Message-ID: <7570eli$9801201634@qz.little-neck.ny.us> X-Archived-At: <URL:http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/7570.txt> From: Morg105829 <Morg105829@aol.com> Subject: NEW Kathy by Morgan Chapter 17 (M/F) Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Path: qz!not-for-mail Organization: The Committee To Thwart Spam Approved: <usenet-approval@qz.little-neck.ny.us> X-Moderator-Contact: Eli the Bearded <story-admin@qz.little-neck.ny.us> X-Story-Submission: <story-submit@qz.little-neck.ny.us> X-Original-Message-ID: <ba89d3ce.34c4055a@aol.com> To: story-submit@qz.little-neck.ny.us From: morg105829@aol.com Subj: "Kathy" Book II, Chapter 17 (M/F) (147 lines) January 19, 1998 This is about the 23rd section (I may have lost count because of split-chapter uploads) of a book that runs 31 chapters plus an epilogue. This is the last chapter of Part II. Readers are most strongly urged to read Kathy from the beginning. It will make no sense otherwise. I hope to have the balance of the book posted within a week or so. Comments (of any kind) will be appreciated. Contact me at morg105829@aol.com. Although this is substantially more tame than many postings on A.S.S.M., the usual disclaimers apply. There is an addendum, however. This book contains a PLOT! Accordingly great care should be exercised so as not to overtax one's gray cells. Permission is granted to repost, but only on non-commercial sites. Please inform me if you do so. "Kathy" (c) 1991, 1998 by Morgan. Book II Chapter 17 Kathy walked into Peter Mahoney's office and sat down in her usual chair. "Pete, I have to talk to you." Mahoney looked up startled by the serious, almost sad, tone in her voice. He showed his concern. "Mr. Mahoney, today I am submitting my resignation as assistant district attorney." Peter was shocked and showed it. As he started to speak, she held up her hand. "Peter, this is hard enough. Please don't interrupt." Kathy was sitting upright looking at him, as she continued, "You are up for reelection this year on the Democratic ticket. The Republican committee in town approached me. They asked me to run against you. I am a registered Republican, you know. They said that I have achieved a great deal in the ten months I've been in the job. They said I'm the best-known public official in town and have had extraordinary impact reducing street crime. They want me to run against organized crime. Close down the gamblers, the whorehouses, the after-hours clubs... you know, all the targets beloved of reformers everywhere. They said I could neutralize your position on violent crime and beat you on sin. What do you think?" Mahoney's face was expressionless. "It makes sense. I agree with the analysis except I'm not so sure you could beat me. Probably you could, but so what? What did you say?" Kathy did not lower her head. Pete could see tears form in her eyes and start to roll down her cheeks. She ignored them. "I told them everything I knew about fighting crime I learned from you. I said you were the most honest, most honorable man it's ever been my good fortune to meet." The tears were flowing in twin streams now and her voice was cracking, but she did not lower her head. "Running against you would be the dirtiest, most underhanded thing I could imagine. You focused on danger to the people: violent street crime and drugs. If someone wants to place a bet, big fucking deal! I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I couldn't be so two- faced! The idea of a 26-year-old girl, less than one year out of law school, trying to run this office is absurd. I told them... I told them... I told them to take their offer and stick it!" Kathy couldn't go on. She just sat in the chair with her head still upright and bawled. Pete went around the desk, took her in his arms and could feel her shoulders shaking from her sobbing. He continued to hold her while she slowly quieted down. Then he helped her back to her chair, produced a box of tissues and sat down in a chair next to her. He sat silently while she regained her composure and dried her eyes. "What do you plan on doing, Kathy?" "I live in Virginia Beach, you know. I'm even set up with an office out there." She looked at him with a rueful little smile. "You know, lined with the law books that every lawyer thinks he has to buy. I think it's kind of cute... Anyway, I guess I'll try the private practice of law." "Is there any way I can get you to change your mind?" he asked. "No, Pete. I'm afraid not. What happened was the thing furthest from my mind. Me? Becoming a threat to your career? It's absurd! I can't stay Pete. I'm sorry." "Kathy, can I tell you something? Do you remember when you came in here for the first time? Right out of law school? I told you that I had been doing some checking. Well, one of the guys said that you were so good you would be able to take my job. I don't think he had just a year in mind, but never mind. He said he thought you could, but you never would. He said you were the most personally loyal person he had ever met. His last words to me were, 'You're the luckiest guy alive to get Kathy Smith.' He was absolutely right, Kathy. You are the best thing that ever happened to me or to this office. I am proud! You made me proud, Kathy! If anyone had said that this office could accomplish what it has in the last twelve months, I would have said he was crazy! But it's happened, Kathy, and you did it." He took her in his arms and kissed her warmly. * * * The news of Katherine Smith's resignation stunned the city. A major press conference was called. In addition to all the local media, the wire services were present. In the absence of advance warning, the local TV stations were alerted by their respective network news centers to prepare a story for possible network broadcast. Peter Mahoney handled the press conference: "Ladies and gentlemen, this morning I received news that shocked me and will shock you, too: Katherine Smith has just resigned her position as Assistant District Attorney of Norfolk County, effective immediately. The reasons for the resignation were given to me but I am treating them as confidential. She can tell you if she wishes. I tried to get her to reconsider, but I did not succeed. Perhaps you will. "I want to make another announcement. Kathy Smith has bent over backward to give me public credit for the Dangerous Criminals project. She claimed that I did the analysis, worked out the program and was ready to put it into action when she started work in this office. What garbage! When we met in this very room one year ago, *I* was hearing it for the first time, too. The only credit I deserve is for acting ability. I didn't let my astonishment show... and I had the good sense to put in charge the person who conceived the program in the first place. It was Kathy's program from the beginning. All of its success is hers, not mine. The program has been running for one year. Have any of you ever had a hint of what I just told you? Of course not! I was enjoying the limelight, so I sure wouldn't talk! That leaves Kathy. Politics is often a game of leaks and planted stories. Never with Kathy! She is the most loyal, dedicated and effective public servant I have ever met or heard about. Ladies and gentlemen, Kathy Smith represents the true essence and meaning of the term, public servant, that is all too seldom seen. I am proud, ladies and gentlemen! She comes from the great tradition of service in Virginia: George Washington, the Lees, and the founder of her recent school, Thomas Jefferson. Personally, I think Mr. Jefferson is very proud right now. "I have been honored to be associated with this woman. You know, you hear a lot about women's lib: how men won't give them a chance, and all the things men have and women haven't. Some of you may not have noticed, but Kathy Smith is a woman. She is a beautiful woman. And look what she has done in just one year. There's one more thing. In the year she has been in the job, she has been paid $17,500. Kathy Smith is the biggest bargain in the history of government! My God! Did we ever get our money's worth! Thank you!" At this emotional moment, with tears running down his cheeks, he turned to Kathy. Tears were in her eyes as well. He embraced her, while strobe lights flashed like continual lightning and the TV cameras recorded it on film. The TV news people, normally glib with instant analysis, were stunned into silence. The shock of Kathy's resignation was coupled with Mahoney's public announcement giving her credit for the entire program. The press was in a turmoil as Kathy clung to Peter and whispered, "Why did you do it Peter? I don't want the credit." He whispered, "I know that, but you earned it." They faced the press. "Kathy," a TV anchor asked, "I won't ask why. I will say -- and I think I'm speaking for everyone else here, and throughout Tidewater -- please stay. We need you!" Kathy stood up straight with her head high facing the press the way she always did. Except tears were pouring down her cheeks. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you! I'm sorry I cannot stay in this position. Before I leave, however, I want to thank you for all your support over the last year which helped make our success possible. Thank you for the many personal and professional courtesies extended to me." She tried to smile and almost made it. "Thanks to the photographers and cameramen who kept me from looking like a witch. Thanks to the reporters and news people who kept me from sounding like a fool. Thank you all, very much! Good bye!" A policeman, tears blurring his eyes, helped Kathy off the stage. She needed the help because tears were blinding her. The cheers and applause were ringing in her ears. * * * She cleaned out her desk and put the material in a box. She told Pete she would pick it up on Monday if it was all right. He kissed her softly. "Keep in touch, kid. We'll still be here." Kathy couldn't face her apartment right now. She didn't want to watch what would be on TV. She decided to swing by Charley's. -- +--------------' Story submission `-+-' Moderator contact `------------+ | story-submit@qz.little-neck.ny.us | story-admin@qz.little-neck.ny.us | | Archive site +--------------------+------------------+ Newsgroup FAQ | <http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/><http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/faq.html>