Drug PROBlems?

DRug proBLEMS.

“I-” she managed.

“It’s a concern,” Chandler said without waiting for her to finish. “We had a situation last session that was similar. A judicial nominee’s daughter had a cocaine problem and the opposition used it to suggest that the nominee would be soft on drug users. It didn’t get much traction, but it was a near thing.”

Grace swallowed hard.

“Nobody wants that kind of complication on the appeals court level,” the senator said. “These days we have such thin majorities and they shift from hour to hour. Surely you understand the need for caution.”

An eighteen-wheeler rocketed by on the toll road, its slipstream buffeting the SUV.

“Lane doesn’t have a drug problem,” she said.

The senator hesitated, sighed, sipped. “Hey, it isn’t a big deal. It happens in all families and nobody’s saying it will jeopardize your nomination. The White House just wants to be sure there are no unpleasant surprises.”

“Well, I’ve just had one,” she said. “Who gave you the idea that Lane is into drugs?”

“Nobody had to. It’s kind of obvious.”

“Because he’s a teenager from La Jolla?”

“No, because he’s down in that rehab center in Ensenada,” the senator retorted.

“All Saints School is a private high school on the beach north of Ensenada. It’s one of the best prep schools on any continent. The Roman Catholic Church runs it and some of Tijuana’s finest families send their children there, as well as wealthy families from South America, Europe, and Asia. It’s not a rehab center for junkies.”

“Grace, I’m sorry if I offended you. I certainly didn’t mean to.”

“No problem, as long as everyone understands that we didn’t send Lane to All Saints because he needed a drug-free environment. Please tell your informants, whoever they might be, the truth about Lane’s school.”