Just as Leo closed the black diary, sealing away the last vestiges of his weakness, a knock came at his office door.
"Come in."
Leo shoved the diary into a drawer and straightened his collar.
The door was pushed open.
Karen Miller walked in.
She was wearing a sharply tailored beige cashmere coat over a dark business suit and carried a well-made leather briefcase.
Her hair was freshly styled, her makeup exquisite and flawless.
She looked radiant, her presence powerful.
She had changed.
Or rather, she had returned to the way she was always meant to be.
She was no longer the temporary consultant who had rolled through the mud with Leo and eaten cold pizza in a trailer.
Her current title was Campaign Manager for John Murphy.
The commander who was about to orchestrate a statewide election campaign involving tens of millions of US dollars, one that would determine the political landscape of Pennsylvania.
"Good morning, Mr. Mayor."
