Just a little idea I had in the back of my mind for a while now. I hope you like it :)
Peter sat at his desk in the State's Attorneys office going through some case-files, that had piled up lately. The campaign took more of his time than he anticipated.
It had gotten late and he just contemplated leaving or opening up another file when he heard a knock on his door. He looked up confused and checked his watch for the exact time. He had thought that everyone except him had already left.
"Come in!" he called out and looked curious to the door.
It was opened and Mike Kresteva entered the room.
"Hello, Peter." Kresteva closed the distance to Peter's desk with a few wide strides.
"How is it going, Peter?" Kresteva flashed Peter an exuberant smile.
"Hello, Mike!" Peter plastered a fake smile on his face. "To what do I owe this sudden visit?" he gestured towards the chairs in front of his desk inviting Kresteva to sit down.
"Cutting right to the chase there, Peter!" Kresteva chuckled and sat down.
"I think we can skip the pleasantries." Peter looked straight at him.
"All right!" Kresteva reached for his briefcase and rested it on his lap. "You remember when I told you, you would not regret running for Governor but your wife would?" he opened the briefcase and took a manila envelope out of it.
"Yes." Peter nodded slowly.
"Well, the time to make good on that promise has come now." the smile on Kresteva's face had gone.
"Then I don't understand why you are here in my office. Shouldn't you be talking to my wife instead?" it was Peter's turn to chuckle now.
"Not if I can give you a chance she might not have to regret it." Kresteva was playing with the envelope in his hands.
"What are you talking about? What do you have?" Peters voice became serious.
"Something that will look very bad for Alicia and for her firm. Didn't Lockhard/Gardner just offer her to become partner? It might also impact your campaign as she is supporting you." Kresteva still dangled the envelope in front of Peter.
"This..." Kresteva placed the envelope on the desk "...will not be as big as your scandal. But the press will love it nonetheless. I can already see the headlines 'The downfall of a Saint!'" Kresteva laughed.
Peter raised an eyebrow on Kresteva's latest remark. He had an idea where Mike was going with this and hoped he was wrong.
"Cut it out, Mike!" Peter was getting annoyed by Krestevas stalling tactics.
"Oh, you're right. I might enjoy our little conversation even more once you know what I am talking about." he picked up the envelope again and threw it over the desk towards Peter. It hit the wooden surface and scooted a few more inches until Peter stopped it with his arm.
"Open it, Peter!" Mike leaned back in his chair and watched Peter with amusement in his eyes.
Peter reluctantly picked up the envelope. He reached into it and produced a small stack of photos with the backside facing him. He turned them slowly, glancing at Kresteva who smirked at him.
The photo on the top showed obviously the inside of a Hotel room. In front of the bed stood a couple in a close embrace. He could not make out their features but the woman looked familiar to him. He sighed deeply and looked inquiring at Kresteva.
"Go on. I am sure you will recognize them." Kresteva was clearly enjoying this.
Peter placed the first photo on the desk revealing the next picture. He gasped in surprise. The faces of the couple were now clearly visible. It looked like the camera had zoomed in significantly. He closed his eyes for a second and exhaled. It was Alicia and Will. This picture seemed to been taken a while after the previous one as the first picture still had them fully clothed. This picture showed Will shirtless. He was engaged in kissing Alicia's throat and unbuttoning her blouse. Alicia's eyes were closed and she was clearly enjoying Wills actions.
"What do you want?" Peter shook his head in disgust and threw the pictures on the desk.
"Don't you want to look at the rest? It gets better!" Mike's voice was still cheerful.
"What do you want?" Peter got impatient and stood from his chair.
"You have three guesses!" Kresteva laughed and looked at Peter expectantly. But Peter just shook his head and watched him angrily.
"Oh, Peter! Don't be such a kill joy!" Kresteva laughed. "I want you to drop out of the race. If you don't, this.." he pointed at the pictures "..will find its way to an eager journalist."
"You can not be serious, Mike." Peters sounded slightly desperate.
"I am serious. Drop out and I will forget these pictures exist. Don't drop out and you're wife's affair with her boss will go public. Your choice, Peter." Kresteva stood from his chair and went for the exit.
"Oh, and Peter, should you decide to stay in the race, you won't find a way to link the pictures to my campaign." Kresteva turned in front of the door.
"Even if I drop out you still have to beat Maddie." Peter walked around his desk.
"Sure, but I have dirt on her, too." Kresteva shrugged at Peter. "Think about it, Peter. You have a week to announce it. Otherwise I wouldn't buy a newspaper the following day." Mike opened the door.
"You forgot your pictures, Mike!" Peter called out after him.
"Keep them! For your personal...pleasure!" Kresteva smirked at Peter and left the office.
After the door fell shut behind Kresteva Peter collapsed into his chair. He hid his face in his hands and took a few deep breaths. When he opened his eyes again his gaze fell onto the pictures that were still lying on his desk. He couldn't bear to look through all of them, so he grabbed them and shoved them into one of the desks drawers, locked it and put the key into his pocket. Breathing seemed to be easier now that they were out of sight. He reached for his cell phone and wrote a text:
We need to talk asap. Meet you at my office first thing in the morning.
He hit send and put the phone away. Leaning back in his chair he just sat for a few minutes before he got up and left the office.
So, what do you think? Should I go on with this?
Please remember: Reviews are a writer's payment ;)
