Red Helmet by Homer Hickam Page B

made my father a lot richer.”
    â€œHow did you and Cable meet?”
    Song studied the woman. “Why the interrogation, Doctor?”
    â€œCable’s pretty tight-lipped. The people of Highcoal don’t know much about you. I want to carry a good report back, get the ball rolling in your favor.”
    â€œWhy? What’s your interest in helping me?”
    â€œI like Cable.”
    â€œYou don’t like me?” Song was a little plaintive.
    â€œI don’t know yet. You come across as tough, New York–style, but I think there’s a softer side of you hiding out.”
    â€œI’m complicated,” Song confessed. “I always have been.”
    â€œHere in Highcoal, it’s best not to be too combative over little things that don’t suit. You have to kind of roll with the punches, if you get my meaning.”
    â€œYou’re saying I have to keep my mouth zipped. That’s hard for a New York girl, Doctor.”
    â€œHoney will catch more West Virginia flies than vinegar, Song.”
    â€œI’ll try to keep that in mind.”
    â€œHow did you and our mine superintendent get together?”
    â€œWe met in Times Square. I was bowled over by a street dancer and Cable picked me up off the sidewalk.”
    â€œCute way to meet,” the doctor
said. “When was that?”
    â€œAbout six months ago.”
    The doctor gave Song’s answer some thought. “That must have been right after he broke up with the governor.”
    Song blinked. “What does that mean?”
    â€œCable and the governor. Michelle Godfrey. You know.”
    â€œHonestly, I have no clue.”
    Doctor K took on a worried expression. “It seems I’m in a dangerous area here. It would be better if you talked to Cable.”
    â€œFinish your story,” Song demanded.
    Doctor K drummed her fingers on the arm of the rocking chair, then provided a shrug. “Well, I guess you’ll hear about it from somebody. Might as well be old busy-body Doctor K. Governor Michelle Godfrey and Cable were an item until about six months ago. I guess that’s when you entered the picture. You sure Cable never mentioned her?”
    â€œThis is the first I’ve heard.” A sense of foreboding was creeping up Song’s spine.
    â€œHuh,” the doctor grunted. “Slipped his mind, I guess. Men have minds like steel sieves when it come to former girlfriends. Do you know anything about our governor?”
    â€œUntil this moment, I only suspected West Virginia might have one.”
    â€œYou’ve heard of Birch Godfrey, maybe? He represented West Virginia for about a thousand years in the U.S. Senate. Ten years ago, Godfrey’s wife died and a year later, he met and married Michelle, who at the time owned a big real estate company near Washington. She moved to Charleston, whereupon she became the instant leader of everything cultural in our capital city. The symphony, opera, all the arts, it didn’t matter. She was always there with her checkbook out. She became extremely popular. When the senator died three years ago, she was urged to run for his seat. The way I understand it, she didn’t want to leave Charleston, so she announced for governor. Then, even though all the pundits said she didn’t have a chance, she won in a landslide! As they say in these hills, whoda thunk it?”
    Song absorbed the account, then went to the heart of the matter. “What does she look like and did Cable sleep with her?”
    â€œLooks? Great figure if you like the hourglass variety, blonde from a bottle, and big blue eyes. Sleep? From what I hear, a man probably doesn’t get much sleep around her. Oops. There I go. More Highcoal gossip. It’s contagious, I fear.”
    â€œI think I hate her,” Song said, the truth too strong to hold back. “And, at this moment, maybe Cable too.”
    Doctor K shrugged. “Hate Cable? For what?