Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

now in possession of the money clip that fell out of
Ambassador Hargerfeld’s pocket?”
“You are sharp eyed, Lydia,” Ambrose chuckled. “Start with
Mona.”
“That twit? How she got elected I’ll never know,” Lydia
scoffed. “All right. Her gown was off the rack, her hair reeked
of cheap hairspray, and her jewels were paste.”
“Lydia,” Ambrose chided.
“Girl stuff, honey, otherwise Washington would be boring
with all you men strutting around like peacocks. I’m telling
you, you all look the same to me after awhile.”
“I hope there’s an exception,” Ambrose didn’t open his
eyes. He liked to feel her voice melting as thick as liquid gold
into his brain.
“Only you, darlin’. You are the right peacock.” She
chuckled. “Well, Mona says she’s getting plenty of grief from
the good folks at home about all sorts of things. They’re not
happy with the immigration stall; they’re furious about this
new insurance crap; they’re still harping on the lack of jobs.
She’s got five cities in her district going bankrupt and
everybody’s wondering why they can’t get bailed out.”
“Because the world has gone to hell in a hand basket is
why,” Ambrose answered as he opened his eyes. “There is no
money. Besides, her districts are of no importance.”
“She knows that, but she’s looking for something, anything.
She hasn’t got one thing to crow about during her campaign,”
Lydia pointed out.
“And?”
“And she’s thinking if you could just throw her a little bone
she would be ever so grateful.”
Up came Lydia’s hand. She took a drink but she was lying at
an odd angle and the brandy spilled into the indentation at the
base of her throat. She swiped at it with one finger. When that
didn’t do the job she used the silk chiffon of her gown as if it