Southern Comfort - Fern Michaels [90]
“Thurman, dear, why did you destroy your phone?”
The governor paced in front of his large desk several times before answering. “I believe there is a wiretap, a bug, whatever they call it on my phone.” He examined the bits of broken pieces on his desk. In the plastic rubble he discovered a small, round, nickelplated device the size of a dime. “This is why I destroyed my phone.” He held out the small object for her to examine.
Elizabeth surveyed it with interest. “I see.” She walked over to the bank of windows that overlooked the gardens. It was time. She knew this day would come but honestly had not expected it to arrive quite so soon. She turned to face her husband of more than forty-five years. “What will you do?”
Thurman shook his head. “I’m not sure. I have to come up with something. This is not the way I’ve envisioned this stage of my life. I am about to announce my intention to seek the nomination of the Republican party for president! This is the worst possible time for this to surface. The race is wide open. This is my year, goddammit! I’ve worked too long and too hard to allow someone to ruin it for me!” Thurman slammed his fists against the top of his desk, sending debris flying in every direction.
Elizabeth briefly thought of all the money and the endorsements they’d privately accepted. If word of this . . . incident got out, it would all have to be returned. They would be ruined politically.
“Thurman, first you need to calm down. Nothing is ever resolved with anger. Let’s go into our private quarters.” She waited for him to reply. When he didn’t, she said, “We will have complete privacy there.”
The governor swiped the rest of the broken phone from his desk. “Call Robert and have him clean this up immediately. I’m going to need another phone. Ask Jacob to meet us in our private quarters. It won’t look good if anyone comes in here and sees the office of the governor looking like a pigsty.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Of course. I’ll see you in our quarters in ten minutes.” She hurriedly left Thurman’s office in search of Jacob, the lieutenant governor. He was completely devoted to the governor, and Elizabeth decided that was a good thing. She found him in the main lobby with a group of college students.
“Excuse me, Jacob?” she said politely. “May I have a word with you?”
The students oohed and ahhed when they spied Florida’s first lady. She smiled at them, asked about their studies, and even made a few suggestions on next year’s curriculum. After their telling her how much they admired the governor, Elizabeth thanked them again, then practically yanked Jacob away. “The governor needs to see you in our private quarters.”
“Of course, as soon as I finish with these students.” He turned his attention back to the group clustered in the lobby.
“Tell them there is an emergency. The governor specifically asked that you come immediately.”
Jacob took a deep breath, then gathered the students in a semicircle. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut our tour short. There has been an emergency, and the governor has asked that I come to his office right away.” The group made their disappointment clear, but Florida’s lieutenant governor was not lacking in political skill. “This is one of the lessons you will all learn if you choose a career in government. The well-being of the public must always come first. Now, if you will excuse me. Have your professor arrange for another tour. I’m sure we will be able to accommodate you all in the future.”
After the students thanked him, Jacob followed the governor’s wife to the private living area.
“Is the governor ill?” he asked as he trailed in her wake.
“Yes, but not in the physical sense,” Elizabeth answered swiftly.
Outside the door to their private quarters, Elizabeth paused before entering. “Jacob, this is one of those times that your absolute discretion is a must. I do