Mounting Fears

28

BARBARA ORTEGA LOOKED AROUND THE ROOM THAT HAD BEEN HER OFFICE FOR THE past three years. The walls were bare of her diplomas, her law license, and the collection of photographs that had followed her life from childhood through high school and college and through law school. Four boxes of files stood ready for transfer to the state archives, and another two held her personal files. Everything was ready for the movers, so when Mike Rivera's swearing-in ceremony was over, his chief of staff could move immediately into the office.

Barbara sat down on the sofa and began remembering the first time she and Marty Stanton had made love-on that very sofa. Not that it was making love; it was just straight fucking, and she had loved every second of it. Lovemaking came later, at a friend's apartment and various other locations, none of which they had used more than once. God, she thought, they had been careful. No one had twigged their affair, least of all Betty Stanton.

Now she would be on her way to Washington, to start the new job, if she was lucky, and to look for another, if she wasn't. If Justice didn't work out, Marty would help her find something else good, she was sure of it. Her apartment looked pretty much like her office, she reflected. She had thrown away or donated everything she could do without, sold her furniture, and arranged for the utilities to be disconnected soon.

Barbara Ortega had burned her bridges.

MARTIN STANTON'S ARRIVAL in Sacramento was much better covered than his departure from Washington. Every political reporter who had covered him for seven years was there, cameras were pointed, TV lights switched on. He paused at the top of the boarding stairs and tried to look surprised, then he walked quickly down to where a microphone had been set up.

"Good afternoon," he said to the crowd, and they hushed. "It's great to be back in Sacramento, even if only for the day. After I left to go to the Democratic Covention in New York, events took a sudden turn, and my feet have hardly touched the ground since then. In the space of a very few weeks I have become the Democratic candidate for vice president, then appointed to the unexpired term of the great George Kiel, then confirmed by the Senate, then, this morning, sworn into office. No politician has ever had such a roller-coaster ride. I want to thank all my friends in Sacramento and in all of California whose unwavering support of me over the years made all this possible. Any questions?"

"Gov… Mr. Vice President, have you resigned from the governorship?"

"I faxed my resignation to the secretary of state early this morning, and I'm delivering the original document to him today," Stanton replied, patting his inside pocket.

"How long have you and Mrs. Stanton been planning the divorce, sir?"

"That's a private matter, not connected to my government service, either in Sacramento or Washington, and I won't be answering any questions about it. Neither will Mrs. Stanton, whom I hold in high regard."

Barbara Ortega suddenly appeared at his side. "That will be all the questions," she said. "The vice president has an inauguration to attend." She guided him into the governor 's limousine, and once the doors were closed, pressed the button that closed the window between the driver and passenger compartments.

"It's good to see you," Stanton said, reaching across the seat and squeezing her hand.

"And you, baby," she replied.

Stanton glanced at the driver, as if to warn her.

She nodded and handed him a sheet of paper. "Here's your schedule: first the swearing-in, then some dinner and an appearance at Mike's inaugural ball, which will be at a downtown hotel, then this limo will whisk you to San Francisco, where you're in a big suite at the Ritz-Carlton for the night. I'd like to join you there."

Stanton shook his head. "This is the only time we're going to have alone. It's important that you be seen at the ball tonight after I've gone."

She nodded. "I know, I was just dreaming. I've packed up your office and shipped your personal files to the house at the Naval Observatory. I've packed my things, too."

"You've already resigned?"

"Simultaneously with you. Mike has his own chief of staff, and, anyway, he wouldn't want me around here. I've sublet my apartment, and I'm leaving for Washington on Monday."

"You got the job already?"

"I've been told I'm a serious candidate, but if I don't get it I'll find something else. I've got a pretty good rйsumй, you know."

"Don't I know it."

"You'll help me, if I need it, won't you?"

"I'll do everything I can without being seen to do it. I've already talked to Will Lee about you, and he's sent a recommendation to the AG."

"Oh, thank you, Marty. I'm more confident than ever now."

"After the election, when I've got my feet on the ground in Washington, we'll bump into each other somewhere."

"I know the plan."

"It'll take me a while to get settled into the office, since I'll hardly be in Washington at all between now and the election. They've got a schedule for me you wouldn't believe."

"What's with the G-III?" she asked.

"The big Boeing was down, and they have to keep one ready for the president. I was comfortable, though."

"You make them be nice to you, or I'll have to come straighten them out."

"Don't worry. I'll be traveling in a campaign plane, a Boeing Business Jet, which will have room for press and staff."

"What are you going to do about a chief of staff?"

"You know, I haven't had a moment to think about it. I don't know what I'm going to do without you running things for me."

"All in good time," she said. She looked out the window. "We're here. You get out, and I'll take the car on to the garage. I'll see you at the ball. I have a date with Jimmy Saxon, the Silicon Valley guy."

"I hope he's gay."

"Don't tell anybody, but he is."

Stanton got out of the car and began shaking hands.