Off to the side, Serra held her breath as she watched our exchange. Then, she approached without emotion. "They're ready."

Mayor Townsend looked into my eyes. "Shall we?" It was his silent understanding of what I was telling him. He might have had my ear, but my decisions would ultimately be my own.

We walked out together, and cameras started flashing as we stepped in front of the barrage of reporters who quickly descended upon us.

"Mayor Townsend, what does it ...