The Heart Always Wins: Prologue

Prince LaVeré Ashro of Emure, yes, an actual African Prince, attended Harvard graduate school with James Brooks, the Chief of Staff for sitting President JD Harrison. Over the years the two shared good times and bad.

It was at LaVeré’s home in Emure, Africa where James spent his time dealing with the divorce from his first wife. Now, James was married with children and quite happy. As for LaVeré, it was James’ assistance he sought to find a wife. You see, for some time, LaVeré’s father has pushed for him and his brothers to marry and extend the royal family’s bloodline. As the youngest of three sons the pressure was not as great, but it was unmistakably present. There was one thing LaVeré knew for sure. He did not want an arranged marriage. He wanted to select the woman who would become his wife. A woman his equal in intelligence and determination, but one who understood her place. LaVeré understood and respected American women. They were different from the women in his country. Women in America were used to having their say, doing as they pleased, and going at will. While the women in his country knew their place, did not speak out of turn and did not go anywhere unaccompanied by a male. Women here did not have to have a man, and made sure men knew that. Women in his country were the property of men, and the men made sure everyone knew that. Although he liked the customs of his country, LaVeré wanted to see progress in the area of equality. He knew, without a doubt his older brother, Aswan, once King, would not take steps on his own to liberate all within his country. However, with a little persuasion, LaVeré was pleased to see his brother implementing change. It was taking a little time, however, all social classes and women were becoming somewhat liberated.

For a while, LaVeré thought the woman who could meet his requirements for a wife was Cynthia Thornton. As it turned out, she fell in love with Samuel Lassiter, a man he had come to admire. They were now happily married with children. It seemed several of his friends’ lives had been impacted by the same phenomenon, as James and Samuel. JD Harrison, the sitting president of the United States, married and happy. Brian Thompson, the personal body man to the president, married and happy. Even Joshua Lassiter, the last man LaVeré ever thought would settle down with one woman, was now married, happy and had a child. It seemed only he and his friend Douglas Hylton were still single. Even with that, Douglas had a woman in his life that he loved. LaVeré had no doubt that Karen Holt would, one day soon, say yes to Douglas. When that occurred, he would indeed be the last man standing. They had all found love. The one thing that seemed to have escaped him. He was beginning to think his country’s custom of arranged marriages may not be such a bad idea after all.

 LaVeré refilled his empty glass with the very smooth cognac sitting on the table in the Senate room of the Gentlemen’s Club. The man sitting across from him, Senator John Roth, who in his late sixties, had also found love, had invited him there. He was married to the President’s mother-in-law, Lena Washington. Now, if the Senator could find love in an advanced age, what was his problem?

The President had assigned Senator Roth to convince him to become Ambassador of Emure to the United States. To them it was a simple plan. LaVeré had a home in the United States. He was familiar with the economic needs of Emure and was a member of the Royal Family. As a foreign diplomat, his credibility would be unquestioned by either side. LaVeré had to admit, the Senator had made a convincing argument. So much so, he was actually considering taking the appointment.

United States Senator John Roth had retired from his seat to a life of relaxation with his wife Lena. They hadn’t been married long, but he stated it was the happiest he’d ever been in his life.

“My wife Lena was right,” John said as he sat across the table from Prince LaVeré.

“Right about what?” LaVeré asked the older man as he brought a glass of cognac to his lips.

“You can’t have two women in the same house at once. It only brings confusion and drama for the men who happen to live under the same roof.”

LaVeré smiled. “Oh, I don’t know, John. A little drama can bring life into the mundane tasks of the day, don’t you think?”

“No.” John sat forward as LaVeré laughed. “You say that because you’re still young and have the stamina to deal with multiple women. Let me explain something, son. There is drama that lasts for a day or two. That’s what I have with my wife. I tend to like that drama, for my wife has a very active imagination. It generally ends with innovative makeup sessions.” The two men laughed. “This drama of two women in your life can be hell on a man’s mental health.” He glared at LaVeré. “I’m an old man. I need a break.”

“Ah, there can only be one queen in any household. More than one, even if you love them, can cause you to seek peace in other ways. That’s why you agreed to the role of emissary on behalf of the President to convince me to become the Ambassador of Emure?”

“It is. Make me a happy man and tell me I am making some headway here.”

LaVeré nodded. “You are opening my mind to the thought.”

“You will be granted full diplomatic benefits. You may work out of the Embassy or from your home. The Department of Defense will require certain security adjustments, with your approval, of course. We are certain King Aswan will approve of your appointment.”

“Ah, he may, however, my mother may have issues with him for doing so.”

“She wants you home?”

LaVeré nodded. “Home, married and with a few grandchildren on the way.” He took another drink.

John stood. “Well, negotiations with you have taken a toll on this old man’s bladder. After two bottles of cognac, I need to make a trip to the men’s room. Don’t start the next bottle without me.”

John walked out into the hallway, then turned left towards the men’s room. The Gentlemen’s Club had been his second home during his days in the United States Senate. Many deals, and secrets were developed in these rooms. If the walls could talk, the citizens of the United States of America’s hearts would fail from the sheer magnitude of danger that had been avoided and, in some instances, started. Before reaching the corridor that led to the men’s room, a door to John’s left opened and four men walked out.

“Jerry?” John called out.

The four men turned to look his way, one quickly turned away before John could clearly see him. A second man did the same. Jerry walked towards him as if blocking the view of the third man.

“John.” Ex-Senator Jeremiah McClintock extended his hand. “What on earth are you doing in these hallways? I thought you retired?”

John knew the routine. The men with Jerry did not want to be seen. He had been in that situation many times himself. He took the man’s hand.

“I could say the same of you. How is Texas these days?”

“Good, good. You are looking well. I understand you got married. Congratulations.”

“I did a few years ago. Thank you. I am a happy man. What about you? You have to be proud of the work your son is doing. He has made a damn good Vice-President.”

“Thank you for that, John. I understand you had a hand in helping with the transition team. He tells me you were a key factor in getting some of the Democrats to give him a chance. I appreciate that.”

“Listen, I serve at the pleasure of my President. It wanted it to work, for the good of the country.”

“Country first, always.” Jerry extended his hand. “I have to catch up with my party. It was good seeing you, John.”

“Same here, Jerry.” John accepted the hand. “You do the same.”

John made the left turn down the corridor to the men’s room thinking of the exchange. It was clear Jerry was out of sorts. He could feel the nervousness in the man’s handshake. He walked into the men’s room. While standing at the urinal, flashes of the men’s faces, at least the ones he’d seen, played in his mind. He shook it off, then walked to the basin to wash his hands. That was when recognition hit him, causing him to wonder what in the hell would Jerry be doing with Stuart Wainwright? The man was a billionaire and a close friend of his ex-father-in-law, Worthington.

“Hmm, that’s an odd combination,” he said as he turned to dry his hands under the blower.

His back was to the door as it opened. John did not bother to turn. If he had, he would have seen the knife before it reached his throat.

“Where is he?” LaVeré walked over to the door and looked down the hallway in both directions. There was no sign of the Senator or anyone else for that matter. The quietness of the area was not unusual, for the purpose of the facility was to have high level meetings out of the public eye. The doors to the rooms located in each corridor, were generally closed due to the nature of the meetings, or the guests in attendance.

LaVeré looked in the direction of the men’s room. That was where the Senator indicated he was going. He walked in that direction. As he approached the corridor where the men’s room was located, he noticed a man in a dark suit walk out. His back was to him, so he did not see the man’s face. The man’s quick steps, and the way he ducked around the next corner caused LaVeré to proceed a little faster. He could not explain why, but the hairs on the back of his neck raised. Entering the restroom, he did not see the Senator, but he heard gurgling sounds.

“Senator?”

LaVeré walked past the urinals, to the stalls, pushing each door open. The sight that greeted him caused him to leap into action. Senator John Roth was sitting on the commode, with his clothes on and his hand around his neck. Blood was streaming through his fingers.

“John.” LaVeré pushed the panic button on his key ring. He pulled the Senator to the floor. Moving quickly, he used the handkerchief from his jacket pocket, to cover the cut to the Senator’s neck. The Senator tried to speak.

“Do not try to speak. Help is on the way.”

A huge man dressed in a black suit and tie hurried through the door. “Your Highness?” LaVeré looked up to see Edmund, his secretary in the doorway. “Get an ambulance here, Edmund, and call the police.”