Election Day (By Design Book 10)

by J. A. Armstrong

  “Stop taking this on yourself. It’s not your fault. This is on them.”

  “And, it hurts you.”

  “I’m okay.”

  Candace held Jameson’s gaze. “Are you sure?”

  “Completely.”

  Candace fell back into Jameson’s arms. “Please tell me this is all worth it.”

  “It will be.”

  “Do you really believe that?” Candace asked.

  Jameson held Candace tighter. “Yeah, I do.”

  AUGUST 28th

  “Relax, Mom. JD will be fine.”

  Candace was unconvinced. Jameson was taping a live interview with Katie Brennan. Candace had known Katie for years. She trusted her as much as she trusted anyone in the media. She also understood that journalists had a job to do. Dana had suggested that Jameson appear on the morning talk show before endeavoring to talk to anyone else one on one. Katie Brennan was fair-minded and intelligent. She had endured her share of scrutiny when she married her wife a few years earlier. Katie had suggested that a live segment would be advisable. Although she endeavored to keep her political opinions out of interviews, it was public knowledge that Katie Brennan was a passionate advocate for civil rights who leaned left. She had even called Candace. A live interview would reduce at least some of the blowback that might claim the interview was staged. All of that should have eased Candace’s mind. But she understood that Katie Brennan was no rookie. Katie would press Jameson appropriately albeit respectfully. There were no do-overs, no edits in a live segment. Why she had agreed to allow Jameson to do this continued to perplex her.

  “I should never have let her do this.”

  “I don’t think you had much choice,” Michelle said.

  Candace shot her daughter a harsh glance.

  “Hey, don’t get mad at me.”

  “I’m sorry, Shell.”

  “She’ll be fine. Katie is in your corner.”

  “Katie is a TV host with a job to do.”

  “She’s also a thoughtful journalist.”

  “Who needs ratings.”

  “And is a lifelong Democrat. Relax, Mom. Dana couldn’t have picked a better place for Jameson to appear. Plus, JD has become a pro.”

  “This isn’t the same, Shell. It’s a different ballgame.”

  Michelle was growing frustrated with her mother. Lately, Candace had been on edge. Jameson had seemed confident that morning when she left for the studio. And, Michelle knew that Candace had spoken with Katie. She couldn’t understand what was driving her mother’s obvious displeasure. “What’s up with you?”

  “What are you talking about?” Candace bit.

  “That. No offense, Mom, you’ve been in bitch mode for days.”

  “I don’t like this.”

  “Okay. This? You mean Jameson giving this interview?”

  “What else would I mean?”

  “I don’t know. What are you worried about? Is it that JD will fall apart or is it because you think if she does it will hurt you in the polls?”

  Candace’s face grew hot. “Watch it, Shell.”

  Michelle shook her head. “Yeah, sure.” She walked away.

  “What was that all about?” Dana asked Candace.

  “Nothing.”

  “You okay?”

  Candace made no reply.

  Dana nodded. “I’ll let you be.”

  ***

  “You all right?” Katie asked Jameson.

  “I’m good.”

  Katie sighed. “Listen, I’ve been told this is fairly painless.”

  “Good to know.”

  “You ready?”

  Jameson nodded.

  Katie adjusted her earpiece and waited for the signal. She offered Jameson an encouraging smile before turning to the camera.

  “I’m delighted and honored to introduce you to this morning’s guest. There’s a lot more to Jameson Reid than being married to New York’s enigmatic governor. I’ve already discovered that she loves coffee as much as I do. She’s taken some time out of her hectic schedule to be with us this morning. I don’t think she needs any more introduction than that, so let’s get right to it. Thank you for giving us a little time on this hot Monday morning.”

  ***

  Candace took a deep breath. She’d been dreading today. Michelle’s words were ringing in her brain. Had she been in “bitch mode?” Maybe she had. More than one unexpected issue had landed on her desk. There had been two officer-involved shootings in New York City that were under investigation and causing stress for both the community and law enforcement. That had exacerbated the narrative about Jameson. Jameson’s uncle had taken to calling her a traitor to her roots and her family. He’d spouted that her Uncle Patrick would be ashamed of her choices—aligning herself with a governor who preferred criminals to cops. After all, Jameson was the granddaughter and niece of blue bloods. His attacks didn’t end there. He accused Jameson of turning her back on her Catholic upbringing, and that she’d led her cousin to follow a dark path that led to his death. He did much of it with Jed Tyler in the background, maintaining that Jameson was a “token lesbian,” riding the governor’s coattails to easy street. The entire thing made Candace sick. Jameson’s father, brother, Scott, and Jonah had all expressed their desire to “beat the shit” out of both Jerry Donnelly and Jed Tyler. Jameson had spent long hours reeling them in. That was just the tip of the iceberg.

  Alex had called Candace to let her know that the investigation into Lawson Klein’s relationship with Petru Rusnac had been re-opened. And, it wasn’t only the FBI following the trail. Alex didn’t know everything. She did suspect that there was money filtering into the DNC from abroad. And, she suspected that the plan was to create a trail to Candace. Candace had acted immediately. It was a complicated situation. Cutting off the funds that were being deposited might hinder any chance of locating the source. If she failed to close the hole, she risked questions about her leadership ability and her integrity as the leader of the party. If she did shut it all down, she might never learn who was behind the plan. That was something as president she would need to know.

  Amid all of it, Cooper had fallen prey to a nasty ear infection. The pediatrician told her and Jameson that he suspected Cooper had suffered a few during his early years that had not been treated properly. Cooper would likely be prone to them in the future. Candace was being pulled in a thousand directions. She was on stage for what seemed to be twenty-four hours a day. She couldn’t afford to appear rattled on a stage or in front of a camera. She realized as she replayed her interaction with Michelle, she had taken her frustrations out on those closest to her. You’ve got some fences to mend, Candace. She took another deep breath and listened as Jameson engaged with Katie Brennan.

  ***

  “I can’t imagine the last month has been easy for you,” Katie said.

  Candace smiled. Open-ended questions—good.

  “You mean with my uncle and Jed Tyler doing the two-step?”

  “Is that what you call it?” Katie asked.

  “I’m not sure what to call it.”

  “You didn’t expect it?”

  “No. The truth is my uncle has been estranged from the family since my cousin Craig died.”

  “You were close to your cousin as I understand.”

  “He was my best friend growing up, he and my cousin Scott. They both fell into partying when we were in high school.”

  “And you didn’t?” Katie asked gently.

  Jameson chuckled. “I was too busy being the geek,” she said. “And trying to stay in the closet.”

  Katie smiled.

  “They got caught breaking into a house. It threw the whole family into chaos. Two of my uncles were cops at the time. It wasn’t pretty.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “It’s a badge of honor, you know? Being part of the Donnelly family. That’s how we were brought up. So much so that Scott and I both were given Donnelly as our middle name.”

  “What would
you say to your uncle if you could? If he was listening right now, what would you want to say?”

  Jameson shook her head and sighed. “You know, I’ve thought about that a lot. I think I would want him to know how much he’s hurt my mom. I don’t like to revisit the past too much. What happened to Craig tore our family apart. But the truth is, he hurt Craig too. Craig just wanted to please him. He was a kid. He made a mistake and it ended his life. I wish that I could have stopped it somehow. I wish I’d known what he was doing. I was away at college. Maybe if I’d been there…”

  A tear rolled over Candace’s cheek. No matter how much time passed, and no matter how much healing occurred, a part of Jameson would always wonder if she could have somehow saved Craig. Oh, Jameson.

  “I think we all have those moments in life,” Katie said. “How do you feel about what’s been happening in New York? One of your uncles recently retired from the NYPD. Your wife had been reserved in her support of the officers under investigation.”

  “She’s also reserved in her absolution of the people who were shot. Candace doesn’t jump to immediate judgment like most people do. That’s why she has the job she has.”

  “What about you?” Katie gently pressed.

  “I think that walking the streets as an officer is a tough job. I think that when you are out there, you have less than a second to decide whether to pull the trigger. You don’t have the benefit of analyzing videos or listening to stories about the person you are confronting. It’s you or them. You want to go home to your kids. That’s what I think.”

  “Have you ever shared that with the governor?”

  Jameson chuckled. “Many times.”

  “And, what does she say?”

  “She understands. There are also people out there who carry a badge who shouldn’t,” Jameson said. “My Uncle Patrick always said that a cop’s worst enemy was a bad cop. He used to say that criminals come in every shade, even blue.”

  “Sounds like an enlightened man.”

  “I don’t know. He’d lived through things.”

  “And, the governor?”

  “Candace? She’s lived through plenty. She waits for the facts to come in. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have feelings. She does. She gets that two families are suffering. And, she knows that the cop who takes a life because he or she fears for theirs will never be the same again. She’s talked to those cops. She’s talked to the families of the cops who are killed in the line of duty, and she’s had to comfort the families of unarmed teenagers who’ve been killed by a cop. She doesn’t have the luxury of jumping to conclusions. There’s too much at stake.”

  Katie nodded. “I have to ask; you must have had some idea that people would call your relationship into question.”

  “Sure. I just didn’t expect anyone to question my sexuality.”

  “Fair. Now that someone has, does it make you question this path you’re following?”

  “You mean being married to Candace?”

  “I mean being married to someone seeking the presidency.”

  “No.”

  Katie looked genuinely surprised. “Not even a little?”

  “No, not even a little.”

  Michelle stepped back into the room and watched as Candace wiped the tears from her cheek. She stepped up and placed her hands on her mother’s shoulders. Candace reached back and held Michelle’s right hand.

  “She loves you,” Michelle said.

  “I know.”

  Jameson continued. “I’ve never regretted anything about being with Candace. I’ve regretted losing my patience a few times. I’ve had to apologize more than once for letting my mouth run away from my head. I’ve never had a second thought about our marriage or any part of it. That includes the decision for her to run this campaign.”

  “Even with the pressure it’s caused?”

  “It’s no more pressure than those families we were just talking about. It might be different; it’s not more.”

  “I’m curious,” Katie said.

  “You don’t say?” Jameson quipped.

  Katie chuckled. “Tell me why you think Candace should be president?”

  “How long is your show?” Jameson replied.

  “Not as long as I’d like,” Katie replied.

  Jameson nodded. “There are so many reasons, I’m not sure how to narrow them down.”

  “Give it your best shot.”

  “Most people have never had the chance to meet Candace. I have an advantage. Our family has an advantage. We know her. Sure, she’s smart. She’s experienced and well-educated. She’s informed—all those things you hear people on the campaign trail talk about—all the things that shows like this one discuss. There are plenty of people who are intelligent and educated, even prepared. I’ve met them. I’ve never met anyone like Candace. She doesn’t do this because she’s trying to prove something about herself. She does it because she wants to make a difference. I’ve seen her up in the middle of the night trying to find a way to get people to the table and pass some piece of legislation. That’s after she’s spent hours trying to comfort our son while he suffers from an earache. She doesn’t think she has all the answers, but she does believe there are answers. And, she won’t quit until she finds them.” Jameson took a breath. “And, if it matters, she is the funniest person I’ve ever met. She’s real. She’s not perfect. She’s real.”

  Katie smiled at Jameson. “And, if she loses?”

  “Life will go on for all of us. That’s what she would say. It will. We’ll all get up the next day just like we did today and we’ll go on. Win or lose, things will be different. In a family as big as ours you learn to expect the unexpected.”

  “How does the family feel about all of this?”

  “We have our moments,” Jameson said. “It’s not a magazine cover.” She chuckled. “Four kids, six grandchildren, spouses and parents, brothers—there are a lot of personalities and everyone has an opinion about everything. We sat down with all the kids before Candace decided to do this. It’s not easy sharing her with the world. It is worth it. She has too much to offer for any of us to hold her back.”

  “Last question. Let’s pretend that you land in the White House for the next eight years, what do you hope life will be like when you leave?”

  “For us or for you?” Jameson asked.

  “I told you,” Michelle said. “She’s a pro.”

  Candace squeezed Michelle’s hand.

  “Both,” Katie said.

  “For you, I hope it will be a little bit better. I hope that you will feel that Candace’s presidency improved your life in some way. I don’t know what that will look like. I’m not the policy expert. Maybe you will have to worry less about your kids’ education or who you love. Maybe the environment will be cleaner. In some way, I would hope you would feel the difference.”

  “And, for you?”

  Jameson smiled. “I look forward to an entire week with no talk shows, no speeches, no advisers calling in the middle of the night, and no crisis beyond a crying baby or a need to grind more coffee.”

  Katie laughed. “Crying babies?”

  “Not mine,” Jameson clarified. “The way Candace’s kids are adding them, I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m changing diapers into my sixties.”

  Candace shook her head with amusement. “Why should it be any different for her?”

  Michelle laughed along with her mother. “Feel better?” she asked.

  Candace tugged on Michelle’s hand and pulled her over to the sofa. “I’m sorry, Shell.”

  “It’s okay, Mom.”

  “No, it isn’t. I’ve been a bitch.”

  “Nah, just in bitch mode.”

  “There’s a difference?”

  “A big one. I know you have a lot on your mind,” Michelle said. “Just remember that we are all here for you. You’re always so busy worrying about everyone that you forget that sometimes.”

  “Been talking to Jameson?”

  “Maybe, bu
t I don’t need JD to see what’s going on. I’ve worked with you for years now. I get it. You can’t let the strain show to most people.”

  “That doesn’t excuse me hurting you—any of you.”

  “You didn’t.”

  Candace raised her brow.

  “You didn’t. You might have pissed us off a little.”

  Candace laughed. “Well, I will try not to do that in the future.”

  Michelle let the apology lie. She didn’t need an apology. “What’s next on your agenda?”

  “Funny you should ask,” Candace said.

  “Why is that?”

  “I was thinking coffee.”

  “There’s a coffee maker right there.” Michelle pointed across the room.

  “Well, I was thinking you and I might escape this room for an hour or so.”

  “Gil will love that.”

  “He’s used to it,” Candace said.

  “You enjoy driving him crazy, don’t you?”

  Candace winked. “Not at all.”

  ***

  Candace heard the door open and immediately went to greet Jameson.

  “I thought you had a meeting with the mayor?” Jameson asked.

  “I canceled.”

  “Why?”

  “Something unexpected came up.” Candace closed the remaining distance between them and kissed Jameson lovingly.

  “Was my interview that good?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I missed something,” Jameson said.

  “No, I did. Michelle set me straight.”

  Jameson’s face contorted in confusion.

  “Stop,” Candace swatted her.

  “Shell set you straight?”

  “Okay, I get the joke.”

  Jameson grinned.

  “I’ve been a bitch.”

  “Shell called you a bitch?”

  “No, she said I was in ‘bitch mode.’ I called me a bitch.” Candace chuckled when Jameson made no reply. “Good to know you agree.”

  Jameson put her arms around Candace’s waist. “I love you even when you are a bitch.”