by Jerry Bruce
“Oh, I can definitely say that I’m enjoying being back. The problem is finding enough extra time to get back into the swing of the nightlife. Veronica has been pestering me to take more time off so we can go to more Broadway shows. And of course, all our old friends are trying to get us to spend more time with them. Veronica has already told me that we will be spending several weekends this summer in the Hamptons with one of her sisters. I don’t think she understands the logic that if I was busy trying to run the United States, then I would be even busier trying to run the world!”
Stephen couldn’t help but laugh at Richard’s dilemma. “I don’t envy you one bit, believe me. I thought I was driving myself hard when I was leading those projects of yours, but now I don’t see too much of the light of day. If my offices were on the interior of this building, I wouldn’t have a clue if it were night or day. As it is, in the evening I lose track of time. Once I phoned one of my aides over some trivial matter only to find out that it was two in the morning. Needless to say I don’t have a very happy staff!”
“As the song goes, welcome to my world. Stephen, I was thinking that we should plan on getting together one of these days. You know, have a nice lunch and spend some time talking.” Richard was hoping to set something up in the near future.
“I’m all for that. Did you have something in particular you wanted to discuss or just talk about the good ole days?”
“Just some casual time between old friends. Of course if there is an issue or two that you would like to talk about, I would be receptive.”
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than spend time with my ole friend Richard. You know, I just thought of something, would it be possible for you and Veronica to come to Camp David for a day or two? I know you two loved the place and Elizabeth and I have been procrastinating about spending a weekend there. What do you think of that idea?”
“I love it and I’m certain that Veronica would also. Should we pick a date now?”
“Sure, why not.” Stephen started flipping through his calendar looking for an open weekend. “Let me see, I think I can shuffle a few things around and make arrangements for the second weekend of next month, how about you?”
“I do have one thing planned, but I don’t see any reason why I can’t reschedule that particular appointment. I will have to check with Ronnie to make sure she hasn’t planned anything. I’ll check with her and get back to you tomorrow. Is that okay with you?” Richard actually had a fairly busy schedule that weekend, but decided that this was far more important and everything else could wait. He was also going to insist that Veronica drop any plans she might have as well. This time with Stephen was too important to postpone.
“That sounds good to me. I don’t have any notes about the first lady having any plans but I still better verify that with her just to make sure. I’ll talk to you tomorrow Richard. Bye now.”
“Take care my friend.”
Richard was glad that they would be able to talk in only a few weeks time. Camp David would be the perfect place, relaxed and laid back; Stephen would be more susceptible to opening up and possibly divulging any information he may have regarding the Controller. Already Richard felt like he had scored the first points in the game. He wouldn’t be playing on his home court but at least he would be in an arena where he had many successes.
Stephen leaned back his chair as far as it would go and fixed his gaze upon the ceiling, deep in thought about his conversation with Richard. He was relieved that Richard had called him. He’d been dreading making a call to Richard for quite some time but, as luck would have it, Richard made the first move. Camp David would be the ideal spot for him to confront Richard. He had a lot of unanswered questions that he needed to get resolved—the sooner, the better. Stephen couldn’t help but wonder if Richard’s call was as spontaneous as it seemed or if he also had a hidden agenda. In a few weeks he would find out if their meeting would be a curse or a blessing.
* * *
Richard contacted Stephen and confirmed the date of the Camp David visit. He had Veronica cancel her plans to attend a Saturday evening charity fundraiser, telling her he needed to discuss the United States role in the new world government with Stephen. He hoped this excuse would be satisfactory and not raise any red flags that might cause her to contact the Controller.
Since he didn’t have a chance to ask the Controller if Veronica was aware of his knowledge of her entanglement, the only safe thing to do was assume that the Controller had informed her. Richard thought that once the secret was out she would approach him, but her silence on the matter led him to believe that the Controller may have been toying with both of them. Either way, he knew that his relationship with Veronica was never going to be the same—all trust had vanished.
* * *
Richard spent the days before his Camp David visit wrapping up as many affairs as possible to avoid having to cut short his visit with Stephen. He also dedicated a great deal of time laying out a strategy that might get Stephen to open up to him and reveal any relationship he might have with the Controller. Stephen was going to be the first political figure that Richard put under the microscope, his guinea pig, with many others following in Stephen’s wake. Richard’s list was long and growing longer with every passing day.
After much thought, Richard convinced himself that the solution to overthrowing the Controller would be dependent upon neutralizing his “followers.” With that in mind, he put together a list of those individuals he suspected of being under the Controller’s influence which in turn led to a list of friends known to be associated with the person in question. His plan was to systematically approach each individual and attempt to determine if they knew of the Controller, and worse still, if they were involved with him. Once he determined where they stood he would formulate a strategy for dealing with them. His primary concern was approaching them in a manner that would not be threatening or alarming. He couldn’t risk having them alert the Controller. However, before he could concern himself with them, he had to first deal with Stephen Hamilton.
* * *
It was the first warm day that spring had offered, coming all too close to the beginning of summer to suit Richard. Even though he knew that summer in New York City could be outlandish at times, he still wished it would hurry up and arrive. The brief exposure to the sun’s rays warmed Richard’s spirits causing him to walk slower than usual as he made his way from the limousine to the Gulfstream IV. He had offered Veronica his right arm, a surprisingly rare exhibit of closeness in Veronica’s eyes, but of no significance to himself. Richard had requested that Stephen keep their visit as low-key as possible. He insisted that he and Veronica would go by private jet to Dulles airport and from there by private helicopter to Camp David and meet the first family there instead of first going to the White House.
Richard didn’t want to give the press the idea that this was an official visit. Word would get out soon enough, and they would downplay the visit’s significance saying that it was merely a coming together of two old friends. As it was, Richard was uncomfortable with the size of the entourage that always had to accompany him. He thought the number of individuals was purposely inflated so as not to be outdone by the U.S. president’s security team. He noticed that the twelve-passenger jet didn’t have any empty seats.
In his new role Richard found it hard to distance himself from the concept of America first, the rest of the world second. He knew that given enough time, he would make the transition; but for now it was an effort for him to check his patriotism at the door.
The just over two-hundred-mile flight didn’t give Richard much opportunity to ponder what he was going to say to Stephen. Just as well, Richard thought to himself, I don’t want it to sound rehearsed.
Veronica tried to initiate some small talk but Richard responded in one-word answers, if he responded at all, and didn’t once turn away his gaze from the airplane’s window. Later he would apologize to her for his coolness, explaining it away as be
ing distracted by the topics he was going to be discussing with Stephen. She, of course, knew better.
* * *
Elizabeth and Stephen waited until the helicopter’s blades came to a complete stop before they approached to greet Richard and Veronica with handshakes, hugs and kisses. As the women walked arm-in-arm towards the Laurel cabin, Stephen put his hand on Richard’s shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze while saying how glad he was that they could get together.
“We have a lot to talk about, Richard.” Stephen seemed elated that Richard had finally arrived.
“We sure do. You’re going to have to fill me in on the latest gossip in Washington. I’m out of the loop now.” Richard flashed a grin at Stephen.
“Why I’d be happy to, you don’t know the half of what’s been going on around the Capital since you left. All of it for the good, I might add, well, maybe not all. There are always those who will never be satisfied with anything. But enough of that, let’s go have some lunch and a drink or two, shall we?”
“Lead me to the water trough!”
“You sure you’re not from Texas?” Stephen gave Richard a firm slap on the back as he flashed him a toothy smile.
* * *
Richard and Stephen decided to take a stroll after lunch so they could talk while working off some of the rich blueberry cheesecake they had for dessert. They had each partaken of three cocktails over the last couple of hours and were glad to be walking away from the liquor source so they could clear their heads.
As they walked along a path through the densely forested acreage that comprised Camp David, the conversation was light and non-political. Richard couldn’t stop his mind from wandering and had flashbacks to happier times when he would take similar walks with Veronica. They were never closer than when they were alone at the camp and could make time for themselves away from the media. He suddenly realized how much he missed the picnics Veronica would arrange when he and Randall went to the stream to fish and she and Jennifer would show up at lunchtime to surprise them. Those were happier times that would never be repeated.
Stephen had been talking, but it was merely a murmur in the back of Richard’s mind until the tone of Stephen’s voice suddenly changed, giving his words a level of severity that warranted attention. Richard had no idea that Stephen was also planning a confrontation; it took him by surprise when Stephen resurrected an old topic.
“Richard, there is something that I would like to ask you.” Stephen’s relaxed demeanor suddenly turned serious and he exuded concern.
“What’s bothering you Stephen?” Richard could feel the intensity of the moment.
“Remember back when we were campaigning for our first election?”
“Sure, those were some of the best times we had, when we were developing our friendship.”
Stephen purposely ignored the response lest he lose his train of thought. “Well, do you remember how we were concerned about the way various factions were shifting their loyalties from our opponents over to us?”
“I remember. What about it?” Richard sensed where this was going and could see that his window of opportunity to confront Stephen may have just opened.
“Richard, I have reason to believe that the person responsible for that support was the recipient of special favors from the Oval Office while you were president. Are you in a position to deny these allegations?” Stephen had rehearsed what he was going to say to Richard and decided that the point blank approach would be best, that way he could read Richard’s face and eyes to see if there was an immediate reaction that might give him a clue where Richard stood. To Stephen’s surprise, Richard remained relaxed and calm, hardly the reaction he expected.
“Before I answer that question, allow me the opportunity to ask you something.” Richard emphasized the ‘you’. “Is it true that you are involved with an individual who is looking over your shoulder and guiding your every move?” Richard decided “the best defense is a good offense” was the proper strategy to employ.
“That’s preposterous! I am not answering to anyone for my actions and I’m certainly not taking orders from anyone.” Stephen actually sounded hurt that Richard could even insinuate such a thing.
Richard could see how upset Stephen was and believed that it was a genuine reaction to being accused of something for which he was innocent. “So you are denying that there is anyone or anything that is determining how you perform your job?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. And I am deeply hurt that you would even consider me guilty of such digression.” Stephen had to make a conscious effort to unclench his fists before he took a swing at Richard. “I can’t believe that you could even entertain such an idea.” Stephen turned away as if to return back to the cabins, took one step, turned back around and faced Richard. “Unless of course, you are guilty of it yourself.” He was going to say something further but Richard cut him off.
“Believe me, Stephen, I hated the thought of confronting you with this more than you could ever know. I value our friendship above everything else. I’ll make a deal with you; you tell me everything you know or suspect and I will tell you everything that I know.” Richard hoped that Stephen would accept the deal, not just so he could learn more information about the Controller, but so that he could finally tell someone about the roller coaster he had been riding.
“Okay. I’ll tell you everything I’ve heard. But whether or not we can continue to be friends will depend upon what you tell me.”
“Fair enough, Stephen. Just remember one thing, you also accused me of collaboration and I should be just as hurt as you.”
“Richard, I was told by a fairly reliable source that the individual who helped us get elected was also the same person who gave us the scientific breakthroughs that we implemented. This same individual was believed to be currying favors from you in return. What favors, I don’t know, just that there were special considerations given. And one other thing, and I think this is the most significant—he is reportedly the person behind the Israeli attack on our embassy in Cairo. There you have it, that’s the full extent of my knowledge. I wish I knew more, but I don’t. Now it’s your turn.”
“Before I begin, let me ask you one more thing. What do you make of this? What is your reading?”
“I’m not sure what to think. Clearly if any favors were granted, they were either of little significance or cleverly hidden from scrutiny. If anyone in the opposition had wind of this, they would have been all over it like white on rice.”
“Okay Stephen, let’s go back and make ourselves some stiff drinks. I guarantee you are going to need a lot of booze to get through what I’m going to tell you.”
Richard had made up his mind about trusting Stephen.
* * *
The walk gave both men a chance to reflect back upon the early days of their relationship. Neither man spoke until they were safely ensconced in Stephen’s office.
“All right, we have our drinks in hand, so let’s have it.” Stephen, being a fairly tall and hefty man, sank into the armchair across from the couch where Richard had chosen to sit.
“First of all, when was the last time this room had an electronic surveillance sweep?”
“Jesus, Richard, what’s with you?” Stephen needed only a few seconds to see that Richard wasn’t joking but was genuinely concerned. “Just a couple of days ago. You know the routine; they always sweep all the buildings before a presidential visit.”
“Just wanted to make sure. You will see why I asked soon enough. Now then, I guess I should start at the beginning.” Richard took a big gulp from his glass and started to tell his story.
Richard could see the anguish in Stephen’s eyes as he related the details of the projects that Stephen had championed. Richard didn’t hold back, choosing to lay all his cards on the table and subject Stephen to every bitter ramification. He noticed Stephen wince when he confirmed that the Controller was responsible for the slaughter of the embassy Marines.
Pausing only w
hen they replenished their cocktails, Richard related his tale to Stephen, leaving out Veronica’s involvement. He told Stephen every gruesome detail about the Controller and his motivation. Stephen was shocked when he realized that he had been a pawn in the game the Controller was playing. He turned very morose at the thought that he had contributed to the usurping of power by this madman. It took Richard three hours and as many scotches to get through the saga. After he finished they sat in silence for about five minutes before Stephen responded.
“Richard, why didn’t you confide in me?”
“You can’t imagine how much I wanted to. I almost did at one point, but I backed off when the realization that if I got you involved it could result in harm coming to you or someone close to you. I couldn’t allow that to happen. You also have to remember that we were actually doing some good for the world, Stephen. I reasoned that since the world was benefiting from my actions that there was no need to place anyone close to me in jeopardy. Unfortunately, I never realized that there could be such a sinister plot underlying everything good that we accomplished. Had I known the final outcome, I would have never allowed any of this to happen.” Richard hung his head as if inviting the executioner’s axe.
“Don’t beat yourself up over this Richard. You may not have been able to stop any of this in the first place. At worst, you only made it a little easier for the Controller. After what you have told me, I’m convinced that he would have found someone else to assist him with the plan. You had no way of knowing what he was up to. No one short of a maniac could ever conceive of such a diabolical scheme. You were played by a master. I know that you would never do anything so sinister if you could avoid it. The question now is where do we go from here?”
“I want you to know that the reason I wanted to get together with you this weekend was to see if I could determine if you were involved with the Controller. Once I knew for certain where you stood, I knew that I would have an ally—or a foe. An ally could help me overthrow this madman.” Richard was on the edge of his seat in anticipation of Stephen making a commitment to help him oust the Controller.