meanwhile, had to stick with the media and their views on controversy—something that didn’t necessarily indicate voter interest.
“Why should I surrender, as you put it?”
“To avoid humiliating yourself,” he said, clearly enjoying the conversation.
“I see,” I said, nodding as if it was the most logical thing in the world. “So you would like us to resign and let your boss run unopposed with six weeks to go in the election?”
“Exactly,” he said with a sense of satisfaction.
His comments were designed to enrage me, but I knew that keeping my temper in check was crucial. Halbert had no gift to read thoughts or emotions. He was one-dimensional. If people looked like losers, then they were. Some in the press might already have made up their minds that our campaign was about to collapse under the weight of Richard’s comments, but I knew better. Tomorrow we would put the campaign back on its rightful course, but I didn’t want Halbert to know it. That secret was all mine, and for once I had something he couldn’t steal. Now it was my turn to prolong the reply, and I sat back savoring the silence that stretched before us.
“I’ll think about it,” I said. “You had better ask Lacy to pray that I make the right decision.”
Having failed to get the response he was expecting from me, Halbert’s face twisted into a grimace. I was tempted to taunt him further, but realized it was time to end our discussion. His overt waves of hostility were starting to alarm the other café patrons.
“I think it’s time for you to leave, Stoner. You’ve delivered your message,” I said. “Now you can go back and report that you’ve done your job.”
“Yes, but what is your response?” he asked tersely. “Will you quit the race?”
“I said we would think about it. You don’t believe I would actually make that decision for Levi without discussing it with him,” I said, feigning surprise. “I am a campaign manager, not a puppeteer.”
He rose from his seat, his eyes full of malicious intent. He seemed poised to say something, maybe a threat. I decided to cut him off.
“Halbert, you mad, old stray dog,” I said. “Look at you chained up at the post, waiting to attack. When you sold your soul to the devil, did you expect to become his pet? I’m through being your meal ticket, so you’ll have to look elsewhere. Now, I think you had better leave before my boyfriend comes over and disembowels you right here at the table.” That caused Halbert to look up and search his surroundings.
William had come into the café minutes earlier. I could feel his presence as he pressed gently to signal his arrival. As Halbert made for the doors to leave, I turned around and scanned the room until I spotted William sitting in the far corner, reading a book. I knew he would not approach me until we were outside. We had agreed on a plan to help protect the campaign. I would drive to Palo Alto alone. He would follow later by train, so there would be no second vehicle for the media to notice.
After Halbert exited, I rose slowly from my seat, giving my lower back a chance to catch up with the rest of my body. I grabbed my bag and left the café. William was already outside waiting for me.
“Miss Shepherd, my name is William. I’ll be driving you back to the hotel,” he said, his words intended for anybody who might be watching.
I nodded and stayed mute, as I was certain Halbert was nearby watching. I handed William the car keys, and he slowly walked behind the car toward the driver’s side, keeping vigilant along the way. One part lover, one part bodyguard, I thought to myself, although he picked right up on the sentiment.
“With me, they are one and the same, darlin, one and the same,” he said. “How did the interviews go? Good news?”
I was almost too excited to speak. “Really well, and the phone surveys, too,” I said. “As far as our research is concerned, voters don’t hold Levi responsible for his friend’s remarks. If Richard issues an apology and disappears for the rest of the campaign, we should be able to right this ship.”
“Is that what you told Halbert?” William teased. “He looks awful, by the way.”
“Wow, vampires have excellent hearing,” I said. “What else did you hear?”
“Apart from threatening to have your boyfriend kill him, I think my favorite line was