The South Lawn Plot
Page 39
Bailey's finger moved to press another button, but a stabbing pain made him withdraw his hand and grab his jaw. As it happened, the newsreader had even more to impart, details that would sow the seeds of what would become an enduring mystery.
“In a development that will be viewed as deeply ironic, the prime minister was attended at the scene by a man initially identified as an Anglican clergyman but who, according to reports just in, is in fact a Roman Catholic priest. He has been unofficially named as Father John Falsham. The priest gave the prime minister last rites, seemingly at the request of his private secretary, Peter Golding, who, though deeply shocked, was uninjured by the attacker.”
Bailey's finger struck this time, and as it did so, the phone went again.
“Yes, yes, I'm coming in,” he said before Henderson could fire off his summons.
Bailey rolled out of his bed. He felt unsteady on his feet. This was big, more than big, he thought. Big, and a lucky break for Samantha who was not on duty with Spencer's protection detail at the climactic moment, being on leave to recover from Washington.
Bailey shook his head. A headline inspired by a statement from some Oxbridge historian commenting on the constitutional mess came to mind, and not for the first time since the debacle on the White House South Lawn.
All history is recent, the headline had stated.
“And God knows so is my bleedin’ holiday,” said Bailey, reaching for his shirt.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This story has taken a while and, of necessity, it has required more than one hand to see it complete. I would like to thank my wife Lisa for her love and support from start to finish and our three children, Kate, Liz and Jack, for their patience and long unsatisfied curiosity. Well, here it is, kids!
A particular thanks to John O'Mahony for telling me at the very start that this story might actually work. Over time, the advice and encouragement of friends and colleagues has been invaluable. I would like to especially thank Joan Higgins, Isolde Motley, Bob Sloan, Peter Quinn, Terry Golway, Sean and Colum McCann, Malachy McCourt, Dan Barry, Jim Mulvaney and Barbara Fischkin. A salute to Bryian O'Dwyer for that never to be forgotten day on the lawn. Light in a president's darkest hour.
Trish O'Hare at GemmaMedia, like the cavalry of yore, timed her arrival in the process perfectly. She was quickly followed by Suzanne Heiser, whose imagination and artistry brought forward a cover that brilliantly captures the tale inside it.
A bow to John Banville, Pete Hamill, Tom Fleming and the much missed Frank McCourt. Thanks also to my colleagues over the years at the Irish Echo and a thought for those journalists and diplomats everywhere who daily strive to bring sanity and clarity to a world that sorely needs it.
Ray O'Hanlon, Ossining, New York
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RAY O'HANLON is editor of The Irish Echo, the USA's most widely read Irish American newspaper, based in New York. Over the course of a distinguished newspaper career spanning more than thirty years, he has reported from three continents and has appeared on “CBS’ 60 Minutes,” “ABC World News Tonight” and “PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.” In addition to his work as a reporter and editor, O'Hanlon is a frequent contributor to media reporting on Ireland, Irish American affairs and Anglo-Irish relations. His book, The New Irish Americans (Roberts Rinehart, 1998,) was the recipient of a Washington Irving Book Award.
A native of Dublin and a keen reader of American, Irish and British history, O'Hanlon lives with his wife Lisa and their three children in Ossining, New York.