Page 123 of The First Gentleman

“I’m worried about a hung jury,” says Pope. “I think you’re getting to most of them, but all she needs is one strong holdout.”

Bastinelli sets his jaw. “Then we’ll retry him.”

Pope shakes her head. She points toward the window. “Those protesters at the courthouse are expanding their reach. They’re showing up outside the governor’s mansion. Also on the front lawns of the state senate’s president, the state’s speaker of the house, and a couple of executive councilors. Nobody will be in any mood to start this circus again.”

“God, I would love to get Cole on the stand,” says Bastinelli.

“In your dreams,” says Pope. “Tess will never allow it. She’s afraid he’ll give a nominating speech.”

“Right. Or call a football play.”

Pope’s intercom chimes. She answers. “Ruthie? What are you still doing here? It’s ten o’clock.”

A young woman’s voice comes through the speaker. “Just answering some emails, ma’am. You’ve got a visitor. Insists on seeing you right away. Security’s holding him downstairs.”

“Who’s on duty?”

“Kevin, ma’am.”

“Put me through.”

Ruthie switches Pope to the security guard downstairs. Pope keeps the call on speaker.

“Kevin? Who’s the guest?”

“His name’s Donovan. Used to work for the Patriots. He has an envelope with him. Says he might have a bombshell.”

“Does he seem sane?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Pope lifts her eyebrows at Bastinelli. “Okay, Kevin. Make sure it’s not an actual bomb, then escort him up.”

Pope hangs up and looks at Bastinelli. “Feeling lucky?”

CHAPTER

112

About two minutes later, there’s a knock on the attorney general’s office door.

“Enter!” Pope calls out. She stands up. Bastinelli does too.

The heavy oak door swings open. A uniformed security guard is standing next to a man in his sixties dressed in baggy jeans and a flannel shirt.

Pope glances at the security guard. “Thanks, Kevin. Just wait in the outer office with Ruthie if you don’t mind.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Pope extends her hand to the visitor. “Mr. Donovan? I’m Attorney General Pope, and this is Hugh Bastinelli, the deputy attorney general.”

Bastinelli shakes Donovan’s hand. It’s warm and damp. The visitor looks a bit intimidated.

“Come in,” says Pope. “Please sit.” She pulls an extra chair from behind a small conference table and moves it over beside the desk.

Donovan takes the seat. “Thank you.” He’s clutching a largemanila envelope in his hands. “I’m Craig Donovan. Nice to meet you both.”

Bastinelli pulls his chair closer to the guest. “You said you were a longtime employee of the Pats?”

---