Stuart’s phone starts buzzing in his jacket and he pulls it out, answering on the second ring.
“Stuart Chambers, Office of Mayor Walker.”
Pause.
“He will be making a press announcement shortly, combined with a written statement. Thank you.”
He slides his phone back into his inside pocket.
“You’re in hot demand. That’s the seventeenth call I’ve had in the last thirty minutes. People are demanding a full investigation into Dennis Vincent’s conduct while he was acting mayor. Specifically, his relationship with George Yates, and some of the decisions they both signed off on. It seems the public have even less reason to trust him now that they know he lied about Graham being his son.”
“Busy day for them too, then.” I straighten my tie and clear my throat as one of the TV crew heads in our direction.
“Assholes,” Stuart mutters. “But it’s working in our favor. Interest in the mayor’s office is at an all-time high this morning. And everyone is waiting to see what you announce. You’re already trending online, and we haven’t gone live yet.”
I smirk at the growing grin on Stuart’s face. He loves this. Being in the thick of it. The press releases, the buzz. Perhaps not the exact circumstances surrounding why I’ve chosen first thing this morning to do a live press release in the ballroom of The Songbird hotel. But regardless, he’s in his element, thinking on his feet, and fielding press calls like a championship defender. It’s one of the reasons he’s such a great campaign manager. And as I’ve come to realize even more this last couple of days, a great friend, too.
“Right. Go do this.” He grabs his phone out of his pocket again as another call comes in.
I make my way out from behind the privacy screening to the stage which has been erected especially for this press conference. A multitude of camera clicks ring out from the gathered press members filling the room wall to wall. I catch Griffin’s eye. He’s stood at the front right side of the room, to the edge of the stage. Maria’s with him. But only Maria.
I scan the crowd of faces near them, looking for blonde hair and blue eyes. But she isn’t here, of course she isn’t. It’s purposefully early. Early enough that a lot of the city will catch the news before they leave for work, or as they arrive to start the day.
She won’t even be in the building yet.
“You ready?” The Songbird’s Event Manager asks me.
“As I’ll ever be.” I curl my lips into a practiced smile.
“Just so you know… I voted for you.” He returns a smile of his own. “It’s all set whenever you want to start.”
I thank him and climb onto the stage, over to where the podium is. I lift my eyes, looking into the camera directed at me, and I begin.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining me. I am Reed Walker, your Mayor Elect for this incredible city we call home. Today, I am going to share with you my plans for the following: the candidate selected for the role of deputy mayor. The officials joining me when I take office in just a few short weeks. And the commissioners I will be appointing as heads of agencies for our education, transport, and housing departments. As well as for the New York Fire Department and the New York Police Department. I know you have been waiting for this announcement and I thank you for your patience. This city deserves the very best. It deserves people who love it. Who will give their heart to it. And who will strive for justice, freedom, and peace in their endeavors. And so, I’m sure you can understand that I wanted to be certain I had made the right choices.”
I cast a smile around the room.
“Right. Let’s start.”
Twenty minutes later, which also included question time, I’m off the stage and talking in lowered voices with Stuart when someone clears their throat behind me.
“That was a great speech, Reed.”
I turn and heat flares over the back of my neck. I draw in a deliberate breath, composing myself before I do something I regret with a room full of reporters bearing witness.
“Bea. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Stuart emits a low curse under his breath next to me and glares at her. She acts as if he isn’t even there, her eyes fixed solely on me.
“Well, it was a little quiet at home since Graham is helping the Department of Investigation with their inquiries. We had an early awakening, shall we say?” Her eyes pinch in the corners as she looks at me. They’re bloodshot. Her usually immaculate makeup is also missing, instead replaced by what looks hastily applied and smudged in places.
I look back in silence, my mouth flattened into an emotionless line. She’s not stupid. I’m sure she has suspicions about why the DOI has suddenly started sniffing around. And she would be right.
But it’s the least she should expect after what they’ve been doing.
“I just…” Her eyes sweep over my face and down my chest, softening as they return to meet mine again. “I wanted to tell you that I think you are the best mayor this city could have. You deserved to win. I can’t say that about everyone.” A cloud of tension passes over her face as she purses her lips and readjusts her purse on her shoulder.
“That’s one thing we agree on.” I glare at her. “But why come all the way here to tell me? Again,” I add, raising a brow, my jaw ticking like a watch on speed as I fight to control the fire coursing through my veins. “Couldn’t you have sent a text?” I hiss through gritted teeth.