in sync? That’s what everyone wants to know. You called the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change a ‘dog-and-pony show’ two days after GreenSpirit used those exact words.”
“I’d like your viewers to think about something, Andrea. If I’d been in touch with Linda Pareles, as the president suggests—”
“Linda Pareles? You won’t even use her chosen name: GreenSpirit?”
“I knew her as Linda Pareles. As I was saying, if I’d actually been in touch with Pareles, why would I quote her and open myself up to the ridiculous accusation that I’ve got a witch as a consultant?”
“Nancy Reagan had an astrologist.”
“I’ve never consulted with a witch or an astrologer, and I never will. More than three decades of public service informs my decisions, and my campaign has attracted first-rate foreign and domestic policy advisers because they know that in a few days voters will be making the most critical choice in our nation’s history. The American people are not going to let themselves get sidetracked by this sideshow.”
“Voters are sure paying attention to the YouTube video of you and GreenSpirit saying the same exact words. That’s got a lot of traction.”
“And if you were to do a simple Internet search, you’d find that dozens of bloggers also called the task force a dog-and-pony show. Look, in plain English, I consider GreenSpirit to be a wacko. I’ve had no contact with her in thirty-eight years.” Now Lilton leaned forward. “Andrea, the real issue—”
“Is how you’re going to get rid of your witch problem long enough to win this election? Your numbers are tanking.”
“My numbers are strong. We’re gaining momentum in all the swing states. As for Linda Pareles, I’m addressing that issue head-on. I think the American people are too smart to fall for any more of the president’s cheap, diversionary tactics. Reynolds has failed to recognize, much less address, the very real danger that climate change presents to the vital national security of our great country. We need to have leadership that can assert itself on the world stage. There are real issues facing the American people…”
As Lilton launched into political boilerplate, Jenna guided Dafoe away from the set. Marv was no doubt barking at Hanson to end the interview as fast as she could: The “witch haunting” had been the “gotcha” question, and now it was history.
Jenna and Dafoe hurried to her office. She closed the door, turned to him, and put her arms around his neck.
“We have about sixty seconds,” she told him. “Smudge me. Please.”
* * *
Rain splatters the packed earth, pouring down so hard that the fat drops ping when they strike the brittle branches, muffling the panicky footfalls of a murderous chase. They strike her face. She tries to blink them away, but can’t.
Ping, ping, ping.
The rain blurs her vision. Tree limbs tear her skin, rip her clothes. Shredded strips hang from prickly snags. Dense dead woods. She can’t see ten feet. Doesn’t dare look back. Not anymore. Run, she screams at herself. Don’t fucking stop.
* * *
He checks his watch. Half an hour’s gone by. She’s getting tired, can’t keep it up much longer. He can hear her horror, even from here. It’s clawing at her throat. She wants to find a nice little hidey-hole, but he’s not going to let that happen. And the crying sounds so good, like the kind of fear you can’t stop.
A storm like this can wipe away her trail. Probably what she was hoping for when she started running. But she can’t outrun him, and the rain’s washing away his tracks, too. They’ll be floating all the way down to the Hudson and halfway around the world, like ghost prints. You can’t see them, but they’ll be there. He’s already fleeing the scene of the crime and the real fun’s not even begun. The perfect murder.
What’s she going to do? Get on a broomstick and fly away? This is easy. Every step’s taking her right where he wants her.
Yippie-yi-yo-ki-yay. Herding time. Heading to a nice cozy cabin. She’ll slam the door and lock it (he’s been there, so he knows, he knows), and he’ll laugh, ’cause there’s no keeping him out. A door doesn’t say, “Stay out.” It says, “Come on in and take your fun. It’s waiting right here for you, all roasty warm.” Still, when she slams it, he’ll take a breath. Long as there aren’t any other witches around, he’ll have all the time he needs for all the vengeance he wants. She doesn’t have a phone.