‘They found Martha Graylor…’
Ellen turned her head away. ‘Oh, no,’ she said quietly.
‘They found her in her office. She’d overdosed on sleeping pills. She left a note, something about everything being too much for her, and she couldn’t go on. I’m sorry, Ellen. I know you were close.’
Ellen held her head in her hands for a few moments and bit her lip, recovering her composure.
‘OK, what about the military situation?’
‘We have you protected pretty well. General Terrell is cooperating fully. He’s moving more troops into position around Houston. You may notice a few more tanks on the streets in the next few hours. Nothing to worry about, they’re on our side. We’re flying reconnaissance missions in the area around the clock. We have a carrier and a couple of subs in the Gulf of Mexico, but they’re not showing any hostility. We’ve picked up a few coded messages and private tweets that suggest the Navy is coming over to you, if it was ever otherwise. McGarry’s not exactly supporting us yet, but there’s no evidence that he’s trying to screw us either. It may be that he knows the game is up. So I’m happy with your security, at least for now.’
‘What about Washington? What about Hessler?’
‘Same as before. They have very little support. Even Hessler’s people are having second thoughts. But the people they have on the ground are hard-core. And they still have the Sons of the Flag pinch-hitting for them outside the Capitol. They were watching the speeches on the big screen, and they were pretty enthusiastic about Wade. But it’s just noise, no movement so far. We have agents everywhere, so we’ll get a heads up if that should change. We still can’t do much about the Senate. But we do have the other members of the Court, except the Chief, of course, plus several more heads of department flying out to Houston tomorrow.’
‘So the Senate is still in trouble?’
‘Yes, Ma’am, I’m afraid so.’
‘We have overwhelming superiority, but they have the nukes, and they can make us destroy Washington to force them out.’
‘Right. We can take the White House and the Capitol back, but it’s going to be a bloodbath, and there’s no way around that.’
‘And I just promised on national television to do exactly that less than forty-eight hours from now.’
‘We agreed we had no choice, Madam President,’ Raul Gutierrez’s voice joined in.
‘Yes, we did,’ Ellen said. ‘But we’re talking about a possible civil war here, and if there’s any way to avoid a civil war, we have to find it. I’m open to suggestions. Ted, I’m assuming from what you said, the information you have, that you still have a line open into the White House?’
‘Yes. They’re keeping a phone line open for now at least, but there are no guarantees.’
‘So, there’s some hope of negotiating. Who are you talking to?’
‘Dick Latham.’
‘Has he given you any reason to think…?’
‘No. None at all. Our discussions have been strictly factual. They’re not acting like people who know they have a deadline.’
‘So, what we have to figure out,’ Ellen said, ‘is who would be the most effective negotiator in this situation – assuming they want to talk to us.’
‘My vote is for Raul,’ Lazenby replied. ‘This is a military standoff, and Raul is a military man. If anyone can convince Hessler he’s in a hopeless position, he can. My suggestion is that we shouldn’t try to deal with Wade directly. He’s a crazy man, and there’s no way he’s coming out voluntarily. But maybe we can turn his people against him. If they think it’s a lost cause, they may start to desert him.’
‘What about that, Raul?’ Ellen asked.
‘I agree there’s no point trying to get to Wade,’ Gutierrez replied. ‘But the military side is up to Hessler, and I don’t think there’s much negotiating with him. Madam President, it’s entirely possible Hessler thinks he has the advantage because they control the nukes.’
‘He would actually contemplate telling Wade to use nukes? Is he out of his mind?’
‘He’s a psychopath in uniform, Madam President, and he has to be desperate by now. Wade too. I wouldn’t put anything past them at this point. That’s why I think we have to find some way to talk to them that doesn’t come from a military position, and we have to find it quickly.’
‘Such as…?’
‘Well, it seems to me this is a constitutional issue as much as anything. Maybe Ted would have more success making overtures to Latham.’
‘I doubt it,’ Lazenby said. ‘When I talk to Latham, he sounds like he’s scared shitless. I can’t see him standing up to either Hessler or Wade.’
There was a silence.
‘I do have one suggestion,’ Gutierrez ventured tentatively.
‘Go on.’
‘It sticks in my gullet to suggest it, but if you were to offer an amnesty to all military personnel below the rank of colonel, you might get them to turn on Hessler and his henchmen. These are experienced officers. They’re not stupid people. It must have dawned on them by now that they are backing a losing horse.’
Ellen shook her head.
‘These are officers in the armed forces of the United States, Raul. They knew what they were getting into.’
‘I’m just making a suggestion, Madam President…’
‘I know.’
‘Madam President,’ Jeff broke in. ‘May I?’
‘Go ahead, Jeff.’
‘General Gutierrez, is there a way to spread the word that an amnesty might be on the cards, without the President actually saying so?’
‘You mean, spread a rumor?’
‘Right.’
‘Sure. It would be the easiest thing in the world. All we have to do is use the networking sites and drop a leak or two to the press. The CIA would pitch in and help, too. Technically, this isn’t their jurisdiction, but they’ve been itching to get involved. This would be right up their street.’
Jeff looked at Ellen, who raised her eyes to the ceiling.
‘All right,’ she said. ‘But it has to be deniable. I don’t want to commit myself to amnesties right now.’
‘Understood.’
‘All right. Back to negotiations. I don’t think we have a consensus yet.’
Kelly leaned forward in her chair.
‘Mr. Vice President, do you happen to know whether Linda Samuels is one of the Secret Service Agents who’s still in the White House?’
‘I think she is,’ Lazenby replied. ‘I have the names here. Just a moment. Yes, Linda Samuels and Gary Mills. Why do you ask?’
‘She might be a useful contact. I’ve known Linda all my life. I can’t believe she supports what Wade is doing. She has to be there just out of personal loyalty.’
‘Don’t underestimate her personal loyalty, Kelly,’ Ellen said. ‘I talked to her before she went to jail, remember?’
‘I remember, Madam President,’ Kelly replied. ‘But she and I are very close, always have been. I was thinking, I might just be able to get to her.’
Ellen thought for a moment.
‘Ted,’ she said decisively, ‘get that line into the White House patched through to the law school here, so we can use it whenever we have to. I want you to start talking to Latham as soon as possible. I’m also going to have Kelly make an approach to Agent Samuels. We’ll have two things going at once. Let’s hope one of them works.’
‘Will do,’ Lazenby said.
‘Madam President,’ Raul Gutierrez said, after a silence, ‘we have to assume at this point that negotiations may not succeed. I need your permission to finalize the plans for retaking the White House and the Capitol. And in light of the possible nuclear threat, I believe we have no option but to choose an option which is fast and decisive.’
‘How fast and decisive?’ Ellen asked nervously.
‘We can rebuild the White House,’ Gutierrez replied. ‘But we can’t rebuild one of our cities after a nuclear attack. I’m prepared to accept th
e first possibility if we can prevent the second.’
The President held her head in her hands. ‘Can you guarantee that we can prevent the second?’
There was a silence.
‘No. I believe it’s highly unlikely. Maybe even unthinkable. But I can’t guarantee it.’
‘God help us all,’ Ellen said. ‘Go ahead, Raul. Put whatever you need to in place. But nobody moves without my order.’
‘Understood, Madam President.’
‘Jeff,’ Ellen Trevathan said when Lazenby and Gutierrez had rung off, ‘make sure the television people are ready to go night and day. I need to be able to broadcast at a moment’s notice.’
‘I’ll see to it,’ Jeff said, leaving the room.
The President turned to Kelly.
‘Agent Samuels struck me as a woman of principle, Kelly. I admired the way she stuck to her guns, even if it was misguided.’
‘Yes, Ma’am, she is.’
‘I don’t know why, but I think she may hold the key to this thing. Let’s not waste any time.’
50
‘HEY, LINDA, WHAT’S going on?’ Kelly asked quietly.
The phone conversation with her friend had taken more than an hour of delicate negotiation to arrange. But now Kelly installed herself in Ken Hunt’s office with a pot of coffee. Dick Latham was designated to negotiate on behalf of Steve Wade. Before she allowed negotiations to be opened, Kelly insisted that she should be alone during the call, and that no one should listen in on or record the conversation. The White House had insisted on the same conditions.
Ellen Trevathan had returned to the hotel to rest for an hour or two, and Ken Hunt had driven home for a brief reunion with his wife.
‘Oh, much the same,’ Linda replied lightly. ‘Well, not really. How about you?’
‘I’m fine. I can’t say I like the weather too much down here in Houston. Too muggy. I’m kind of hoping I can get back to Washington before too long. Are you doing OK?’
‘Yeah, I guess. Except for Bob, but you know how that goes.’
‘Now what’s he done? Still trying to tempt you back?’
‘Not exactly. He and the bimbo have named the day. They’re planning an October wedding. Nice for them, huh?’
‘Oh, God, Linda. I’m sorry.’
‘Yeah, well, what are you going to do?’
Kelly took a sip of coffee and allowed some time to pass.
‘Yeah. We have a difficult situation here, Linda.’
‘No shit.’
‘Yeah. Maybe you and I could do something to help. What do you think?’
Linda laughed.
‘That would be something, wouldn’t it? Kelly and Linda. The old team. We always used to say we were going to change the world. Remember? When we were in college? We used to sit up all night figuring out how to put the world to rights.’
‘I remember. We solved all the world’s problems several times over.’
‘If only they’d listened to us.’
‘Right. No more war, hunger, crime. Peace and prosperity for the whole world.’
‘What a deal.’
‘Yeah,’ Kelly said, smiling. ‘Those were good times, Linda. I miss them.’
‘Me too.’ Linda’s voice sounded sad. ‘That was before we got involved in all this shit.’
Kelly took a deep breath.
‘What if we could just help to save America? That would be a pretty good start, wouldn’t it?’
Linda sniffed.
‘We were college kids, Kelly. It was all so simple back then. I don’t even remember what we thought the answer was.’
‘Neither do I. But perhaps we could work it out again.’
‘I’m not sure there are any answers, Kelly.’
‘There might be. It’s worth a shot, isn’t it? What if we could get together? Do you think we might be able to work something out?’
Kelly heard Linda give a deep sigh. ‘Get together?’
‘Yeah. Why not?’
Linda hesitated.
‘Kelly, is this an official approach? I mean, from Trevathan?’
‘I have authorization, yes. But it’s still between the two of us.’
‘I’m only authorized to speak to you over the phone.’
Kelly planted her feet firmly on the floor. The time had come for the part of her strategy she had not confided to the President. She felt her stomach tie itself in knots.
‘I know. But I think it would be better face to face, Linda, just like in the old days, sit down together, work things out.’
‘I don’t know how we could do that, Kelly. I can’t leave the President. Gary Mills and I are the only agents he has left to protect him.’
‘Fine, so get me in there. I’ll come to you.’
As she said it, Kelly raised her eyes to the ceiling. There was a long silence.
‘Jesus, Kelly, I don’t know how I could do that. The White House is under military command now, and I’m right at the bottom of the food chain.’
‘I assume the White House is ultimately under Steve Wade’s command. Isn’t it? I mean, as far as you’re concerned, he’s still the President, right?’
‘Yes, he is.’
‘So he gets to decide who gets into the White House and who doesn’t. You’re close enough to him to have his ear. Why don’t you run it by him?’
‘You’re suggesting I should go to the President, and say I want a visit from an old friend, to talk over old times, and would it be OK for her to come to the White House?’
‘No. I’m suggesting you tell him that the Acting Director of the FBI has asked for a meeting to discuss the situation before the deadline expires.’
Linda gave a little squeal of delight. Kelly smiled. Just for a moment, she had heard the Linda she had always known. Just for a moment, she had dropped her guard. Linda was genuinely pleased for her.
‘Kelly, you’re Acting Director? Way to go, girl. When did this happen?’
‘Lazenby conferred it on me just as I was about to leave for Houston. I haven’t had much time to think about it. But I do have official status, and I do have President Trevathan’s authority to negotiate. It’s a chance, Linda. Things are going to get seriously out of control before long. There’ll be nothing either one of us can do then. If there’s anything we can do, now is the time to do it. All I’m asking for is the chance to talk.’
Linda hesitated. ‘I can’t give him up, Kelly. He’s my President.’
‘I’m not asking you to give him up, Linda. He’s going to have to make that decision for himself. All I’m asking for is the opportunity to talk. Me and one agent, Jeff, probably. No one else.’
‘How is Jeff? You guys doing OK?’
‘Yeah, we’re doing fine.’
‘You always were the lucky one.’
Kelly grinned. ‘Hey, I gave you a chance, remember? When we were at the D.C. Police Headquarters that time. You were the one who said ‘no’.’
‘One of the many fine decisions I’ve made about my life.’
‘You’ve made a lot of very fine decisions in your life, Linda, and don’t you ever forget that.’
‘Yeah, well…’
‘So, what do you say, girl? Shall we give it a try?’
It was some time before Linda replied.
‘I’ll do my best to speak to the President and Mr. Latham about it, Kelly. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll get back to you.’
‘You’re doing the right thing, Linda. Thanks.’
‘Sure. Love you.’
‘Love you.’
* * *
Kelly hung up the phone, got to her feet, and walked slowly into the anteroom to the dean’s office, where Jeff was waiting for her, reclining on a sofa with his eyes closed. As she closed the office door gently behind her, he opened his eyes, and sat up.
‘How did it go?’ he asked.
‘I got to first base,’ Kelly replied. ‘She’s going to try.’
‘OK. So, now what? You want to report to th
e President?’
‘No. Let her rest for a while. We’ll tell her when we get a definite response one way or the other. Did you work on the arrangements?’
‘Yes. General Gutierrez has his personal plane standing by at Ellington Field with an escort. We’re all set for the flight into Andrews, and from there we’ll have an Air Force helicopter available. We can set it down on the White House landing pad. That should mean we don’t have to worry about the crowd outside, just the Marines inside.’
‘Great, Jeff. How about Justice Finnis?’
‘Waiting for us over at the hotel. You want to go see him now?’
‘You have the paperwork?’
‘Got it.’
‘OK. Let’s go.’
Despite the late hour, and the sense of urgency she felt, Kelly could find energy only for a slow pace as she and Jeff strolled hand-in-hand along the short city blocks from South Texas College of Law to the Four Seasons Hotel. Light rain was falling, but after so many hours spent inside the law school, they found it refreshing, and gave no thought to opening an umbrella. There were no longer any ordinary guests at the Four Seasons. The manager had relocated those who were there when the crisis broke to other hotels in the city. An armored personnel carrier stood guard outside the main entrance and uniformed military police officers were stationed at either side of the entrance, providing a stark contrast to the uniforms of the regular doormen. Kelly and Jeff presented their identification, were admitted, and made their way through the lobby to the bank of elevators. They rode in silence to the eighteenth floor, then walked the short distance to the room where United States Supreme Court Associate Justice, Jeremy Finnis, was in temporary residence. The Justice was expecting them. Although it was now well after midnight, he was dressed in a suit and tie. Despite his small stature, Justice Finnis had an imposing presence which fully supported his reputation as one of the country’s leading legal minds. Opening the door, he graciously ushered them into the living room of his suite.
‘Well, Madam Director,’ he smiled at Kelly, ‘this is a rather unusual request. I never thought I would be asked to issue warrants. That normally happens at a rather lower level.’
‘Yes, Mr. Justice,’ Kelly replied, returning the smile, ‘but these are unusual times.’
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