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he
mused, gesturing a practice swing of his own.
    After quick instructions from Elliot’s body
guard, Michael made his way down the hall to the private conference room. He
knocked softly then opened the wide polished door. “Michael. How nice of you to
join me. Here, have a seat. Fix yourself a drink. You look awful.”
    Michael bypassed the open cabinet of liquor and
took a seat across the broad table from Elliot Thomas. “Gee, thanks, Elliot.
Nice to see you too.”
    The congressman continued writing on his
leather-bound pad. “Hard to run a corporate business from the greens, isn’t it?
You getting tired of your career or just loafing off like the has-been jock you
are?” The watery eyes of his father-in-law glanced up at him only briefly
during his flippant attack.
    “Come now, Elliot,” Michael countered. “You know
that even hard working CEOs are entitled to an occasional day off now and then.
Why? Has your spy network been feeding you lies about me again? What’s their
method? Do they hide in the bathroom stalls and pick up tidbits of juicy gossip
to pass along? Or have you got your hooks into the private day timer on my
computer? Gee, I thought I’d covered all my bases. I must be slipping. Tsk tsk.”
    Elliot continued writing as if he hadn’t heard a
word. Then, quietly and methodically, he closed the valise, straightened his
silk tie and folded his hands on the table.
    “Michael, I see no reason why you and I can’t
have a civilized conversation. It appears to me as though we have a bit of a
problem. Something that needs immediate attention.”
    “Oh yeah? It seems to me we have a number of
problems. Which one did you want to address today?”
    The congressman rolled his neck. “You’re
absolutely right. We do have a number of problems. Very serious problems. But
today I want to discuss Amelia.”
    “Ah,” Michael whispered as though hearing a
well-kept secret. “Yes, Amelia. Why am I not surprised that dear ol’ Dad wants
to ‘discuss’ his perfect little girl with the evil son-in-law?”
    “All right, cut the sarcasm. I’ve had just about
enough.”
    “Good. That makes two of us. What do you propose
we do about it?” Michael began swiveling his chair from side to side hoping to
portray an air of indifference.
    “I understand you have begun divorce
proceedings.”
    Michael stopped cold. “You don’t waste any time,
do you? What, have you got my attorney’s office bugged as well?”
    Totally undaunted, Elliot responded. “Don’t
change the subject. I want some answers and I want them now.”
    Michael took a deep breath and slowly began
rocking his chair again. He hated himself for allowing Elliot to get under his
skin like this. He glared back at the congressman. “Yes, Elliot, I have begun
divorce proceedings. Something I should have done years ago. But I’m still
curious how you found out about it. I just spoke to Thad yesterday and I know
he would never break our attorney/client confidentiality. I haven’t even spoken
to Amelia about it. So just exactly how did you find out?”
    “It is entirely irrelevant to discuss how
certain information makes its way to my attention. You should know by now that
no one in public life can do much of anything without someone finding out. I’ve
had you tailed from the day you and Amelia began dating.”
    Michael gasped before he could stop himself.
    Elliot continued. “A man in my position cannot
take chances. I had to make absolutely sure that you were of sufficient
reputation before I could allow Amelia to become involved with you. Oh yes, I
know you weren’t exactly spotless. You had a number of affairs with a number of
different women. That was no great surprise for a man like you—rugged good
looks, athletic, a sports celebrity and all. We all know such indiscretions are
a part of that lifestyle. But after a period of time finding you to be faithful
to Amelia once you began seeing her, I was satisfied you would make a good
husband for