"Everything will be clear in a moment or two, Madame President," Lyden stated. He then faced one half of the long table. "Are any of you in league with the Paladonic Knights or Daughters of Respite? Have any of you conspired to assassinate President Louise?" He was greeted to that question with a number of indignant denials.
He turned to the other half, and Shelly could see two people—one woman and one man—sweating profusely.
"President Louise," stated the woman, "this is ridiculous!" The man sweating next to her nodded with enthusiasm. "We're all loyal Americans here. It's not illegal to accept money from certain groups."
"It is if they are labelled a terrorist group," another female senator stated. "I have never accepted money, or bribes from either group."
"But surely Ambassador Snow or his witch wife has cast a spell," the sweating man said. "Nothing he says, or forces us to say, is admissible—"
