She returned his smile and giggledsoftly.
“Well, I wouldn’t go quite that far, butclose.”
“I agree. My thoughts were all over theplace. Sen. Talbot is a man I need in my corner. If I can get hissupport on the DP bill (death penalty), then more will follow hislead.”
“Look, to get a handle on the serious murderrate in this state, this bill needs to be passed, Bryan,” Sheanswered. “You know, and I know, that it’s not going to solve theproblem, but it sure as hell will make criminals think aboutkilling someone and give the system a chance to right itself intime.”
He pondered her words thoughtfully, as hepulled into the restaurant’s parking lot and up to the valetparking area. Two cars were ahead of them, as he turned toanswer.
“You make a good point. There are keyquestions I know will come up like does capital punishment detercrime? Will innocent people be executed? Am I pursuing it tofurther my career? Will the statutes unfairly targetminorities?”
“And probably,” she interrupted, “what thefinancial impact on the state will be?”
“Yes, that too,” he agreed. “If we can getthrough these over dinner, then I think we have a good chance atwinning Talbot over.”
Two valets quickly appeared to open each oftheir doors, they exited, and together entered theestablishment.
Angelo’s was one of the city’s most upscalesteakhouses. It was extremely popular with the members and theirstaff, because of its proximity to the Capitol. It had the classand flair of the dinner clubs back during the Roaring 20’s, and themodern sophistication of a five-star restaurant. It took themnearly fifteen minutes to make their way to the table they werebeing escorted to, as they were stopped by acquaintances,colleagues, and other government officials.
Jessica was surprised they got a table soquickly, as her chair was gallantly pulled out by Bryan for her tobe seated.
“Aren’t we the lucky ones to get seated sofast,” she stated, as their hostess handed them each a menu.
“I called and requested a table after wespoke,” he admitted, and playfully raised his eyebrows at her.
Jessica shook her head in amazement. He wasquite the man, this Senator of hers.
Their waiter approached, introducing himself,and began to recite the specials for the evening. They listenedintently and Bryan immediately ordered a bottle of Sauvignon forthem to share.
Jessica released a deep sigh of contentment,as she sat back in her chair, slipped the heels from her feet, andrubbed the soles of her feet against the carpeted floor.
“It has been quite a week. Where does thetime go?”
“You’re playing in the big leagues now. Thereis no such thing as time where we work. Business happens no matterthe hour.”
“I heard the farther we get into Session, thelonger the hours become. Is it true, that you’re sometimes inchambers, until two ... three … four o’clock in the morning?”
“Um hmm,” he uttered. “The staff of themembers will wear their slippers, bring in their pillows, snacks,and yes, we even allow spirits within reason. It’s tradition andkicks in around budget time, and doesn’t stop, until we break forsummer.”
“Nothing quite like it, I suppose.”
“What I like to do is give the staff comptime. Because everyone is salaried, there’s no overtime pay. So,Claire keeps count of everyone’s o.t. past 5 p.m., and then thestaff is awarded that time off with salary, during the summer. Theonly one, who doesn’t, are the interns, but I compensate them witha nice cash gift card on their last day.”
“You’re a very just and decent man, BryanGallagher.” She offered.
He bowed slightly.
“It’s the way my parents raised me. They getall the credit.”
She raised her point finger to emphasize herremark.
“That may be true, but one can be gravelyinfluenced by outside sources. You’ve chosen not to be.”
The waiter arrived with their bottle of wine.He poured a mouthful for Bryan to test. When Bryan did so, andnodded his pleasure, their glasses were filled and the waiterdeparted.
Bryan raised his glass to toast, and Jessicafollowed suit.
“Here’s to the women, who mold us, to thewomen, who keep us in line, and the women, who dare to loveus.”
