Page 76 of Keep

“I’ve seen enough of the Post to last a lifetime.”

She set the paper on his desk anyway, then didn’t leave.

“Was there something else?”

Cathy stood there for a moment. Then she straightened her shoulders.

“My brother’s gay,” she said. “He’s been with his husband for twenty-two years. They have a house in Annapolis, two dogs.” She met his eyes. “This doesn’t change who you are, Senator. It just means everyone else knows now, too.”

Hank’s throat tightened.

“Cathy—”

“I’ll hold your calls until lunch. Senator Holloway is expecting you at noon.”

She turned and walked out before he could respond.

Twenty-two years. A house in Annapolis.

He’d worked with Cathy for nearly six years. She knew his schedule better than he did, anticipated his needs before he voiced them. And he’d never really seen her at all.

He picked up his phone and tried Chad one more time.

Voicemail.

The walk to Frannie’s hideaway took seven minutes—down the corridor, through the rotunda, down a narrow staircase most people didn’t know existed. Hank had made this journey dozens of times.

Today felt different.

Frannie was already there when he arrived, seated at the small table with a spread of sandwiches and a bottle of sparkling water. She looked up as he entered.

“You look like hell,” she said.

“Thank you. That’s very helpful.”

“I’m not here to be helpful. I’m here to feed you and tell you uncomfortable truths.” She gestured to the chair across from her. “Sit. Eat.”

Hank sat. He wasn’t hungry, but he knew better than to argue with Frannie about food. He picked up half a sandwich and took a bite without tasting it.

“How bad is it?” he asked.

“The polling? You were up eight before the photo. You’re at two now.” Frannie poured him a glass of water. “That’s survivable, but you can’t afford another week like this one.”

Hank nodded. He’d known the numbers would be bad.

“Barney Frank survived worse,” Frannie continued. “Outed in the eighties. Served another twenty-five years.”

“Barney Frank was a Democrat.”

“The world is moving, Hank. We’re due for an openly gay Republican.” She studied him over the rim of her glass. “This isn’t really about the polling, is it?”

Hank set down his sandwich. “Chad won’t talk to me.”

“How long?”

“Five days.”

“He’s scared. His face is all over the news because of who he’s dating. He probably thinks he’s ruined your career.”