Babysitting the Billionaire(31)
“When he told me of his idea, to build one last expeditionary team and send it to Antarctica, I was skeptical, I have to say. But then he explained it wasn’t just for glory, but to save the planet. Because if we could show people how changes in the climate were killing these adorable birds, they might understand that it affects all the planet, including us. Brilliant.” Beau held up his hands and started clapping. May copied him, and the crowd, well-trained from decades of State of the union speeches and other functions, followed along.
Edmondsson’s face was purpling, but he did that smile thing again and made a little queenish wave. Then he lunged for the microphone.
Beau turned away from him, toward the crowd, and held up his hand. “But this is the truly brilliant part. Revolutionary. Markus here plans to let the world in on the adventure. Through video, audio, interactive media, every person on the planet can follow along on the adventure. Apps and games can show the route, and maybe teach a thing or two, as well. You never know.” That one didn’t deserve a laugh, but it got one.
“Markus has so inspired me with this idea that I have agreed to fund the expedition on the ground. We’ll be asking folks to chip in for the interactive features, and I hope you’ll want to help us out. It’s been a dream of mine to be of benefit to the adorable creatures that helped me buy my house. Houses,” he said, to another cheap laugh. “And to show how committed I am, Markus has agreed to let me lead the adventure. Together we’ll choose the team, and he’ll anchor us here in DC.”
Edmondsson’s mouth was closed so tightly May was afraid he’d crack his teeth. She’d pay for this on Monday, if not tonight.
She stepped back, but Beau still had her hand and stopped her movement just long enough to realize everything had changed. She had nothing to fear.
“Let’s raise a toast.” He signaled to the servers, who had been well-prepared by Sadie and didn’t know the difference. “To Markus!”
“And the penguins!” a woman’s voice called out. The senator’s?
After much clinking of glassware, Beau made to hand over the microphone to Edmondsson, but seemed to think better of it, and pulled it back. “Is that Senator Lindell I hear?”
“It is,” she called out.
He laughed, not really a real laugh. “You know, I’m feeling so good. I’m going to tell you something that I’ve never told anyone. Do you want to know why those Pesky Penguins are penguins and not, say, toucans or parakeets or some other bird?”
A buzz started in the audience. To be the first to know! A Washingtonian’s dream.
“Yes? Well then, it was all because I had a crush on a pretty American girl who’d come over to Finland as part of an exchange program. She made me take her to the zoo, and went on and on about the penguins. She knew so much about them! She was so impressed by how clever they were, and how committed to each other. They mate for life, you know. But one thing she was not impressed by was me.”
“I was a bit of a—how do you say?—slacker, right? A lazy-ass. And she had plans, and dreams, and well, you know how it goes.”
“But I never forgot her, or her blasted penguins. And when we needed a cute but not-too-cute animal to boomerang all over creation, what did I come up with? You guessed it. And have you guessed the girl, as well? Senator Lindell, what do you say?”
Heads swiveled, looking for the petite senator. The spotlight found her by the time she was in the front of the room. Beaming that TV-melting smile, she stepped onto the stage and gave Beau a big politico hug. Then she took the microphone.
Edmondsson had gone still, a deer frozen in the social headlights. Sadie’s eyes were wide. The senator nodded to them both.
“Beau, Beau, Beau. What can I say? I was blind.” She mimed a face palm, and the crowd chuckled. “If only all our unrequited loves could grow into such successes, we would never need bailouts.” Half the crowd tittered.
“But I do love penguins, and I’ve been a longtime supporter of the Foundation. In fact, my fiancée, Sadie, works for them. Don’t you, dear?”
May could not believe her ears. The Senator had outed herself, here?
The room went silent as if no one else could believe it, either. Then phones started snapping out of pockets and purses as people rushed to be the first to get this bombshell out. The Senator took a shell-shocked Sadie by the hands and kissed her briefly on the lips. At least two dozen camera flashes went off.
The Senator led Sadie off the stage, front, and people started crowding around them. Beau clicked the mic off. He stepped forward to hand it to Edmondsson, but the other man turned and stalked off. Beau shrugged.