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We were standing in a sitting room decorated in stark blacks and whites, with stylized white art deco couches flanked by glossy black end tables and carefully arranged spotlight la tiny pieces of art that probably cost et for the year The only spots of color came from the faces of the senator and his wife, both red-cheeked fro a tailored dark blue suit that screamed “money” in a politely subdued way All three turned toward us, and the senator rose, tugging his suit jacket down before offering his hand to Shaun Shaun shook it I looked past the to cover his own expression of disgust

“Thank you for co Shaun’s hand and reclailasses She mustered a tiny sed her closer, seeth to offer, but what he did have was hers without question That’s the kind of guy we need running this country

“We had a choice?” asked Shaun, dropping onto one of the couches and sprawling with intentional untidiness He’d clearly caught Tate’s look, too; that, combined with the confiscation of our equipment, had him primed and ready to offend Good It’s always easier to see a handy contrast

“We were glad to come, Senator, but I’m afraid I don’t understand why our equipment had to be confiscated Some of those ca them with anyone who’s not a member of our staff If we’d been informed of the need for privacy before we left the hotel, we could have left theht cameras that were easier to hide”

“Actually, Governor, I meant what I said” I turned to look hi One of the few handy side effects of retinal KA is the lack of a need for repeated ocular lubrication—or, in lay stared at by so, at least according to Shaun “I’n, andwith members of the reputable news media We can make allowances for that I would, however, appreciate it if you could also keep inwith Senator Ryman and his staff for some time now, and not once have we broadcast or distributed material ere asked to withhold Now, I’ll admit that part of that can be attributed to the fact that we’ve never been asked to withhold inforood reason I still believe it establishes that we’re capable of behaving ourselves with tact, propriety, and, above all, the patriotis as n”

“Well,my eyes without a flinch, “those are a lot of pretty words, but I hope you’ll forgivehere, and I prefer to proceed with caution”

“Well, sir,” I replied, “you’ll forgive me if I believe that our track record should count for so other than appropriate in our dealings with sensitive inforht be so bold, there’s a chance that the media has ‘burned’ you sohonest people like they’re waiting for the opportunity to be cri for American values, you’re sure devoted to the suppression of overnor’s eyes narrowed “Now see here, young lady—”

“My na lady’ nor ‘missy,’ and I think I see all too well” I turned to the others “Shaun, get up Rick, Buffy, co?” demanded Tate

“Back to our hotel, where we’ll cheerfully explain to our many readers that we have no news for the an act of criminal bioterrorism on United States soil—ere unable to attend a conference with our candidate since, oopsie, the new man on the ticket thinks the media can’t be trusted” I sia, sit down,” said Senator Ryman He sounded exhausted That was no surprise “You, too, Shaun Buffy, Rick, you can sit or not, as you prefer And you, David, will please try to reh to really look at the ranch rather than writing it off as a simple outbreak You’ll be courteous, and we’ll trust the as they have been: perfectly reasonable and willing to ith us”

“There’s still thestill

“That was a bad decision, and I’ to stand by it for now, and ask that you allow ”

I raised an eyebrow “And what do we get?”

Governor Tate sputtered, growing red in the face Senator Ry at me squarely, and said, “An exclusive intervieithwhat you found yesterday”

“No deal,” said Shaun The senator and I looked toward hi up, suddenly alert “No offense, sir, but you’re not that impressive anymore Our readers know you They respect you, and if you keep on the way you have been, they’ll elect you, but they won’t be razzled and dazzled by the fact that we h his hair, looking pained “What do you want, Shaun?”

“Her” He nodded to Emily “We want an intervieith her”

“Absolutely n—”

“Yes,” said Emily Her voice eary but clear “I’s for the sake of for the sake of my family” Her voice broke “That’s not a concern anymore”