Booktree.ng_Forgotten-Witness

shoulders, baring his back. He deserved each stinging lash the
senator wanted to lay upon him. “I was surprised and I reacted.
I wanted to cover my bases so that none of this came back to
you.”
“Have you thought that this is not a part of my history that I
wish to revisit? Have you?”
Ambrose shoved his hands deep in his pockets and rocked
on the back of his heels. Lydia was probably fast asleep. The
evening was ruined and he resented it, but he also knew that he
was no better than Eugene. He was overreacting and needed to
calm himself.
“Eugene, you have been very thorough and I appreciate that.
I also appreciate the spirit in which all this has been
undertaken, but this is only a problem if we make it one. What
was done is done. Shred that information, go home, sleep, and
come to work tomorrow with your mind refreshed. Look
forward not backward, Eugene.”
“You’re correct, of course,” Eugene muttered.
Ambrose sighed. He sat down next to Eugene. The boy was
like a son constantly striving for favor and knowing he would
always prove inadequate, or a dog eager to please but having
no idea that the master had grown tired of the same old tricks.
The older man put his hand on Eugene’s narrow shoulder.
“What is this, Eugene? Really? Are you concerned that I
won’t need you after the election?”
“The thought never crossed my mind, senator.” That Eugene
was shocked was evident; that Ambrose didn’t care was also
evident.
“You are only helpful to me if you are level headed,”
Ambrose warned.
“Helpful?” Eugene repeated, hardly believing his ears.
“Now more than ever I need to you to be that, Eugene. And,
if you become angry with me and think you can use this
against me for your own purposes–”