same avenue on…oh, heart disease.” He gestured to show that this was only an example. “This is not a matter of whether or not people are cured. It is a matter of who gets the rights to cure them.”
He leaned forward. “And that is not a game I want to play,” he said simply.
Metcalfe stared at him, a little nonplussed.
“If there’s truly no difference,” he continued, “then why should I care if the other guy wins? Why shouldn’t I simply let all of you duke it out and spend my time on other matters?”
“Because none of the rest of them have called to help you and your son.” The lobbyist was not offended. In fact, he was all too calm. “Senator, I assure you, I understand. You don’t want to be bought. This isn’t being bought—it’s finding complementary interests.”
Tad said nothing. He tried to think of what Mary would say and could not.
“There is a reason quid pro quo has always existed,” Metcalfe said easily. “Before it got a dirty name in the media, it was merely two people helping each other out. That’s what we do, isn’t it? It’s why you got into politics—to help people out. Mr. White appreciates that, as do I. We even appreciate your candor about your worries.” His smile did not falter at the disbelieving look he earned. “But quid pro quo is older than Washington, Senator—it’s even older than the empire that named it. It isn’t going anywhere, and if you refuse to take part, the only one you harm is yourself.” He did not add “and your son” but the words were almost audible.
Tad looked out the window. When he had campaigned for this job, it had been so clear to him how the chain of corruption began—a small ask, a favor, a gift in return. Nothing you could object to. Nothing that even seemed wrong.
But it opened the door and every time, it got easier to say yes.
His path forward was clear. Justin’s prognosis was uncertain, even in the ICU, and whether he stayed there or they transferred him to PIVOT’s labs, he and Mary had decided that they would do this without Dru Metcalfe and his bribes.
“I’m not interested,” he said simply.
Metcalfe nodded slightly. He opened his briefcase and withdrew two full-page, glossy photos and a written statement. When he pushed them across the desk, Tad’s jaw dropped. The photos were of him standing with a woman in a sundress and heels, far too close for them simply to be having a friendly conversation. Behind them was the entrance to a hotel. The statement was from the woman and contained details of an affair and his offer of a payoff if she would remain silent.
The only slight problem with the allegation was that he had never had an affair. He was a good-looking man and he’d had offers, but Mary was the love of his life. She still made his heart race the way she had when they were sixteen.
That said, the absolute, blatant threat of the photos made him flush hot and cold. He pushed them across the desk so hard that they fluttered to the floor.
“This never happened,” he said tightly.
The man smiled at him, almost pitying. “And we both know that doesn’t matter,” he said simply.
“What?”
“Senator Williams…” Metcalfe picked the papers up and put them in his briefcase. “Let us be honest with one another. What do voters like more than anything?”
“To see their interests represented,” Tad snapped.
“Scandal,” the man corrected him simply. He shook his head. “What do you think will happen if we put those photos out?”
“I’ll make a statement to the press explaining what’s going on,” he told him. Mary wouldn’t believe it. Surely she wouldn’t believe it—
“You might even prove it,” his visitor agreed.
Tad hesitated.
“But by the time you do that,” the lobbyist told him, “your career will already be over. Have you ever seen a town hall meeting with voters who hate their representative? Yelling, throwing things? Can you imagine it, Senator? Can you imagine the speeches your opponents will give? It’s too perfect, isn’t it? The senator who couldn’t be bought paying off his mistress.”
He saw red. “Why even pretend to play nice?” He almost growled the words. “Why the phone calls and why the fake concern for Justin?” The fact that Metcalfe had opened the door by pretending to care made him want to punch the man in the face.
“I am concerned for Justin,” the lobbyist said. “As is Mr.