“I told you I was taking time off,” I remind him.
“Yeah, but you haven’t even been responding to texts.”
I shrug. “Because I wasoff, man. Completely off. But I’m back now. What’s up?”
He leans in to speak by my ear.
“Don’t show any reaction to what I’m about to say. The photographers are watching, and I know they want to get a shot of you reacting, so don’t do it.”
I nod and he continues.
“Jessica Culbertson’s rep called me. They’re holding a news conference in an hour to announce that she was paid off by a radical left-wing supporter to make up the story about you. She feels guilt now and wants to give the money back.”
“Guilt?” I murmur skeptically.
“This is basically her begging us not to sue her.”
I nod again and turn to speak into Tyson’s ear. “At least it’s before the election. This should give us a boost.”
“Yeah, I expect it will. I’ve already drafted a response for you.”
He passes me a paper, and I read it. It’s diplomatic, thanking Miss Culbertson for doing the right thing and urging my opponent to focus on the issues that matter to voters.
My face is impassive as I pass it back to Tyson. “Looks good. Thanks, man.”
“Let’s not leak this.” He gives me a serious look. “Don’t even hint at it in your remarks.”
“I’ll stick to this script, don’t worry.”
“And Jude—be careful. No shit-eating grins about anything whatsoever. The photographers can turn that around on us.”
“Got it.”
He puts a hand on my shoulder. “You ready to go in?”
I take my phone out of my pocket and turn it on. “Hang on. I need to let my wife know.”
“Don’t. It may not be secure.”
I shake my head. “I don’t care. If the news conference is in an hour, no one can do anything with this anyway. I have to let Reagan know.”
As my phone comes to life, messages from Tyson start popping up on my screen.
“Christ, man. Forty-one texts?” I scowl at him.
“You weren’t responding.”
“I don’t get how sending more texts would make anyone respond.”
I type out a message to Reagan:Good news, babe. The truth about the allegations against me will be coming out in an hour.
Her plane is in the air right now, but I want her to see this message as soon as she turns her phone back on.
I’m beyond relieved. Whether or not I become the next governor of my state, the truth is being told. My integrity means more to me than any elected office.
I’m on point for the rally and all my other stops of the day. Between my night with Reagan and the bombshell news conference that the allegations against me are false, I’m back at the top of my game.
After dinner with some big donors, I take off my tie and dress shirt and lie back on my hotel bed to call Reagan.
