Hank laughed a deep belly laugh and then sighed, the kind of long, weary sigh that only came after years of exasperation. ”No, until I heard from your sister this morning, I hadn’t heard a peep about him in months. He's been behaving himself for a record amount of time."
"So what's the problem?” Callie asked. “I don’t think anyone will be using that tape anytime soon.”
“It’s not that tape that we’re worried about. You see, we need your help keeping him from doing anything else that would jeopardize this legislation. We just need you to keep him from making poor decisions. Think of how much Amy was able to help Ethan."
Callie did a double take. Surely Hank wasn’t suggesting what she thought he was suggesting. Amy had entered into a marriage of convenience with billionaire and perpetual bachelor Ethan Cole in order to help Ethan clean up his image. In the process, Amy fell in love with him, and they had been blissfully married for nearly two years. Hank had even known about the whole thing. “Mr. Harris, if you think I'm going to fake marry your son, you're crazy."
"That's not what we had in mind," Amy said, shaking her head.
Hank sat up a little straighter in his chair and smiled at Callie. He took another long breath, like he was purposefully slowing the pace of the conversation. He softened his tone. “Please, Callie. Call me Hank. As much as I think that would help him find his way, it is not what we had in mind. We just want you to keep an eye on him, you know, keep him out of trouble long enough for us to pass this bill without any additional incidents. Nobody wants to associate themselves with a scandal-marred family.”
"Do you really think a few gossip columns about your son can kill a law?” Callie said.
"Callie, have you paid attention to anything I've taught you?" Amy said. "Remember what happened with Senator Clark last spring?"
"That was different. We caught him with a trunk full of —"
"We all remember the headlines, Callie," Amy continued. "And whose job was it to make sure that story leaked to the press?"
"Mine."
"And whose legislative agenda got railroaded in the process?"
"Senator Clark," Callie said softly. "But that was just one case."
"Well, how about the pictures you and Rich recovered? How do you think Gavin was planning on using them?"
"It's not like it's that common."
"I can think of a dozen cases in the last year that were exactly like it. What about Judge Howard and his affinity for women's underwear? How about the minority whip's little love nest in Columbia Heights? I can go on and on. Face it Callie, this is what we do, and this is what our opponents do. We don't have to play defense on this one. Hank is here, and he's asking us to go on the offensive. This is what you signed up for. We have a chance to help pass a great law that will help this country and protect the environment. All you have to do is say yes,” Amy said. The rhythm and rise of her words had puffed up a grand sense of importance inside Callie. She had a way of making it sound like even the lowest, most tedious work could change the fate of nations.
Callie tried to push down that feeling. She knew that it would only lead her to more stress and anxiety. She needed to stand her ground and ask for her vacation. “I already told you, I need time away from all of the insider politics."
"And that's exactly what you'll get. The bill should be up for vote in a few weeks. All we have to do is get it out of committee and up for a vote. Between now and then, you'll be in Newport, keeping an eye on Logan. Hank and I will be here working on Congressman Coburn. You’ll have the easy part. Who knows, you might even enjoy yourself. Hank has quite the guesthouse. It’s right on the water.”
"I don't know." Callie cracked a smile. "You never mentioned the private guesthouse." She was starting to realize that this was the closest thing to a vacation that she was going to get.
"You were too worked up to ask about one," Amy said.
"It's all yours, and it's right on the water," Hank added. "Whatever else you need, you'll be able to find in the house. We don’t carry the staff we used to, but my assistant, Donna will handle your arrangements. Your fridge will be fully stocked, and the cleaning service will come once a week, so you won’t have to worry about any of that.”
Amy pushed a few papers across her desk toward Callie. "I've already booked your flight to Providence. You'll have a rental car waiting. Callie, this is the easiest assignment you'll ever get. Spend your days relaxing; spend your nights finding some way to keep Logan out of trouble. I doubt he even gets up before noon. You’ll have mornings to yourself to explore Newport. I kind of envy you.”