Page 100 of Executive Decision

“Let me at least plead my case?—”

“Chandler, there is nothing to say.”

“You are exploiting a man having a child,” he choked up. “I know this hurts you in more ways than one. I knew it would when you found out. I tried to bury it, but my lawyer wanted to hold it over you. I didn’t want to be cruel. If so, why would you be?—”

“I don’t believe a word you say, Chandler.”

“I come in good faith. I’m standing at the doors of the office. I am prepared to sign?—”

I bought none of that, betting he was legs up on his desk at Whitehall. “Good. Do it. We don’t need to chat.”

“Daphne, I don’t believe you. Our child will be under scrutiny. My girlfriend?—”

“Chandler, how much does this have to do with this poor woman versus your electoral possibilities. You need to rise in leadership. This is about that.”

He stammered, “I know you hate me. I am sure you have all the rights in the world to. But, darling, if you ever loved me, you won’t?—”

“Chandler, let us end this and I promise it will go away.”

“I sense you will leak it anyhow.”

“I won’t. Have you ever trusted me?” I asked, hurt. “Because I think I deserve better than that. I havealwaystaken the high road here.”

Chandler paused. “Fine. Let us end this. But if this leaks before the election, so help me?—”

“Chandler, you have my word that it is not my intent to do anything as long as you set me free. And, in the process, set yourself free. You can live foryearson what I’ve offered,” I said, near tears. “Just please, let me go. Let yourself go.”

“I have worked my entire life for this. Theparty?—”

“The party may have buried this for now, Chandler, but it cannot keep it hidden forever. I am not going to say anything. Itwillcome out, but hopefully it can stay under wraps until after the election. I’m not… I don’t want to hurt you. I’m not a monster. However, I do want my life back.”

He sounded contrite. “You’re right. It’s over. I’m… I will let it go.”

“Thank you, Chandler,” I hung up.

Concern covered Derrick’s face.

“Stop it. You look like Dad when he was judging me!” I laughed.

“You just let that asshole win? After everything?”

“Derrick, when you get older and have a wife, you will understand that sometimes you make choices for you both that feel a little… sad. And you do it because it is right, not because it is a way to win.”

“I like winning. I thought you did, too.”

“I do,” I said.

He wiped his brow with a shop rag. His face, by now, was covered in grease. I laughed.

“What?” Derrick asked.

“Nothing. It just reminds me of Dad. Here. This place.” I looked around. “It evensmellslike him.”

“It’s why I came out here,” Derrick said. “I honestly miss him every time I get behind the controls. He taught me all of this.”

“I know. I don’t understand planes—I don’t care,” I admitted, fighting tears. “But I loved how muchheloved it.”

Derrick read it without even looking at me, “Don’t start crying, Daph!”

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