Thank you all for coming here today andactively being a part of this State’s legislative process.”
Reporters bustled closer to the podium,trying to draw attention to their questioning.
“Senator Gallagher, please,” Ross Chandlerfor WSAC News. “You must feel a little jubilant, knowing your billwill become a law after all these years?”
Bryan replied immediately. “You must knowsomething, I don’t, Ross.”
“Ah, come on Senator,” the reporter pushed.“The Governor’s son has just been snuffed by a convicted killer.It’s like money in the bank for you.”
Bryan’s tone was irritated.
“Okay, that was heartless and rather crass topresume the Governor will change his stand, because he just losthis son.”
Questions flew at him from alldirections.
“Senator, who were your colleagues, whomisrepresented their voters? Do you think Luther Corbat will beexecuted now? Is the bill still in committee?”
Bryan raised his hands to stay furtherquestioning.
“The bill is on the Codes agenda for a voteas we speak. As far as my colleagues are concerned, their votes arepublic record. Those in support, stand behind me now,” he noddedover his shoulder. “If it goes to the floor, you’ll be on thatvoting list like bees to honey.”
Laughter broke out amongst them, asassurance, he was right.
Yancy Hamilton News 10 rose her hand.
“Yes, Yancy,” Bryan acknowledged.
“Senator, do you plan to meet with theGovernor to discuss, or perhaps negotiate, what to do with theLuther Corbat’s out there?”
“My priority,” he answered, “is to express mydeepest condolences in person. I don’t plan to bring up thesubject. Now, if you all will excuse me, I have a lot of work todo. Again, thank you all for coming.”
Bryan turned toward Jessica and lightlyencircled her waist with his arm, and with Connor by his otherside, they exited the public hearing room together.
They halted just outside the door, in a smallanti-room.
Connor was the first to speak, with a pleasedlook upon his face.
“That went well, don’t you think?”
Bryan nodded and replied.
“I’m happy with the membership, who showed.It wasn’t the majority though. We’ll have to wait and see, if thepublic puts the pressure on.”
“Well, you know you’ll be the headline newstonight, and I think the numbers will surprise you.”
Bryan shrugged. “Time will tell. Look, Ican’t thank the two of you enough. We’ve put in a lot of long hoursover the last few weeks. I’m confident we’ve got the majority voteto get it out of committee. I’d like the two of you to join metonight for dinner. Connor, how about Abigail? Do you think she canget a sitter on such short notice?
Connor pulled his cell from his breast jacketpocket. “I’ll give her a call now,” he replied, and walked away tomake the call.
Bryan looked at Jessica and pulled her to theside.
“Why don’t you head on up. I need to talk tothe Sergeant over there, “he nodded in the direction of the officerstanding a few feet away.
“Anything serious,” she asked in a concernfilled tone.
“Nothing for you to be worried about,” hereplied.
Connor returned. “Abigail can join us. I toldher I would give her the details later.”
