One Final Step. Stephanie Doyle

do it.”

      The words were out before she could stop them. She couldn’t help herself. She felt caught up in his infectiousness. She wanted to stand up and give everyone a new car. More than that she wanted to show everyone what a person who was committed to something could accomplish, no matter what the odds.

      An inner voice told her she’d tried that before. Look at where it led you.

      But that was seven years ago. Maybe it was time she started counting, after all.

      “That’s great. That’s very cool. I’m…pleased.”

      Madeleine nodded. She reached into her briefcase and pulled out a contract. “This is a standard contract from the Tyler Group. It breaks down my rates, services and expenses. You should have your attorneys look it over.”

      “Yeah, yeah.” He signed and dismissed the paper without even looking at it.

      “I hate to be blunt, but you really should consider going over the contract first. The Tyler Group isn’t cheap and my rider, while not diva level, is still extensive.”

      “I don’t want cheap. I want the best. I’ll pay whatever you’re asking. It’s done.”

      Madeleine smiled. “That will make Ben happy. Okay, then we should establish a time to start.”

      “Right now.”

      “Now? Surely you have other matters to attend to and will need to rearrange your calendar, Mr. Langdon.”

      “It’s Michael. And I don’t. This is the most important thing to me. I know this is going to take time. You don’t change your image overnight. The sooner we get started, the sooner I get what I want. The CEOs I’m trying to convince aren’t easy pushovers. I’m talking about Carter, Blakely, Rodgers and Smithfield.”

      The current leaders of the four largest car companies in America. He was right, convincing one of those men to take a risk would be hard enough, convincing one of them to take a risk with him was something altogether difficult. Maybe impossible. But he had her on his side.

      Madeleine pulled out her laptop and powered it up. “Well, we need to begin with my parameters. As I said, I don’t intend to have anything to do with your spotlight. I will not do PR from the front line. I will not do direct media interviews or issue press releases in my name. I will, however, work my media contacts and connect you with the people I think can help, but I will do so discreetly.”

      “Yeah, yeah. But hear me out. I know the whole big scandal and everything.”

      That was one way to describe it.

      “Before all that, you were really respected. Revered even. I’m thinking you hanging around a bum like me might be a good thing. Your presence alone could gain me respect.”

      She could see in his eyes that he truly believed what he was saying. A flush of emotion overcame her and for a moment she feared she would tear up. She swallowed it and took a breath.

      “While I appreciate the sentiment, Mr. Langdon…”

      “Michael. Please say my name.”

      His tone took her off guard. Not annoyed. Not angry. Merely insistent.

      “Michael.” The name came out of her mouth sounding like a sigh. “I don’t think you understand the magnitude of what happened. Trust me when I tell you being seen with the former president’s mistress will not gain you any public-relations points. If anything it will make you more of a joke.”

      “So you slept with your boss. It’s not the first time that’s ever happened. It’s not like you’re Jezebel.”

      According to her father she was. In fact it was the last word he’d ever said to her.

      “It doesn’t matter. You need to trust me. My presence will not help you. My advice can. You wanted to know where to start?”

      “Yes.”

      “Then we start with the people who gave you your image in the first place. You’ll need to use the media—only this time on your terms. You’ll need to identify several well-known charities you can link your name with.”

      “I already have a charity.”

      Madeleine knew he donated generously to a jobs program that helped inmates transition when they left prison. “Yes, but we’ll need something more high profile. I know it sounds self-serving and the idea of charity is to be selfless, but in this case we have no choice. I’m thinking environmental causes. Attaching yourself to the green movement will seem to give you purpose when you present your idea to the people you want to partner with. It raises the stakes on the whole project.”

      Michael stood and paced a little behind his desk while Madeleine used her computer to call up events that might be newsworthy.

      “There, in two days. And bonus—it’s local. There is a charity being hosted by Solarcomp. They are the group that promotes…”

      “I know who they are.”

      “For five thousand dollars a plate you can attend, for twenty thousand a plate you can sit at a table with the former vice president who believes solar energy is the key to our clean-energy future.”

      Michael stopped his pacing and faced her. “I’m not opposed to the environmental causes.”

      “That’s good. Few people are.”

      “I meant… I want you to know…you…that I’m not launching this car for purely altruistic reasons. I’m a businessman. I have what I believe is a good idea. I want to make money from it. If in the end it saves people money and helps the environment that’s gravy, but it’s not what I’m about.”

      Madeleine looked at him. “Why do you think it’s important I should know that?”

      “I don’t want to be a fraud to you. I don’t want you to think I’m something I’m not.”

      Madeleine considered that. “I think you’re a businessman, in need of a new reputation. I think your cause is worthy and I’ve already accepted the position. You don’t have to prove anything to me, Mr.…”

      “Don’t do it.”

      “Michael. You don’t have anything to prove to me, Michael.”

      “Of course I don’t. I wanted you to know the score. That’s all.”

      “Okay. Well, let’s talk about Solarcomp’s Night of Lights event. According to the website I can still get you two seats at the five-thousand-dollar level. Given the attendees it should definitely garner some media attention. Plus, the former vice president has a new book coming out. We need to talk about your escort.”

      “Escort? That’s an old-fashioned word.”

      “Your date.”

      “That can’t be you? Right?”

      Madeleine felt a zing of reaction whiz through her body. She wasn’t sure if it was fear, revulsion at the idea of being seen at an event or something else she wasn’t going to put a name to.

      She met his eyes and searched them for meaning. When he looked back at her directly she could see his intentions. He wasn’t asking her on a date. He was simply reiterating his point that he thought it was a good idea to be seen with her.

      He was wrong.

      “Michael, do you trust me to do my job?”

      “Of course. You wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

      “Then please don’t ever ask me something like that again. I’ve told you I’m poison. I mean this not in a self-deprecating way, but in the cold, hard fact way.”

      “Maybe I want a beautiful woman on my arm.”

      “Do an internet search on your name, then click the images page. I’m sure