Another Notch in the Beltway by L. A. Long Page B

about?”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about it, given where you are and who you’re with. It’s your private business.”
    â€œWe’re beyond that,” he said, looking at Lenore.
    â€œAll right, LaSandra is mentioned, too, but only as an afterthought or maybe not, I don’t know.”
    â€œGive me a hint.”
    â€œIt has to do with a child that was yours, then your sister’s and brother-in-law’s, then your brother-in-law split, and your sister and son/nephew died in an auto accident. I’m guessing this is the child you went into debt to care for.”
    â€œJesus H. Christ where did that come from? It’s true.”
    â€œI’m sorry, so very sorry, MP, and I’m sure what’s been reported is not the way it happened,” Nik said.
    â€œJesus.”
    â€œMP, take a few minutes and read the article, tell Lenore, and then the three of us can have a conference call.”
    â€œAll right, thanks for the heads-up.”
    â€œWe need to get out in front of this. If we have to, we’ll get legal involved. I have media contacts in London, and the quicker we squash this, the better,” Nikko said adamantly.
    â€œI hear you, lass. We’ll be in touch.”
    â€œWhat is it?” Lenore asked. “I can tell by your face it’s something horrendous.”
    â€œHorrendous is too strong a word. I’ve known horrendous, and I’m pretty sure while it’s awful, it’s not horrendous. Nikko shot me an e-mail link to
The Sentinel
.”
    â€œThe British rag that puts any of New York’s to shame.”
    â€œYes, there’s an article in there about me and according to Nik, you’re mentioned or LaSandra is.”
    â€œTerrific.”
    As they ascended the stairs to her office, the warm glow disappeared, she was feeling chilled to the bone, and the hair on the back of her neck was standing up. While she had no clue what the article was about, she thought she knew who could have been behind it. A shiver ran through her.
    â€œSweetheart, are you cold?” MP asked.
    â€œAn American endearment, is that good or bad?” She was trying to make light of the situation.
    â€œAny endearment I call you is good, honey.”
    â€œOkay, handsome.”
    A laugh escaped from deep in his throat as he bent over to ignite the gas fireplace. Then turning, he took her hands, and they sat on the couch in front of the fire.
    â€œI want to tell you everything about my nephew and sister before we read the article. I’m sure the article will portray me as some kind of a monster and—”
    â€œYou’re anything but a monster. I’ve known monsters in my time and some of the scariest have been dressed in pinstriped suits and Armani ties.”
    â€œThank you for your vote of confidence.”
    She shook her head, eyes glistening. “Don’t thank me.”
    He gave her a wink and a weak smile. “I guess we’re both guilty of thanking one another for our natural tendencies.”
    â€œDon’t let anyone know my secret.”
    â€œYou have my word.” He crossed his heart and kissed her lightly.
    â€œOkay, here is the story of my nephew. You already know the ending so—”
    â€œNo, wait before you start; I think I know who could have planted or instigated an inflammatory, ugly article.”
    â€œI already thought of that and figured you’d make the leap, even though I hoped you wouldn’t.”
    â€œI’m sorry. Even when I was an intern, Morris was the king of mean. He ran smear campaigns even when they weren’t needed. It’s as if he’s avenging his family somehow. His grandfather, Donald Morris I, had political aspirations, but he was also promiscuous with not only women but men, and even though it wasn’t common forty years ago to discuss such things, Morris’s grandfather was the topic of much discussion. The Republicans shunned Donald