Without being asked, the bartender began to mix a pair of martinis. Jake realized that Tomlinson had brought Amy here often enough for the guy to know what she drank.

He slid into the booth opposite the two of them and shook hands perfunctorily with Tomlinson across the table.

“So Leeds actually met with you,” Tomlinson said, by way of greeting. He seemed fascinated with the idea.

“He wants me to tout you off MHD,” Jake said. “I’m supposed to give him my answer tomorrow afternoon.”

Tomlinson looked up at the paneled ceiling, then asked, “What did Chris offer you?”

For some reason that he didn’t understand, Jake felt a pang of guilt.

Misunderstanding Jake’s silence, Tomlinson prodded, “Come on, Chris knows how to play the game. He wants something from you, so he offered you something in return.”

With considerable bitterness, Jake said, “He offered me a choice: tenure at the university or a broken head.”

Tomlinson broke into a grin. “He threatened you?”

“Not in so many words, but it looked damned clear to me.”

Amy said to Tomlinson, “He must be worried if he’s pressuring Jake.”

“Worried about the MHD idea.” Tomlinson’s smile broadened. “We’re on to something, all right. If MHD scares him, it’s a card we can use to beat him.”

With a glance at Jake, Amy said, “I don’t understand why Leeds is being so blatant about this. He has Sinclair on his side. Tim and Bob Rogers aren’t going to come out and openly support you. Why is he so afraid of the MHD idea?”

“Because it’s a great issue,” Tomlinson said, with growing excitement. “It’s an issue that can decide this election.” He reached across the table to bang Jake playfully on the shoulder. “By god, Jake, I think you’ve won the election for me.”

Jake muttered, “I hope I live long enough to see election day.”

“Don’t tell me you’re scared?” Tomlinson said.

“Damned right I am. I know the goons he’ll use. I grew up with them.”

With a wave of his hand, Tomlinson said, “We’ll protect you. Don’t worry.”

Jake nodded uncertainly.

“And if it’s tenure you want, that’s no problem. My father built half the goddamned school’s campus. He’ll put in a word for you.”

Just like that, Jake thought, staring at the man. His father puts in a word and I get tenure. If I live to enjoy it.

The bartender brought their drinks on a tray. Jake noticed that Tomlinson’s martini was garnished with a twist of lemon, while Amy’s had three little green olives on a plastic spear.

“Thank you, Kenneth,” Tomlinson murmured to the bartender.

Tomlinson lifted his glass and Jake noticed that its stem was actually two curved arcs of glass: they looked like a cowboy’s bowed legs.