Page 47 of The Senator's Wife

His phone buzzed and he looked down. A text from Madelyn. “Would you excuse me? Something’s come up. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Of course,” she replied.

“If Sloane asks where I am, tell her I had to take care of something back at my office before my meeting with the vice president.”

“That sounds exciting. What’s he like? I saw him at the party here, but of course I didn’t get a chance to meet him.”

Whit shrugged. “A little full of himself, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re a heartbeat away from the presidency.”

Athena tilted her head. “Maybe that’ll be you one day. But president, not vice president.”

Whit chuckled. “Well, well. Maybe I should hire you as my campaign manager.”

“Now, that’s a job I could learn to love, Senator,” she said, teasing.

“Say, if you’re not too tired, why don’t you wait up? We’ll have another drink when I get back. It would be nice to have something to look forward to.”

She nodded. “It’s a plan. I’m not tired at all.”

“And by the way, don’t you think it’s time you called me Whit?”

- 36 -

ROSEMARY

The sound of approaching voices spooked the skulking figure, and they ran from the room. Rosemary’s heart was beating so hard she felt like it was going to burst. She recognized Camille’s voice and looked over to see her standing in the doorway.

“I have permission to be here after visiting hours. Someone tried to kill her, I’m not leaving her alone. It should be in her chart!” she heard Camille say to someone.

A nurse Rosemary had never seen before, her face red, shook her head. “No one told me,” she said with an exasperated sigh.

“Call Sophie, the supervising nurse. She’ll tell you,” Camille insisted. “When I’m not here, we’ve hired a private nurse. She’s not to be left alone.”

The nurse shook her head again. “I’m not going to call this late. Whatever. Just be quiet. Patients are trying to get some rest.” She left the room, muttering under her breath.

Rosemary attempted to speak but found it impossible to form the words. She tried to calm her breathing. She had to let Camille know that someone had been in her room. She wasn’t safe here.

“Mom, sorry for the ruckus. But I called Mac and got his girlfriend.” She grimaced. “She gave me some very bad news. Mac was found dead a few days ago.”

Rosemary’s eyes widened. “How?” she managed to croak out.

Camille swallowed. “An overdose. Alcohol and drugs.”

Rosemary shook her head. “No.”

Camille took her hand in her own. “I know how upsetting this must be, but—”

“No,” Rosemary said more adamantly. Sighing, she pointed at the pad next to the bed. It was too hard to talk.

Camille read the words she’d written.AA, past 10 years.

Camille frowned. “That’s what his girlfriend said. Do you think he fell off the wagon?”

Rosemary swallowed, then pointed at the cup of water. She drank a few sips as Camille held the cup.

“His report. Faye. I think I told Faye about it when I called her.” This was torture!

Camille shook her head. “Faye said that you told her about some kind of conspiracy but insists that she couldn’t find any evidence of that. Just rest. You need to rest. Your mind needs to heal. You’ve been through a lot.”

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