"Toby?" Mandy Hampton called as she knocked on
Ziegler's open office door. "You have a minute?"
The dark haired man in his late forties glanced up
from his computer screen. "No, but when has that
stopped you?"
Mandy stepped further into the office. "Do you know a
Michele Duncan?"
Toby returned his attention to his computer screen. "I
believe she worked for Hoynes for about a month."
"She's writing a book," Hampton replied as she sat
down.
Toby met her gaze. "About the Vice President?"
Mandy nodded. "I got a call from a friend of mine
who's a publisher."
"She was only here a month, how much damage could she
do?" Ziegler replied as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Does the Vice President have any skeletons in his
closet?"Mandy asked as she stood.
"No." Toby replied as he leaned back in his chair.
"You sure?" Mandy replied.
"Yes," Ziegler replied firmly. "Anything else?"
The dark haired woman shook her head as she turned to
leave. "No."
"Okay," Toby replied as he returned his attention to
the computer screen.
*******
Sam arrived at the bustling restaurant a few blocks
from the White House and scanned the crowd. He finally
spotted Josh sitting in a booth against the wall a few
feet from the kitchen door.
As he sat down Sam ordered an iced tea from a passing
waitress. "What's going on?"
Lyman looked at his friend for a long moment not sure
how to start. More than anything he didn't want to
betray Donna's confidence but if they were going to
protect Leo, Sam had to know everything.
"Lillienfield backed out of the deal," Josh replied as
he leaned forward.
"What?!"Sam replied sharply just as the waitress
returned with his drink.
Both men waited in silence until the young woman left.
"What does he want?" Sam asked as he fought to control
his temper.
Josh shook his head. "He wants a fight. He's out for
Leo's blood no matter who gets hurt along the way," he
replied as he handed Seaborn the newspaper.
"This from Lillienfield?" Sam asked as he unfolded the
newspaper.
Josh nodded tightly. "He's gone after Donna."
"What?" Sam asked in surprise as he quickly scanned
the article. "This true?"
Josh glared at the younger man. "Of course not."
"Josh....." Sam prompted. "Is Donna sick?"
Lyman sighed as he thought back to New Year's. "She
thought she was."
"When?" Seaborn asked tightly.
"New Year's," Josh replied as he glanced over Sam's
shoulder to the window. "She finally told me when we
were trapped in the elevator."
"Was she raped?" Sam asked with concern.
Lyman shook his head. "No, she had a one night stand
with a jerk who didn't tell her he was HIV positive."
Sam rubbed the back of his neck wearily. "How the hell
did Lillienfield find out?"
"I don't know." Josh replied quietly. "I had to pry it
out of her.....I doubt she told anyone else."
"Who was the guy?" Seaborn asked as he dumped a couple
dollar bills on the table.
Josh shook his head. "She wouldn't tell me. Sam, I
can't let this get out...she's been through enough. I
don't want her to have to deal with a witch hunt with
the press."
Sam nodded. "We have to talk with Toby. We'll figure
out a way to deal with Lillienfield."
***********
end of part 2 TBC