Turning back to the TV, Jake saw that the news station’s election team had placed a red check mark next to Tomlinson’s name on their election scoreboard, with the words: PREDICTED WINNER.

Amy stood on tiptoes to give Tomlinson a congratulatory kiss on the cheek. Cameras whirred. Tomlinson pulled loose, grinning, then raised both arms in a victory wave for the crowd. Tomlinson’s father almost smiled. Everyone was cheering; somebody even threw a handful of confetti into the air.

But as Jake looked down at Glynis he saw that she was serious, somber, not even smiling. She’s thinking about going to Florida to find Dr. McGruder, Jake knew.

Tomlinson made an impromptu thank-you speech to his campaign workers, finishing with, “Now on to November … and the United States Senate!”

Everyone yelled. Even the news reporters and camera crews joined in. Jake felt suddenly tired, as if he’d run a hard race and needed to cool down. Glynis smiled minimally and nodded, but her eyes were gazing past the crowd, past the celebration.

Tomlinson’s father raised his hands for quiet. “If you’ll all go down to the ballroom now, my son and I will join you there in a few minutes.”

They all filed out, all except Tomlinson and his father. And Amy, who stood between the two men. Jake left the suite with Glynis and Younger.

In the ballroom a dance band was in full swing, belting out an old rock tune while couples in dark suits and bright gowns gyrated across the polished floor. Champagne was flowing freely. Jake spotted Bob Rogers and his wife thumping along with more energy than style. Glynis and Younger headed for the bar, leaving Jake standing alone, the blare of the music hurting his ears, thinking that he might as well go on home.

Then the band began a country-and-western waltz and Jake saw Leverett Cardwell and Alice come out onto the dance floor, looking like two animated china dolls, he in a tux and she in an honest-to-god Alice blue gown. They glided gracefully among the other couples, smiling at each other as if there were no other people on the planet.

Once the music ended, Jake weaved through the crowd toward the Cardwells. Lev saw him approaching and gave him a fatherly smile. Jake went with them to one of the round tables that had been set up along the periphery of the ballroom.

“You’ve done a good job, my boy,” Cardwell said as they sat down. “You got the electric utility industry, the coal mining industry, and the environmental movement all to endorse MHD. That’s grand.”

Jake felt a flush of pleasure. “I’d rather hear that from you than get elected to the Senate myself, Lev.”

Cardwell’s round face grew more serious. “Now the job will be to keep your man from forgetting about MHD. You’ve got to keep the issue at the forefront of his campaign.”