Midnight by Anna Dove (books for new readers .TXT) 📕

“I wouldn’t pretend to be able to know what it’s like,” responded Carlos as she drank again.

“I feel” she said, the bottle in her hand, “I feel...like there is only so much that I can do.”

She was exquisite. Her hair was pulled into a soft bun at the nape of her neck. Her eyes possessed a new, dark quality that Carlos had never before seen.

“And you,” she said, placing a hand on his arm, “you can do so much. You are so bright and talented, obviously so. My husband has praised you to me. He’s noticed you.”

“That’s an honor,” said Carlos, feeling the slight weight of her hand on his arm as if it were much heavier.

“Yes...an honor,” she said, and withdrew her hand. She took another sip, and then wincing at the aftertaste, she screwed the lid back onto the top.

“I’d like it if you didn’t tell anyone I came in here,” she said suddenly, turning her full face to him. “I just needed to stop for a moment. Keep it between us, yes?” And her hand again placed itself on his arm.

Carlos briefly was at an utter loss for words as his face turned to hers, and as he found himself staring into the deepest, most complex pair of brilliant blue eyes he had ever seen. He took a deep breath, and then bowed his head in agreement.

“I won’t say anything. I respect you.”

At his reply she smiled slightly, and a hint of the light in her eyes came back. Then, she rose from her chair and moved towards the door. Opening it, she looked over her shoulder.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and then she was gone.

+

It was the night before the gala, and Carlos was tired of liquor and Hallmark cards. He had been receiving an exorbitant amount of both lately. When anyone in the Eisenhower building does something that deserves praise, they receive copious amounts of cards and liquor. Carlos liked liquor, but not when the bottles interfered with his ability to physically organize his graphs and reports. This morning, he sat silently at his desk, his eyes fixed diligently on his computer screen. His hand rested on the coffee mug to the right of his desk.

The telephone on his desk rang, a low and pleasant tone. The little green button on line one lit up. His eyes glanced to it, and then to the time at the bottom of his computer screen, and then back to the telephone. He answered.

“Hello.”

A pause. Carlos’ eyes strayed from his computer to the window, peering out at his view of the White House Truman Balcony. Their gaze rested on the white rail, and trailed around as far as they could see, to the curtained windows.

“Yes, I am ready.”

His fingers tapped on the ceramic blue mug.

“You know I don’t thrive in that environment like you do, but I do appreciate the thought.”

He smiled, and chuckled, apparently amused at the response.

“Sure.”

After that, he took the receiver from his ear and pressed it down to hang up.

His eyes remained absently focused on the balcony, eyebrows furrowed, and his lips pressed together pensively. He was deep in thought when his telephone rang again, this time blinking red.

“Who is it?”

A pause.

“Send them in.”

The door to the office opened and Elizabeth Tremont entered, smiling. She was dressed neatly in a black pant suit, her white collar pressed professionally and sparkling studs in her earlobes. She took notice of the quantities of bourbon and raised her eyebrows.

“Preparing for a long week, I see?”

Carlos smiled.

“Come in! Sit down.”

Elizabeth acquiesced, seating herself graciously in the plush chair across the desk from Carlos.

“How was your weekend?” She asked, leaning forward.

Although he was reserved, there was a sort of subtle charm in his manner, completely unintentional on his part, that Elizabeth very much appreciated.

“Fine,” responded Carlos, glancing at his desk phone. “Didn’t do much.”

“Are you excited to go to the gala tonight?”

“Are you going?”

“Yes, Haley is attending in place of Senator McCraiben and I am going with her.”

“Wonderful,” said Carlos politely. “I am sure it will be a beautiful evening. I’ve invited my friend James Landon, the Under Secretary of the Navy, as my guest. I know that he is also a close friend to Senator McCraiben.”

“The Under? How do you know him?”

“Met him on a project. His parents knew mine; they were my parents’ immigration lawyers. He’s a spectacular person.”

“Spectacular?”

“He really is. You have to be, if you’re going to be the Under.”

“True.”

Carlos leaned back in his seat.

“So, Miss Elizabeth, what brings you here today?”

“I was hoping for your review on something,” said Elizabeth, and she pulled from her purse a manila folder. She placed it on his desk.

“It’s not urgent, it’s only a proposal I’m researching. I wanted your input. Just get it to me in a week or so, if that’s alright.”

“Happy to oblige,” responded Carlos, and smiled.

“Well, thanks,” grinned Elizabeth. “Now I’ve got to get back to McPherson. I’ll see you tonight?”

“Absolutely,” her friend replied, and nodded to her as she stood, shouldering her purse, and exited the room with a brief wave.

5.    The Back Room

“You have a grand gift for silence, Watson. It makes you quite invaluable as a companion.”

― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Vol 1

         Haley, her mind racing and her body tight with adrenaline, started her car as Elizabeth sat down in the passenger seat, both still dressed in their lavish gala attire. Speeding more quickly than advisable back towards the city, they sat in silence, Elizabeth watching the buildings pass by the car window and Haley’s eyes intent on the road in front of her. There was a twisted pit in