Brave the Storm, Season 2, Episode 3 (Rising Storm) by Lisa Mondello

here?”
     

Chapter Nine
     It was hot as hell in Sebastian Rush’s office even with the air conditioning on full blast. The journalists who had come out to interview him about a proposed veteran’s center had brought hot lights and equipment that was sucking up the oxygen in the room. But having an interview out in the square where disaster had struck at the hands of Dakota Alvarez was bad karma.
    Sebastian pulled at the collar of the crisp white shirt his mother had insisted he change into when the crew had arrived. She was right of course, but at his age he didn’t really need Marylee Rush henpecking him about such details.
    He frowned, realizing that he was being defensive, but he was in a pissy mood. He’d made the call to Logan Murphy as promised and asked him to appear in the newscast with him. The military was a brotherhood, and he’d counted on Logan to feel that camaraderie and support the proposed center in Storm. With Logan on board, Sebastian would be able to change the dialogue from the disastrous Founders’ Day fiasco to something that would pull at the heartstrings of patriotic Texans whose support he’d need on Election Day.
    But Logan had turned him down flat. He didn’t want to hear anything Sebastian had to say. When his mother found out, she’d called the reporter anyway saying they could still move forward with using Logan Murphy as a mascot for this project even if he wasn’t a willing participant. As for the veterans’ center, it would get bogged down in committee and red tape and probably redlined out of the budget before it ever became a reality. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t use Logan Murphy and his war hero status to help him appeal to voters during the election. Once he held office, he could explain away why a veterans’ center near Storm wouldn’t work, and Sebastian could move on to other things.
    “It’ll only be a few more minutes before we can get started.”
    “Good,” Marylee said. “It’s important the voters know about the senator’s accomplishments and that he has a solid plan for improving the lives of veterans returning from military service. This will be on the air tonight, won’t it?”
    The reporter glanced at her notebook. “Well, that’s up to my producer. He may want to run the segment tomorrow.”
    “During prime time?” Marylee pressed.
    The girl smiled. “Possibly.” She pulled at her blue blouse and blew out a quick breath. “Maybe we should have the interview outside. It’s very hot in here and the light is not as good.”
    “I think it’s best we focus on the campaign office,” Marylee said.
    “Well, we could have the interview out in front on the sidewalk. My crew could get some pictures of the square and of course, the headquarters sign. I think it shows you’re more in touch with the community when you’re among the citizens of Storm.”
    The girl was playing with him. She didn’t give a good goddamn where the interview was held as long as she didn’t look like a sweaty mess doing it. She was a pretty young thing in her mid-twenties. Probably doing her best to make a name for herself and move up the ranks to anchor and then eventually a network position. When Marylee had called to set up the meeting, the girl had pounced on the chance to come to Storm and interview a senator who was up for reelection. His mother had made it clear that the interview was to focus on his plans to help veterans, and in particular, to celebrate the return of Logan Murphy, Storm’s very own war hero.
    People would eat this up. The news would surely switch focus from the story of Sebastian’s philandering ways with young women to something more relevant in voters’ minds.
    “Of course,” he said amiably. “I think moving the interview outside is a wonderful idea.”
     
    * * * *
     
    “Marisol sure does bake a beautiful cake,” Sonya said, looking at the cake that Logan had just brought back to the pub. She closed the cake box after quickly