“He needn’t apologize for anything.” Jessicashared.
“I agree. Bryan’s a gentleman though. I hopehe has the good sense of breaking ties with the woman, for his owngood, regardless of who her father is.”
“Just who is her father?”
Florence waved the question off with asniff.
“Second generation steel. But, more of a loudmouth thug than anything else. I’m afraid Bryan has beenhood-winked by Miss Dalton’s beauty, rather than the trueshe-devil, who dwells beneath that porcelain skin.”
Jessica nearly spurted out the coffee shejust sipped and laughed. “Say what you really feel, why don’tyou!”
Florence sent her a miffed look, making herlaugh even more.
“I have to admit, I agree. The little timeI’ve spent with him, made me believe he wasn’t the type to attachhimself to such a woman.”
Her Aunt nodded, as she pushed her plateaside and refilled her coffee cup.
“You’ve chosen well. Bryan Gallagher is anexceptional young man, and you’ll make a good team. He just turnedthirty and the youngest member, you know, to ever be electedSenator in this state.”
“He wasn’t always a politician though,right?”
She, too, set her plate aside and settledback to await her Aunt’s reply.
“I met Bryan through an acquaintance of yourUncle’s. Sen. Walt Markham, was Chairman of the Codes Committee,which basically has jurisdiction over all aspects of bills thatprotect crime victims and punish the criminals. Walt reached out tohim after a series of murders plagued the capitol some years back.Bryan was a Lieutenant on the Vice Squad for the City of Albany.They worked on legislation together pertaining to the deathpenalty. Walt died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Bryan wasmaking quite a name for himself, and the party reached out to himto fill Walt’s chair.”
“The more I learn of him, the more I likewhat I hear.”
When she noticed the look of approval on herAunt’s face, she waved her point finger at her.
“Don’t go reading anymore into thatstatement. My interest is purely platonic.”
Her Aunt smiled knowingly and replied.
“Whatever you say, dear.”
She could tell from the look on Florence’sface, her Aunt was thinking she had a crush on Bryan. She didn’t.She admired him. She found him rather charming and witty, and yes,he was a hunk of burning love, by any woman’s standards. The manexuded sexuality for Pete’s sake. So much so, she had stirrings ofdesire she thought would lie dormant forever. Even now, the thoughtof him left her damp between her thighs.
She shook the idea from her mind. She had togo into this job with the mentality, that Bryan Gallagher, was herboss. Nothing more. She needed this job to help her start a newchapter in her life, a life of independence and purpose. She neededto prove her worth to herself first and believe it.
“What are you thinking, dear?” Her Aunt’squestion interrupted her thoughts.
“I just hope this whole thing with Angelasettles quietly, that’s all. Everything I read on the internet lastnight, after I got home, tells me he’s a very controversialfigure.”
“You’re talking about the death penaltybill?”
Jessica nodded.
“The courts have been battling theconstitutionality of that issue for nearly two decades now. Themembers on both sides of the aisle have voted every year toreinstate it, only to have the bill vetoed by the governor.”
“But, haven’t a lot of police officer’s beenkilled in the line of duty, and hundreds heartlessly murdered inhis state over the past two years. You would think the man, wouldcare enough to want to do more?”
“Yes. I agree. I think his judgment is morepersonal. He’s not listening, to what the people of this statewant. He’s a devout Catholic and lead by those beliefs.”
“But, wasn’t a family member of his family,also a victim of such a crime? I could have sworn I read thatsomewhere.”
“A second cousin, dear. Perhaps, for him, itwasn’t personal enough. I know Walt is considering not seekingre-election. There’s been talk he’s looking at something in theprivate sector. If that happens, the party is seriously consideringthrowing Bryan’s name into the ring.”
“Isn’t he kind of young and inexperienced tohold a position of such power?”
