Free The Race by Richard North Patterson

Christians to believe that Christy's a self-serving egomaniac and that his candidacy is an embarrassment to the good religious people who just want to protect their families." Eyes fixed on Rohr, Price finished: "You can spread the word through Rohr News, talk radio, newspapers, and whatever else you own. After Christy's performance tonight, you oughta have the motivation. Do you?"
    "If Rob wants me to." Rohr turned to Marotta. "All I want, Rob, is what Magnus tells me you believe in—a government that doesn't hamstring wealth creators."
    Marotta understood immediately that this was a crucial moment: he was seated between two arrogant men who believed that they controlled his future, and who needed to know that he—like Christy—could not be controlled. "This is all very nice," he said with an edge in his voice, "and I'd be very grateful if you'd support me. But you're forgetting a couple of details. The first is that I'm where I am for a reason, and I got here without you. If our beliefs coincide, fine. But I'm going to trust my instincts and run my own campaign." Pausing, he looked from Rohr to Price, underscoring his words. "The second detail is all the things you don't control. Starting with stem cells."
    "True enough," Price responded. "Seems like they're Bob's excuse for running."
    Marotta nodded. "If we lose that stem-cell vote, he runs."
    "If
you
lose, Rob—you're the majority leader." Turning to Rohr, Price asked, "Suppose we find some scientists to say the whole stem-cell thing is bogus. Think you can give them airtime?"
    "Of course," Rohr answered with a trace of impatience. "But if you'll forgive my amateur opinion, you're overlooking the biggest problem of all."
    "I haven't forgotten," Marotta said softly. "Corey Grace."
    Nodding, Rohr repeated with equal softness, "Corey Grace."
    "He's surely a problem for
you,
Alex—the phrase 'Hook-Up' comes to mind." Marotta's voice turned cool again. "So let me spell it out for you. In effect, Grace is a creature of Christy. If Christy enters, siphoning off Christian votes, that's Grace's invitation to run—"
    "Not if
I
can help it," Rohr interrupted harshly. "I don't want that careless sonofabitch anywhere near the White House. No one I know wants him."
    "Which," Marotta answered dryly, "absolutely breaks his heart. Corey lacks what you might call the normal incentives. Including any discernible interest in how you feel about him."
    Rohr fixed the senator with a hard stare. "Isn't there anything you can give him?"
    "Nothing I've been able to identify."
    "It's better not to even try," Price interjected. "Why give our hero ideas?"
    "He already has them," Marotta said flatly. "I was watching him during Christy's speech, and he looked absolutely chipper. Whenever he looks like that, it's a lousy day for me. In his heart of hearts, Corey is certain that he should be president of the United States, and he knows that his only chance depends on the Reverend Christy."
    Rohr stared at his drink. "Let us pray," he said in a tone of disgust.
    "Oh," Price answered with a smile, "I think we can do better than
that
."

6
    THE DAY AFTER CHRISTY'S SPEECH, COREY MADE A POINT OF WATCHING his daily television show.
    Perched in front of the television in Corey's office, Corey and Jack Walters ate Reuben sandwiches. Head bowed, Christy stood alone on a sound-stage. "Thank you, Lord," he intoned, "for causing Hurricane Sarah to veer away from our beloved state of Virginia ..."
    "Problem is," Jack remarked, "it's about to hit Long Island. Seems like Christy's pull with the Almighty is strictly regional."
    Corey shrugged. "Hitting Long Island is part of God's plan."
    On the screen, Christy raised his head, his voice thick with emotion. "I can feel the presence of God today, hear the stirrings of His people. In the words of John F. Kennedy, 'Here on earth God's work must truly be our own.'"
    "God's one thing," Jack opined, "but channeling JFK is shameless."
    Intently watching the screen, Corey