Page 118 of Executive Decision

“He seems more prince than knight, Daph.” Lanie laid it on. “Can you help us, Todd?”

He fell for her flattery.

“I couldtryto recall anything,” Todd said.

“That would be great,” I said. “I’d so appreciate it.”

Lanie leaned in further, “This was incredibly painful for all of us, Todd. I mean… can you imagine?”

“I… I cannot. It is very sad. That is why I agreed to talk to you, Daphne.”

I smiled. “So, there is a matter of how this got out. Might you know something about it?”

“I… I don’t…”

He looked at Lanie as she recrossed her legs as slowly as possible, her skirt inching higher.

“Uh…” He stammered more. “I… uh...”

“Well, let’s cut the shit,” I said. “Because I’ve never been one for flowery language. I know Chandler did this. I have evidence of it from other sources but none of them tie back to his physical location in a way that give us enough to charge him. But, if you were to say… help me with that or provide additional information, Scotland Yard would investigate.”

Todd snapped to me. “Daphne, with the election?—”

“Wouldn’t it be fab to see him do a perp walk and get out of your way?” Lanie asked, slowly removing the cherry from its skewer.

Todd considered. “So, with him out… it could… help?”

“You could prepare your future PM to denounce him,” I said. “It’s a bit of a hit job, but what isn’t in this game?”

I waited for him to put it together. “I… I’d need to talk to John, of course.”

“Of course.” Lanie oozed sex, “you would want to run it by leadership. You’re a clever man, Todd.”

His lips curled into a slight smile as he stared at her tits.

“You’re… you’re right.”

“You could be the hero, Todd. Daphne’s hero, the party’s, andmine,of course.”

He was sold. I could have been offended by Lanie’s success in getting Todd to do the right thing with nothing but her feminine wiles, but I couldn’t be bothered with the why. If he got me my freedom and good name back, it was worth everything.

Todd cleared his throat, stood, and adjusted his trousers. “Let me call John.”

He walked to the corner, turning back every other minute to look at my sister.

“He’s going to have massive blue balls after this,” Lanie said. “Ialmostfeel bad about it.”

“Nah, he’s going to cream his pants once he realizes he’s going to be Home Secretary and Chandler won’t,” I whispered.

“I’ll give him my number, Daph, then block him.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“Daph, I’d do whatever to stick it to that twat. Promise.”

I smiled; happy she had my back.

After a few minutes, Todd returned.

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