“I guess not for a few weeks, anyhow, Tom.” He was a good guy, and she’d enjoyed the evenings they’d had together. But she still couldn’t let go of Tor. His death, caused by a heart issue that they’d had no idea even existed, had blown a substantial hole in her life.

“I think it’s a fight you’re going to lose. Maybe when the election’s over, things will change.”

“Maybe.”

They fell silent for a few moments. “You ever think about becoming a talk show host yourself? You’re good at it. And you wouldn’t have to keep running off somewhere every few months.”

“I think long-term it would get boring.”

“Not like sitting for weeks in an oversized tin can.” He took a deep breath. “Can I take you to lunch tomorrow?”

A few minutes later, Blanchard called. “I’m sorry your name got out, Priscilla. I don’t know how that happened. As far as I can tell, nobody here said anything.”

“It may not have been one of your people, Derek. I haven’t exactly sat on the story.”

“Be careful what you say to the media.”

“I will.” She asked herself whether she really wanted to do this. And knew that was a joke. There’d never been any question in her mind. “When can I get a look at the Eiferman?”

NEWSDESK

Thursday, February 14, 2256

STACKHOUSE DECLARES CANDIDACY

First Transgender Presidential Candidate of Major Party Joins Race

MYERS GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS

Ontario Governor Faces Thirty Years on Corruption Charges

TIDAL WAVE HITS SOUTH GEORGIA, CAROLINAS

Offshore Earthquake Causes 90-Foot Strike

Despite Evacuation and Early Warnings, Hundreds Believed Lost

Seismologists Had Been Predicting Event for Decades

HAUBRICH WINS BAKER AWARD

Walking on Air Named Best Novel

ALAN BANNER LEADS EARLY POLLING FOR INDEPENDENTS

NANCY MOUNT BILL PASSES IN HOUSE

Proposes “None of the Above” Be Added to Ballot

Thirty Percent of the Votes Would Trigger New Election

HIGH SCHOOL IN MEDUA ATTACKED BY TEEN GUNMAN

Attacker Was Quiet, No Record, No Previous Incidents

Four Dead, 13 Injured

RESEARCH INTO PROVIDING HIGH IQ FOR INFANTS COMES UNDER ATTACK

Experts Claim IQ Set Naturally at Optimal Point for Psychological Health

Providing 200-plus Intelligence Level Might Cause Emotional Damage

Darwin Again? Does Ultra-High IQ Handicap Survival?

SCOUT TROOP RESCUES HIKERS AFTER LANDSLIDE

Twenty People Swept Away in Missouri Avalanche

Two Still Missing as Search Continues

PRISCILLA HUTCHINS TO PILOT CALLIOPE MISSION

Flight Hopes to Resolve Waterfall Issue

STUDY REVEALS HEALTH BENEFITS FROM BUDDHISM

Serious Benefits Derive from Serenity

BIRTH DEFECTS REACH ALL-TIME LOW

Statistics for 2255: Only 1 Child in 925 Shows Abnormal Condition

CONCERNS ABOUT CALLIOPE FLIGHT RISING

High-Tech Aliens Might Be Dangerous

JACK CRISPEE LEAVES BLACK CAT

Didn’t See This Coming, Says Network

“We Wish Him All the Best”

4.

Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing,

Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness,