The Candidate Read online

  ADVANCE ACCLAIM FOR THE CANDIDATE

  “The Candidate is a political thrill ride. It’s like being thrown into the middle of a presidential campaign, but with some major—and terrifying—twists. Never has the corruption of power been more chillingly portrayed. This book is a spellbinding trip into the heart of darkness. I couldn’t put it down.”

  —RITA COSBY, EMMY-WINNING TV HOST, RADIO HOST, AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “Lis Wiehl’s latest thriller The Candidate opens a number of windows for the reader. Can an ambitious reporter keep her soul while fighting her way to the top of the TV news industry? That intense conflict will keep you turning pages.”

  —BILL O’REILLY, FOX NEWS ANCHOR

  “The Candidate is quite a yarn. It takes you deep in the intrigue of a presidential campaign with savvy and authority, and the twists and turns are unpredictable, spooky, and so relevant. It will keep thriller fans and political junky readers up late into the night!”

  —ALAN K. SIMPSON, U.S. SENATOR, WYOMING (RETIRED)

  ACCLAIM FOR THE NEWSMAKERS

  “This book is distinctive, with a terrific plot and an imperfect main character who is spellbinding. Kudos to Lis Wiehl for imaginative, yet absolutely believable in this ‘me’ world, great writing. Wiehl has distanced herself from the pack with this one.”

  —SUSPENSE MAGAZINE

  “. . . Wiehl is more than up to the task in crafting a superb page-turner as provocative as it is scary.”

  —PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

  “Wiehl’s insider knowledge of the television news industry gives this novel credibility and excitement beyond the everyday tale.”

  —RT BOOK REVIEWS, 4-STAR REVIEW

  “The Newsmakers is sure to grip readers and open their eyes to the intense field that is journalism.”

  —CBA RETAILERS + RESOURCES

  “The Newsmakers—introducing a compelling new character in cable-news star Erica Sparks—is a twisty, suspenseful adventure with the ring of authenticity that only an insider could provide. Wiehl and Stuart bring us into the world of major-league broadcasting with verve and thrills.”

  —WILLIAM LANDAY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF DEFENDING JACOB

  “A heart-pounding thrill ride from someone who knows the news business inside out. Lis Wiehl’s The Newsmakers is not to be missed!”

  —KARIN SLAUGHTER, AUTHOR OF PRETTY GIRLS

  “A page-turner from the word ‘go’! Completely entertaining! Outrageously readable! This quick-cut action-thriller spotlights television’s cutthroat deal-making, unholy alliances, and lust for success. Gotta love Lis! As always, she nails it.”

  —HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN, AGATHA, ANTHONY, AND MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF WHAT YOU SEE

  “The Newsmakers is a stunning debut thriller in a new series by one of my favorite authors. Lis Wiehl casts her insider’s eye on the intrigue and drama of high-stakes television journalism. Terrorist attack? Murder of a presidential candidate? A reporter whose own life is at risk? This thrill ride has them all. Wiehl has crafted another bestselling winner with this powerful crime novel.”

  —LINDA FAIRSTEIN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “Lis Wiehl is a seasoned journalist who knows the news business. Here, she’s fashioned a tantalizing story that takes full advantage of her insider status. It’s a fascinating thriller, which poses a curious question: What happens when reality is not quite good enough? The answer is going to shock you.”

  —STEVE BERRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “The Newsmakers is sensational—taut, troubling, and terrifying. With Erica Sparks, Lis Wiehl has created her most memorable character yet: a reporter who has smarts, drive, heart—and a dark past that threatens to pull her down. Waiting for book two won’t be easy.”

  —KATE WHITE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  ACCLAIM FOR A DEADLY BUSINESS

  “The second Mia Quinn mystery is action-packed from the first page. Layers of lies and deception make for a twisting, turning story that will keep mystery lovers entranced. This is a thrill ride until the very end, so hang on tight and enjoy the trip!”

  —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW, 4 STARS

  “Wiehl’s experience as a former federal prosecutor gives the narrative an authenticity in its depiction of the criminal justice system. Henry’s expertise in writing mysteries and thrillers has placed her on the short-list for the Agatha, Anthony, and Oregon Book awards. The coauthors’ . . . fast-paced detective series will keep legal thriller readers and John Grisham fans totally engrossed.”

  —LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW

  “Wiehl has woven a wonderfully multi-layered story that will have readers on the edge of their seats . . . A Deadly Business delivers everything we love in a massively good mystery.”

  —CBA RETAILERS & RESOURCES REVIEW

  ACCLAIM FOR A MATTER OF TRUST

  “This suspenseful first in a new series from Wiehl and Henry opens with a bang.”

  —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

  “Wiehl begins an exciting new series with prosecutor Mia at the center. The side storyline about bullying is timely and will hit close to home for many.”

  —RT BOOK REVIEWS, 4 STARS

  “Dramatic, moving, intense. A Matter of Trust gives us an amazing insight into the life of a prosecutor—and mom. Mia Quinn reminds me of Lis.”

  —MAXINE PAETRO, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “A Matter of Trust is a stunning crime series debut from one of my favorite authors, Lis Wiehl. Smart, suspenseful, and full of twists that only an insider like Wiehl could pull off. I want prosecutor Mia Quinn in my corner when murder’s on the docket—she’s a compelling new character and I look forward to seeing her again soon.”

  —LINDA FAIRSTEIN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  ACCLAIM FOR THE TRIPLE THREAT SERIES

  “Only a brilliant lawyer, prosecutor, and journalist like Lis Wiehl could put together a mystery this thrilling! The incredible characters and nonstop twists will leave you mesmerized. Open [Face of Betrayal] and find a comfortable seat because you won’t want to put it down!”

  —E. D. HILL, FOX NEWS ANCHOR

  “Who killed loudmouth radio guy Jim Fate? The game is afoot! Hand of Fate is a fun thriller, taking you inside the media world and the justice system—scary places to be!”

  —BILL O’REILLY, FOX NEWS AND RADIO ANCHOR

  “Beautiful, successful, and charismatic on the outside, but underneath a twisted killer. She’s brilliant and crazy and comes racing at the reader with knives and a smile. The most chilling villain you’ll meet . . . because she could live next door to you.”

  —DR. DALE ARCHER, CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIST, REGARDING HEART OF ICE

  ACCLAIM FOR SNAPSHOT

  “The writing is strong and the plot is engaging, driven by the desires (both good and evil) of the characters and the reader’s desire to know who killed a man decades before, how it was covered up, and whether an innocent man has been charged and imprisoned. The book offers a ‘snapshot’ of the civil rights movement and turbulent times.”

  —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

  “A pitch-perfect plot that tackles some tough issues with a lot of heart. Snapshot brings our world into pristine focus. It’s fast-paced, edgy, and loaded with plenty of menace. Lis Wiehl knows what readers crave and she delivers it. Make room on your bookshelves for this one—it’s a keeper.”

  —STEVE BERRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “Snapshot is fiction. But it takes us along the twisted path of race in America in a way that is closer to the human experience than most history books.”

  —JUAN WILLIAMS, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF EYES ON THE PRIZE: AMERICA’S CIVIL RIGHTS YEARS


  “Inspired by actual historical events and informed by Lis Wiehl’s formidable personal and professional background, Snapshot captivates and enthralls.”

  —JEANINE PIRRO, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SLY FOX

  “Riveting from the first page . . .”

  —PAM VEASEY, SCREENWRITER AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

  ALSO BY LIS WIEHL

  NEWSMAKERS NOVELS

  The Newsmakers

  The Candidate

  THE MIA QUINN MYSTERIES (WITH APRIL HENRY)

  A Matter of Trust

  A Deadly Business

  Lethal Beauty

  THE TRIPLE THREAT SERIES (WITH APRIL HENRY)

  Face of Betrayal

  Hand of Fate

  Heart of Ice

  Eyes of Justice

  THE EAST SALEM TRILOGY (WITH PETE NELSON)

  Waking Hours

  Darkness Rising

  Fatal Tide

  OTHER NOVELS

  Snapshot

  © 2016 by Lis Wiehl

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

  Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].

  Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

  ISBN 978-0-7180-3890-8 (eBook)

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Wiehl, Lis W., author. | Stuart, Sebastian, author.

  Title: The candidate / Lis Wiehl with Sebastian Stuart.

  Description: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2016. | Series: A Newsmakers novel; 2

  Identifiers: LCCN 2016018974 | ISBN 9780718037680 (hardcover)

  Subjects: LCSH: Women journalists—Fiction. | Reporters and reporting—Fiction. | Presidential candidates—Fiction. | Conspiracy theories—Fiction. | Political fiction. | GSAFD: Suspense fiction. | Mystery fiction.

  Classification: LCC PS3623.I382 C36 2016 | DDC 813/.6—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016018974

  16 17 18 19 20 21 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1

  For Dani and Jacob. With unconditional love always and forever.

  —Mom

  CONTENTS

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 43

  CHAPTER 44

  CHAPTER 45

  CHAPTER 46

  CHAPTER 47

  CHAPTER 48

  CHAPTER 49

  CHAPTER 50

  CHAPTER 51

  CHAPTER 52

  CHAPTER 53

  CHAPTER 54

  CHAPTER 55

  CHAPTER 56

  CHAPTER 57

  CHAPTER 58

  CHAPTER 59

  CHAPTER 60

  CHAPTER 61

  CHAPTER 62

  CHAPTER 63

  CHAPTER 64

  CHAPTER 65

  CHAPTER 66

  CHAPTER 67

  CHAPTER 68

  CHAPTER 69

  CHAPTER 70

  CHAPTER 71

  CHAPTER 72

  CHAPTER 73

  CHAPTER 74

  CHAPTER 75

  CHAPTER 76

  CHAPTER 77

  CHAPTER 78

  CHAPTER 79

  EPILOGUE

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  PROLOGUE

  CELESTE PIERCE ORTIZ WINCES AS the needle slides into her forehead. She should be used to it—after all, she’s been Botoxing for, what is it, six years now? Of course it’s worth it, but there’s just something about the first sight of that hypodermic that makes her afraid—just for a moment. Celeste is never afraid for more than a moment. Fear is for weak people. Little people. Tragic little people. Lily taught her that. And so much more.

  “All done,” Dr. Martin says, withdrawing the needle.

  Celeste looks out her dressing room window. The mansions of Pacific Heights march like gilded bullies down the hillside to the Marina, the Presidio, and the waters of San Francisco Bay. Looming above the scene is the Golden Gate Bridge. This morning the iconic orange span is shrouded by fingers of fog that creep up its foundation like the tentacles of some ghostly sea creature. Celeste loves the fog. It slinks in silent and silvery, obscures things, hides them in plain sight. Under the cover of fog all manner of deeds can be done, safe from prying eyes. And when the fog lifts, plans are in place and no one is the wiser.

  “I don’t think you need any filler touch-ups today,” the doctor says.

  Celeste looks in the mirror—her face is as smooth as a plate. “No, I think we’re fine,” she agrees. She clasps the doctor’s hand. “Thank you, Phillip. How’s the family?” She rarely gets into the whole family thing with employees. It can drag on forever, and does she really care that so-and-so’s daughter made a goal at her last soccer game? But her dermatologist ranks right up there with her lawyer and her husband’s top donors as people she needs.

  And the media, of course. But they’re in a separate league, a big league, and they have to be cultivated and stroked and wooed and, yes, manipulated. Because no one gets to the White House without having the media in their corner. But you can’t trust them. They can turn on you. And start digging, rooting around in your darkest corners. They’re dangerous. They have to be watched. Like a hawk. Like a hungry hawk. And if need be, stopped. By any means necessary.

  The doctor leaves, and Celeste walks into her small private office adjoining the bedroom. She switches on the TV to GNN, her preferred cable news network. Newscaster Erica Sparks is on, delivering a special report on the thousands of earthquakes that have rattled states where fracking is used to extract gas. Celeste watches carefully. Sparks is good. Really good. Beautiful and charming, yes, but also serious and thorough. As well as powerful—she’s host of the highest-rated news show in the country. As she watches, Celeste is intrigued by Erica. There’s something in the newscaster’s eyes that hints at hidden depths, at some secret she keeps from the world. What could it be—and could it possibly be used to the campaign’s advantage? Celeste makes a mental note: It’s time to begin investigating—and wooing—Erica Sparks.

  The latest polls are out today. Why hasn’t Samantha called? Not a good sign. Celeste picks up her phone and dials her public office, which is in a separate wing of the ma
nsion.

  “I’m just on my way up with them,” Samantha says preemptively.

  Celeste gets down on the floor and does a series of core-strengthening exercises. Not that her core needs strengthening. It’s steel. Always has been. Hasn’t it? She could have just coasted through life as the Princess on the Bay, as that story in Town & Country labeled her two decades ago. Going to parties and benefits and sprinkling her vast inherited fortune on various worthy causes. That’s what her mother wanted—her silly, shallow socialite mother. How insulting. To Celeste. To all women. Of course she ignored Mummy’s wide-eyed admonitions. Celeste went to Stanford and then Stanford Law and then the Harvard B-school, and then into international banking where, armed with her fluency in Mandarin—and her friendship with Lily—she became Wall Street’s go-to person for navigating the Byzantine byways of Chinese finance, making her own vast fortune in the doing.

  And now. Now. Now she is married to Senator Mike Ortiz, who stands a very good chance of becoming the next president of the United States. Which will make Celeste the most powerful person in the world. With Lily Lau—who will be named President Ortiz’s chief of staff—by her side. Sometimes, usually in the early-morning hours as the world sleeps, she imagines what they’ll do with that power. And it won’t be half measures. It will be a tectonic shift. They will do nothing less than remake the world as we know it.

  There’s a knock on the master suite door. Celeste stands up. “Come in.”

  Samantha Baldwin enters. Celeste can tell instantly from the expression on her pudgy face that the polls bring bad news. Samantha is such a homely girl, with those porcine features and that lank hair. Celeste likes to hire unattractive girls; their pathetic insecurity makes them putty in her hands. A single inflection in her voice can make them squirm or jump, which is always such fun to watch.

  She takes the pages from Samantha’s hands and scans the poll results. There are only two Democratic candidates left fighting for the nomination, her husband and that folksy Fred Buchanan. He and his drab wife, Judy (she really should change her name to Mousy), with their lack of charm and charisma, make these latest results doubly hard to swallow. Buchanan is gaining on her husband, is up six points in the last two weeks. Measures must be taken. Celeste walks over to the window and looks out. The bridge, which on clear days looks almost close enough to touch, is barely visible through the thick fog. The fog of war.