“And you, Ms. Hunter.” He turns that piercing blue stare on me. “I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”
“Really?” I keep my voice neutral and am relieved when Bryce asks for our attention to review the next segment. It’s mainly questions for Owen, but Bryce wants us all to be prepared.
“We’re back,” Bryce says into the camera, “and joined by Senator Owen Cade. Thank you for being with us, Senator.”
“Thank you for having me,” Owen replies. I wonder if his humility is an act. Has to be. His father and brother certainly aren’t humble. Maybe he’s just the best actor of the family.
Bryce is much more solicitous with the fine senator than he was with us. Even if Owen wasn’t one of the most powerful members of the Senate, he’d still have the famous Cade pedigree on his side. That always garners attention and respect. Bryce’s opening salvos are pretty standard, inquiring about Owen’s recent votes and positions he’s known to hold on safe topics. But Beltway wouldn’t be as popular as it is if Bryce didn’t go for the jugular, and ask the questions everyone wants to know.
“And can we soon officially add presidential hopeful to your titles, Senator?” he asks cagily.
Owen laughs, his posture relaxed, and sits back in his chair. He crosses an ankle over one long leg with the same physical ease and strength as his brother.
“I’m not ruling it out,” he says. “I’m not prepared to make any announcements quite yet, though.”
“Your family has a history in politics,” Bryce continues, “but is even better known for business. Cade Energy, led by your father, and CadeCo, led by your brother, who are famously estranged from one another. Where do you fall in the spectrum of their beliefs?”
“I’m not my father or my brother.” The affable smile dissolves from Owen’s face, and I see traces of the ruthlessness his family is known for. “I represent the people of California, and have for the last ten years. My brother is, as most know, a strong proponent of clean energy and my father is in oil and gas. I believe climate change is one of the most pressing issues we face now and assuredly in the foreseeable future. However, I’m a pragmatist, and understand change doesn’t happen overnight. We are an oil-producing and dependent country. Millions of jobs are tied to fossil fuel production. I believe in responsibly transitioning this nation to less fossil fuel dependence as we cultivate green-energy solutions like wind and solar.”
“Your brother’s made quite a lot of money from these energy solutions he’s so passionate about America adopting,” Bryce says. “He was added to the Forbes list of billionaires this year. Quite convenient that the measures he recommends are the very ones that line his own pockets.”
Owen’s smile reappears. “My little brother has risked his life in places most of us barely know exist collecting data in the fight to save our planet. He’s an adventurer, a capitalist, and an overachiever, but he’s not an opportunist. An opportunist wouldn’t sign the Giving Pledge, committing half his wealth to charity over the course of his lifetime.”
“Spoken like a loyal big brother,” Bryce says wryly.
“I’m loyal to the people I care about,” Owen says. “Including the people who vote for me. I work for their interests.”
“And when the interests conflict with those of the many oil lobbyists your father employs?” Bryce asks, impressing me with his journalistic tenacity.
“I love my father,” Owen says carefully, allowing a slight smile. “But I don’t work for him.”
“Ms. Hunter,” Bryce says, jolting me by introducing my name into the conversation. “I’m interested to hear your thoughts. You’ve challenged Cade Energy over several pipeline projects through the years.”
“The ones that would cross protected grounds, yes,” I say, recovering quickly enough to respond. “So many cities in this country have been built from subterfuge and land grabs that broke treaties and promises.”
“You’ve actually stopped some of them,” Bryce says, glancing between Owen and me.
“Win some, lose some.” I turn my attention to the senator, too. “I’m curious, though, Senator Cade, to hear your thoughts about corporations stealing land for these projects. Should companies like your father’s be allowed to commandeer property that doesn’t belong to them, sacred lands, for instance, for the sake of their own interests?”
“Check my record on pipeline construction, Ms. Hunter,” Owen replies, holding my eyes in a steady stare. “On more than one occasion I’ve blocked pipelines that potentially violated a treaty with tribal leadership. I’ve actually worked with Senator Nighthorse, whom I believe you helped elect, on this and MMIW legislation.”
“MMIW?” Bryce asks. “All these acronyms. Could you clarify for the uninitiated?”
“Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women,” I say.
“Right,” Owen confirms almost gently. “I’ve worked with Senator Nighthorse and his wife, Mena, on MMIW, as well as on the issues of pay equity and criminal justice reform, which I know is of special interest to you, Ms. Allen.”
“Certainly,” Kimba says. “I’ve been following the legislative developments around reduced mandatory sentences. Great work that I hope will prove fruitful.”
Owen Cade is impressive in his own right. By the time the taping concludes, I think he’ll actually get my vote if he decides to run.
We’re taking off microphones when a knock comes on the dressing room door.
“Come in,” Kimba and I call in unison.
Owen Cade pokes his slightly tousled blond head through the door. His security detail is in t
he hall, and he stands half in, half out of the small room. “Ladies, could I have a moment?”