He stayed away from Glynis, although he phoned her daily, to make certain she was all right. She showed up at the big rig outside Lignite the day that Jake, Rogers, and the video team shot the scene for the documentary there.

Glynis stood beside Tim Younger while Jake and Rogers went before the cameras to show how much smaller and more efficient the MHD generator was compared to the standard turbine plants.

“No need to boil water and make steam,” Rogers said, while Ziegler stood behind one of the cameras and smiled encouragingly. “No turbines. No moving parts at all. But this MHD generator is fifty percent more efficient than turbine power plants. And bigger MHD plants will be even more efficient.”

As the video crew wrapped up its equipment, and Ziegler complimented Rogers on his pronunciation, Amy grabbed Jake’s arm.

“Isn’t that Glynis Colwyn over there?” She nodded toward where Glynis and Tim Younger stood, deep in conversation.

“That’s her,” said Jake.

“I hadn’t realized how good-looking she is.” Amy cast a knowing eye at Jake. “Should I be jealous?”

Jake gaped at her. “Should you be … come on, Amy. What about you and Frank?”

She managed to look surprised. “Oh, Jake, you just don’t understand, do you?”

“I understand,” he said. “I understand perfectly.”

But Amy shook her head, gave Jake a pitying smile, and walked away.

The Second Debate

THE SECOND DEBATE

Two nights later the second debate between Tomlinson and Senator Leeds was staged at the Bok Planetarium. The two candidates stood at lecterns in the middle of the round, domed room, with the moderator—the blond, ebullient anchorwoman of the state’s most popular TV news show—sat on a stool between them. The planetarium was filled, every seat occupied and standees jammed in shoulder to shoulder all around the circular wall.

The park outside was thick with people sitting on folding chairs or picnic blankets as they watched the big TV screens that Tomlinson’s campaign staff had set up. A strong thundershower had soaked the grass earlier in the afternoon, but as the sun went down the skies cleared and a bright, nearly full moon rose in the east.

Aside from making the arrangements with Dr. Cardwell for using the planetarium, Jake had virtually nothing to do with the planning for the debate. He had tried to see Amy several times, but she avoided him, even stopped taking his phone calls.

He arrived early for the debate, hung out in Cardwell’s office as the planetarium slowly filled with spectators. At five minutes before eight, Jake went down with Cardwell and took the front-row seats that had been reserved for them. He saw Amy across the central space where the planetarium projector was stowed neatly below the floor. She was sitting next to Tomlinson’s father.