Little Pink House_ A True Story of Defiance and Courage - Jeff Benedict [11]
When Levin floated Dr. Gaudiani’s name past Ellef, it didn’t mean much to him. It wasn’t immediately clear why the governor should entrust a massive redevelopment project to a woman already tasked with running a liberal-arts college with 1,700 students. Did she have the juice to push the state’s agenda through City Hall?
Levin believed she did. Claire was no typical academic—she possessed an uncanny power of persuasion and a captivating presence. Claire’s combination of brains, charm, and relentless ambition made her an irresistible force in New London. Everywhere she went, Claire had the ability to win over people, especially men. Numerous men’s organizations in New London made Claire an honorary member. “Blue-collar men understood what I was trying to do,” Claire said of herself. “They were terrific with me.”
Perhaps most important, Claire knew just one speed—full throttle.
Ellef had heard enough to take the next step. He agreed to meet with Claire.
Claire didn’t know Ellef. She didn’t know about the governor’s big plans for New London. And she had no idea Levin worked for Ellef. She agreed to meet with Ellef only after Levin said Ellef wanted to meet her.
When Levin brought Ellef to Claire’s office at Connecticut College, Claire kept them waiting. Ellef didn’t appreciate it; he wasn’t used to waiting for anybody.
“I didn’t know who he was, and I didn’t care about him,” Claire later explained.
Irked after standing around for roughly half an hour, Ellef threatened to leave. Before he did, Claire emerged and invited Ellef in. A quick study, he didn’t take long to size her up. Attractive, energetic, and articulate, Claire came across as advertised.
After the meeting, Ellef wanted Claire at the helm of the NLDC. The governor was persuaded, too.
Only one nagging question remained: could she be controlled?
Ultimately, they determined she could be. After all, the state had adequate incentives to keep her in check. Along with the prestige of overseeing a very high profile development, Claire would receive a lot of the credit if the project succeeded. An opportunity of this nature would enable her to punch her own ticket for her next career move. As long as Claire remembered the source of her power, the governor had nothing to worry about.
Levin now anticipated some opposition from one of the city’s most influential political forces—attorney Tony Basilica, the chair of the city’s Democratic Party. Husky and balding with dark eyes, Basilica had the looks and vocabulary of Tony Soprano. He spent his career defending criminals as a trial lawyer. When he wasn’t in the courtroom, he was in a back room practicing politics in a way that would make Machiavelli proud.
Basilica had established himself as New London’s kingmaker. In that role, he had fought and won a lot of political fights alongside Levin. Basilica had even managed a couple of Levin’s campaigns. The two were tight.
Levin wanted Basilica’s blessing before revamping the NLDC and turning it over to Claire, so he and an associate met with Basilica and one of his associates. Basilica listened while Levin explained his consulting role with the governor’s office.
Hearing nothing that sounded problematic, Basilica said little while Levin talked up the idea of reviving the NLDC. Then Levin got to the hard part—he wanted to appoint Claire Gaudiani to lead it.
Basilica grinned and shook his head from side to side. “No way,” he said.
Levin attempted to explain.
Basilica cut him off. “No way,” he repeated. “You’re not doin’ that. No way.” Basilica reminded him that Levin had previously convinced him to work with Claire on a city initiative to improve the public schools. Reluctantly, Basilica had gone along but felt that Claire had embarrassed him. Basilica had not forgotten. “Look, we’ve already had our experience with her,” Basilica said. “We don’t want