what he is talking about, Wyatt. He means that the more people see of me the less likely they are to vote for you.”
Wyatt slammed both hands down on the desk with a bang. “Then this isn’t going to work.”
Tom ignored him and spoke directly to Lei.
“It isn’t only you, Lei. It is also your father. To be honest, we need to road test it. We have to see how hard Grant is going to hit you and Wan. It embarrasses me to say it, but, if he does, we will have to keep you in the background. That’s the way it will have to be. As for your father, my hope is that he will stay as far away from the campaign as possible.”
They spent the next half hour arguing about Tom’s plan, all of which Wyatt supported, except for the exclusion of Lei. In the end Wyatt conceded. He knew Tom was on target. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew the prejudice against Lei was much more virulent than that against him. He also knew that Wan was a lightening rod. Grant and his team would do everything they could to associate Wan and, by extension Wyatt, with the Tong violence that was raging across the country.
Tom had a devious glint in his eyes. “I have another element to my plan. I want to take on Grant directly. Of course, we will have fliers, posters, and background sheets – all positive about Wyatt and why he should be governor. To make the point, I intend to have a poster of Grant in the immediate vicinity of every one of you. Yours will have your face; his will have his. Enough said!”
His grin faded to a dangerous glare. “But we will also let people know exactly who Grant is, what a disaster he would be for Wyoming. The guy is a lying, thieving bastard and has done more to corrupt the New Mexico territory than any person alive. We need to make sure everyone in Wyoming knows what a scoundrel he is.
“Finally, I want to get the two of you and Grant together, in person, as much as possible. I want to challenge Grant to a series of debates across the state. He will resist, or his campaign will, but we will make it clear—he comes or he is a coward. Remember, Wyatt, every person who sees you, and better yet, who sees you up close next to Grant, will come away knowing who the better candidate is. More important, who is the better man.”
~~~
When Tom returned from Washington ten days later, it was clear why Wyatt valued him the way he did. A hundred Caballeros were strategically assigned across the state. In turn, they had identified the twenty most likely volunteers in their assigned areas. Every town with more than fifty people had a campaign office and a paid volunteer in charge of it. The campaign volunteers were chosen for their position in the community, and the number of people they knew. Special priority was given to long time residents, grandmothers, landowners and shopkeepers. Anyone active in the local churches was sought after. By the end of the second week, every campaign office had a brightly colored banner hanging out front. It was plastered with huge photographs of Wyatt in his black cowboy hat and open necked checked shirt – and, what Tom called his “killer grin.” Their campaign slogan, which was everywhere, said simply “Wyatt McManus, Wyoming’s Governor.”
Tom also brought his entire Washington staff back with him. Most of them had never been out of the big city or farther west than Ohio. The idea of being in the Wild West was an exciting adventure. Chosen to help Tom elect Wyatt, their ultimate boss, become governor, was a tribute to their skills. The best part was that they were all selected because they knew what they were doing, and were as good as Tom thought they were.
Most of the Washington staff had never met Wyatt. Tom arranged for an introductory planning session with the ranking staff members, and as many of the Caballeros who could get back to Cheyenne.
Sarah Pritchard, Tom’s long time right hand assistant, was standing with Tom and several others when Wyatt walked into the campaign office. She took one look at the tall, handsome dark haired man with the flashing blue eyes and strong muscled body and said in an appreciative whisper, “Who the hell does that sweet ass belong to? Now that’s MY idea of a cowboy.”
Tom grinned, and said, “Sarah, Ella, Keith, I’d like you to meet Wyatt McManus, the man all of you are going to help become the next governor of Wyoming.”
Wyatt walked over and shook hands with each of them. “Welcome to Wyoming. Thank you for coming. I can use your help. Tom speaks highly of all of you.”
At that moment, several of the Caballeros who had come from across the country entered and crowded around Wyatt. They all moved in close, wanting to shake his hand, and make a personal connection. Wyatt spoke to each of them, asking them specific questions, listening intently to their answers, and then thanked them for their work.
Tom and Sarah stood with Ella and Keith and watched him. They had worked together for years on numerous campaigns. They knew politics and they knew politicians.
Keith said, with an appreciative whistle, “Wow, you were right, Tom. If that
is the way he is with the people who work for him, I can’t wait to see him with potential voters.”
“The best thing about him is there won’t be a difference, Keith. That’s what makes him the best politician I have ever worked with—and he isn’t a politician—at least, until now. I’m telling you, I have seen whole rooms of people stop what they were doing when he walks in. They want to get close to him, shake his hand.”
“Gee, Tom, I wonder why that is,” Sarah said with a guffaw. “Do you suppose it could be his tight ass, or broad shoulders? Or, maybe the most handsome face I have ever seen? How about you, Ella? Are you surprised, like Tom is, that people drool all over the guy?”
Ella laughed and shook her head. “Never. Sarah’s right. He’s downright beautiful. Does he look at every woman the way that he did Sarah and me? Or was that my imagination? Hope not. Like Sarah, I can tell a man who knows how to use his dick, and, if I’ve ever seen one…”
“Ella, back off. I saw him first. I’ll fight you tooth and nail for what he’s stuffed in those tight britches. Oh yes! At least one time before we go back to what now seems like boring Washington,” Sarah said, with a salacious glint in her eye.
“Ladies, ladies. Although when you talk like that it’s hard to call you ladies,” Tom interjected, “Just so you know, the only person who is better looking than Wyatt is Lei, his woman. Lei happens to be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. When you see her, you will…”
“Oh, my god, Tom. Tell me it’s true. You mean he isn’t married?” interrupted Ella.
Tom shook his head with an annoyed scowl. “He’s more than married, girls. Lei is the mother of his children. They are madly in love with each other. And to let you both know, I just made an executive decision. If anyone from our team, besides me, travels around the state with Wyatt, it will be Keith!”
“Unless Keith gets sick or something…” said Ella with a sly smile.
Tom shook his head with a grimace. “Oh Christ, now I suppose I’m going to have to hire a taster for Keith—to keep him from being poisoned!”
Ella and Sarah laughed and went over to the table where everyone was taking their seats. Tom had prepared an update for Wyatt and wanted to lay out a plan for the next several weeks. Even though he always enjoyed bantering with Sarah and Ella, Tom wondered for the first time if he had been wise to bring them. He had worked with them both for years and had utter confidence in their organizational abilities. They kept keep track of hundreds of details. They ran as tight a ship as he could ask for. But, let’s face it, they both were attractive and downright aggressive. In the past, these were why he liked them with him. Until now, their outrageousness had been a positive for their team. He also noticed the way Wyatt had sized them both up. He sighed and thought to himself, I guess years of habit die hard. Goddamn, that’s all he would need. To have the women he brought cause a problem. He was going to speak to them both.
Tom spent the next ten minutes in a rapid fire update of the arrangements to date.
Wyatt listened intently to Tom’s presentation. He interrupted with occasional questions and recommended specific people who would be good volunteers in a given area. They agreed that Wyatt would look over the list of volunteers they had assembled and add his comments. It was clear from his questions that he knew the state intimately. Like Tom, he was an excellent strategist but also a hard taskmaster. It was clear that he expected the best, and from the quality of the people around the table, that he would get it.
“Any other questions, Wyatt?”
“Just, admiration, Tom.” Wyatt turned and nodded to the group. “Once again, welcome to Wyoming. Thank you for coming. Tom is a master at what he does. It is a privilege to work with him. And with all of you. A special welcome to the Caballeros. Goddamn, it’s good to see you men. For those of you who are just meeting us, the Caballeros are the smartest, toughest men you will meet. No one joins me unless specifically invited. I am proud to say that in the twenty years we have ridden together, not a single Caballero has chosen to leave. There isn’t one of them that I wouldn’t trust with my life. It just so happens that is exactly what I do on a daily basis.
“While the primary reason you are here is to help me get elected governor, our task has a higher purpose. Wyoming deserves good government. Clean honest government where everyone gets a fair shake, where they have the ability to rise or fall based on their own ability and hard work, where they can count on a government that has the interests of everyone at heart not only the wealthy few. Those of us who live here fought hard for Wyoming to become a state. We were successful. We also were the first territory to give women the vote. The people here are hard working, honest people who, for the most part, live and let live. Many of them are my friends. Most of them share my desire to make this state a model of good government for the rest of the country.
“But we also have our issues like every other part of the country. I am part Indian, my children are mixed and their mother is part Chinese. Even those of you from the east coast know that is a powder keg. One that can easily be lit by a careless match. Unfortunately, our opponent intends to use a load of dynamite. I promise you, the result will be explosive. Grant Forrester’s goal is to take this state down the road he and his cronies have taken New Mexico. Their vision of success is a place where money is the only language that talks. Where open graft and corruption are the accepted state of affairs. Our task is to stop them. It won’t be easy and it won’t be pretty. With all of you, and with Tom at the helm, I am confident we have the team to give them a hell of a fight, and ultimately succeed.”
There was silence around the table as everyone stared at the impressive man whose eloquent words came easily. There wasn’t a person present who didn’t sense his power and feel committed to the task ahead. Tom’s face glowed with pride.
Wyatt lit a cigar and took a puff. Glancing around the table, he asked, “Any questions?”
Sarah leaned forward. “I have a question, Wyatt. May I call you Wyatt?”
Wyatt leaned back in his chair with an easy smile. “Everyone else does.”
“Why aren’t you married?”
There was a gasp from a number of people and a few uneasy laughs. Tom’s face tightened with anger as he glared at Sarah.
Wyatt continued to sit back. Looking directly at her from half closed eyes, he said, “Before I answer that question, I have one for you. Why do you want to know?”
Loud chuckles from most of the men at the table greeted his response. It was obvious to everyone that the brash woman had met her match. It was equally obvious that none of the Caballeros liked what they saw as a confrontational attitude from an outsider.
Sarah felt heat flush her cheeks. She saw that Tom was angry and noticed the protectiveness from the Caballeros. She tossed her head, thinking to herself that maybe he was accustomed to pushing everyone else around, but he wasn’t going to be able to do that with her.
“I will be writing notices for newspaper people. They are likely to ask about your family. I need to know what to say.”
“I see. My understanding is that everyone who works for Tom is good with words. Why don’t you and your team come up with some ideas? Tom can present the best ones to Lei and me. We will decide which ones we prefer. Any other questions?”
Even Sarah was impressed with the way he cut her down, without losing his pleasant smile or easy attitude. Impressive. He would be a formidable candidate. It was the kind of response that politicians work on for years before they participate in debates or question and answer sessions. Wyatt’s response was natural, unpracticed, and cutting. Tom gave her a look that said he hoped she wouldn’t try that again. Overall she was impressed, and pissed.
As the meeting wound down, Wyatt looked again at the two senior women Tom had brought from Washington. There wasn’t any question about their interest in him or their intentions. The tall blond woman who had asked him why he wasn’t married had the kind of looks many men lusted after. She had a voluptuou
s body, large breasts, ample hips, and an ass to match. She was all curves and pink flesh. She had the open look of a woman who would give as good as she got. She was older, probably in her mid-thirties. There was a hardness, a brashness about her that said she had been around. That she wasn’t easily fooled. Her blond hair and blue eyes spoke to her Scandinavian background. If she had been younger, Wyatt and his friends would have characterized her as a “hay roller.” It was a disrespectful term that referred to buxom farm girls who were good for a roll in the hay. She also had the kind of body that if she wasn’t careful, verged to fat. Indeed, most of the women Wyatt had known who looked like Sarah were solidly heavy women as they aged.
Ella was about the same age and not as pretty as Sarah. Her features, while plain, were pleasant. The lines around her eyes and lips, and her wry smile, promised smart conversation. Lots of experience pushing men around, giving orders. Both women had a toughness that spoke to years of working with politicians and their hangers on. They looked like they didn’t take any crap and usually got what they wanted. Wyatt sighed and thought to himself that it was too damn bad that Sarah had blond hair. He hoped she would be on assignment, somewhere far away, when Lei came to town.