I’m not like that. I genuinely do believe I can make a difference and I think my father is pragmatic, not corrupt.
But there's one thing I can't explain away.
As I shower, I think about Congressman Hartley.
It was two years ago. My father needed Hartley's vote on a transportation bill. I don't remember the details of what it entailed. What I remember is the meeting.
Hartley came to the estate. He sat in my father's study and drank the good whiskey and listened politely while my father explained why the bill was in everyone's best interest.
And then he said no.
He didn’t say it aggressively or with any particular animosity. Just a calm, firm no. "I appreciate the consideration, Senator, but I've made commitments to my constituents. I can't support this bill."
My father took it well. He shook Hartley's hand, thanked him for his time, showed him to the door, but I could see the tension in his jaw. Dad doesn't like hearing no.
Two days later, Hartley changed his mind.
I remember being surprised. I'd been there for the conversation; Hartley had seemed immovable. But apparently he'd "reconsidered his position" and would be voting yes after all.
"How'd you manage that?" I asked my father over dinner.
He just shrugged. "I dealt with it."
At the time, I took it as evidence of his skill. My father, the dealmaker. The man who could change minds and move mountains. I was proud of him.
But now I'm thinking about the timeline.
Hartley said no on a Tuesday. In Jamie Dean’s documents, a payment went from one of our family's holding companies toa real estate LLC owned by Hartley's wife. Supposedly it was a property deal: some commercial building downtown that the company had been eyeing for months. On the surface, it is completely above board.
The payment was made on a Wednesday. On Thursday, Hartley changed his vote.
I can’t stop thinking of my father's face when I asked how he'd changed Hartley's mind.
I dealt with it.
He uses that phrase a lot. "I dealt with it." "It's handled." "Don't worry about the details."
I step out of the shower, toweling off and think about all the times my father has "dealt with" things.
Warren handles the details. That's what Dad always says. Warren takes care of the things that need taking care of.
I know that what we are doing to Jamie Dean is a little underhand. We’re going after the messenger, not the message.
That’s because he came for us first. He decided to targetus.
He shouldn’t expect us not to fight back. He’s the one who has made all these tenuous connections for his own benefit. He fuckingstartedit.
But still. Congressman Hartley.
Maybe I need to talk to Dean again.Actually talk this time. Assuming he even answers me. After what happened last time, he might not.
I unblock his number and send a message.
Tomorrow night. 9pm.
It’s only seconds before I get a reply.
Yes.
