The Blackfire Protocol by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 49

With the arrival of summer, Congress was dismissed until September. As planned, Frank and Betsy started out for Maine, and having access to a small jet decided to make use of it so as to maintain a low profile. Once they landed in Portland, he rented a car and, within two hours, pulled into the driveway of the cabin he had reserved. Of all the small towns surrounding the area, he randomly decided on Long Beach, and stepping out of the car, Betsy immediately took in the view of Frye Island, located almost in the middle of Sebago Lake. “Oh my God,” she said. “That’s beautiful. Is the rest like this?”

He began unloading the car, carrying their luggage and groceries they had picked up on the drive up. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I’ve never been here before.”

Betsy was hypnotized as she kicked off her shoes and wandered down to the beach. This was a first as well, and having never been to a beach, she found the sensation of the sand between her toes exhilarating and at the same time relaxing. Frank

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could have used her help in bringing the luggage and groceries into the cabin, but seeing how much she was enjoying herself, decided to complete the task himself. By the time everything was organized, Betsy was just making her way back to the cabin. They were located on Naomi Street off Sebago Road, just a stone’s throw from the water, and having visited the beach already, Betsy planned on spending a great deal of time there. However, the most important items they needed had been forgotten—swimsuits.

But Betsy had a solution and suggested they simply wait until night, when the eyes of the public would be closed in sleep.

“Christ, you’re daring, aren’t you?” he asked. Betsy’s only reply was a teasing wink and a slight grin. But that night there would be no swimming nude in the lake as both had become weary after having traveled from DC. Frank had not traveled that far since leaving home for college, and Betsy had always been a city girl, having been born and raised in DC. The sight of so much water and wilderness led her into an epiphany of sorts, lifting her up into a higher emotional state. Later, they hiked the trails that surrounded the lake. The smell of pine wafting on the clean woodland air was almost too much, and overwhelming her senses sent her into a peculiar high. It was an experience she would never forget.

That night, they decided not to take their usual nude swim and instead lie in bed talking. Of course, they explored each other’s bodies when they had the energy, but there was something about the outdoors that spurned their friendship. They came to believe

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that it was this friendship that held a bit more value than the sexual recreation they had so often involved themselves in. After so many years of simply jumping into the sheets, simple conversation seemed alien to them, but Frank was careful not to discuss certain topics out of political concern. He trusted Betsy with his life, but some things are best left unspoken.

Their escape from the hectic pace of political life was far too short, and soon they found themselves on the road back to the airport. From there, they boarded a flight back to DC. Although he was still on summer break, he still got paid, and thus so did Betsy. She was not a congressional representative, but Frank insisted on paying her. After all, she worked for him regardless of the fact that Congress was not in session. The drive back from the airport was oddly quiet, with both struggling to stay awake. Dropping him off at his house, Betsy mustered the strength for a bit of conversation. She was exhausted, but not enough to forego at least a few words of invitation.

“So,” she said. “You want to get together some time, say this weekend?”

Frank was just as tired, both physically and mentally but with enough clarity to see her invitation for what it was – an overture for sex.

“Oh my God,” he replied. “Didn’t we have enough of that at the cabin?”

Betsy, ever the incorrigible one answered his question by blowing him a kiss and offering a teasing wink.

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“Jesus Christ,” he continued. “Woman, you’re going to be the death of me.”

Removing his luggage from the trunk of her car He walked back around to the driver’s side and bending down voiced a request and a warning. “Tell you what,” he said. “Give me a week or so and we’ll get together over dinner but remember, we have to be careful – no public displays of affection. Neither of us can afford the public backlash, okay?” Betsy understood completely as her own career would also be on the line.

“Sure,” she replied. “To be honest, I could use a break. I’ll give a call, okay?”

“Sounds good,” Frank replied.

There was no goodbye kiss, no physical contact. In the light of day, they couldn’t be sure who was watching. Both assumed that in their positions there would always be someone nearby set on causing trouble, on a mission to throw a wrench into Frank’s political life and perhaps Betsy’s reputation.