Little Misunderstanding - Part VII

I did a little research on the train south and found that the Senator’s wife came from an “old money” family from New England. She had never sought out the spotlight and was likely a “stay behind the scenes” wife by choice.

Of course she made the public appearances that any politicians’ wife needs to make. She was last seen with her husband at the Kennedy Center during some kind of tribute for an opera singer from Poland. All the “A-List” folks in the Washington social scene attended the after party. It took place at the Plaza Hotel on the outskirts of the beltway and was still going strong the following morning.

Alana Jamesway left the party after the meal, around 9:30 pm. Her husband, the Senator was one of the last to leave. He spent time with a number of socialites that night but it was rumored that the starlet Vicky Shulmer had his attention for most of the late night portion of the activities.

All of this info added an enhanced degree of speculative anxiety leading up to the confrontation that I was working towards on the steps of the Senator’s townhouse. When we arrived, I asked the camera crew to hold back at the sidewalk until I had a chance to have a few words with Ms. Jamesway.

“Ms. Jamesway, I’m a reporting from the NY Chronicle, I was wondering if you would be willing to answer a few questions for me regarding the recent accusations involving your husband?”

“I’m sorry sir, I really haven’t been paying much attention to all of this stuff, I’m not sure I could help you.”

“We’d like to know if you had any statement on either the allegations of misappropriation of funds or the rumors regarding Vicky Shulmer’s alleged relationship with your husband?” Might as well go for the gold with the first question.

Her face contorted quickly into an expression of both hurt and shock. I immediately regretted blurting out the question in the manner I just did.

“I will talk with you but, only off the record and no cameras…”

“Sure… I understand, I appreciate that…” I turned back to the camera crew and told them that they were to wait on the street. I then turned and followed the senator’s wife into their townhouse.

We walked down an elaborate hallway with some impressive artwork on both walls and a plush carpet underneath. She wound her way into the kitchen area and made a bee-line for the coffee machine on the counter. She offered me a cup (which I quickly accepted) and took a position at the breakfast nook on a stool. I took a seat opposite her on the counter.

She began “ I know nothing about the allegations that the commission has put forward… My husband keeps most of his professional life to himself and we don’t discuss this in any capacity. What is this about my husband and Ms Shulmer?”

“Well, we suspect he was in New York in her company over this past weekend. We know that they spent the night in the same hotel on Sunday and were both seen leaving the premises Monday morning. I can’t state that they left together but there are rumors to that effect.”

“I can’t comment on that. We have a good marriage and I completely trust my husband. I’m sure you are mistaken about this alleged relationship. There must be some misunderstanding”