Dead Edge

by Jack Ford

  ‘I’d call it section 110 of Article III of the Constitution of the United States.’

  Chuck said, ‘You’re really serious, aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes, I am.’

  ‘Less than thirty people in the history of the US have had treason charges brought against them.’

  ‘Then we can add you to that list. The legalities around section 110 might seem arcane but I know treason when I see it,’ Woods said.

  ‘If I remember rightly, Section 110 of Article III says treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them… That’s not even close to who I am and what I do.’

  Woods gave a bemused smile. ‘But it also says, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort… I think that’s exactly what you’ve done, Chuck, by releasing a high value terrorist who was never on the table. By that action, you have given Bin Hamad’s group aid and comfort.’

  ‘Mr President, I reiterate what I said before, I was just doing my job. We have to win this war on terror, and we can’t do that by just killing our way to victory. We have to be cleverer than that, which means covert operations and doing deals with people we’d maybe rather not do deals with. The CIA have always run covert operations.’

  ‘Which the executive branch and select members of Congress should know about.’

  Disdain carved Chuck’s words. ‘Then it wouldn’t really be covert, would it?’

  ‘Damn it, Chuck, you are not a one-man army.’

  ‘Sometimes I feel I am. With respect, Mr President, you have continually undermined what the CTC has to do. If anybody aids and comforts the terrorist, I’d say that was you.’

  Coldly, Woods said, ‘You’re not helping yourself here.’

  ‘You’re right, I’m not, but then I’m not here to do that. I’m not looking out for number one. So whatever it is you want to throw at me, go ahead. Whatever it is you want to accuse me of, I’m listening, and I’ll also take whatever consequences come with that, but what I won’t accept is you and those around you thinking that I was doing anything but serve this country. Five years ago there was an order signed by the office of Legal Counsel that legally authorized the CIA to do and strike as they saw fit.’

  Woods pointed, his hand shaking with anger. ‘And since I came into office that’s been revised! As is how we go about collecting intelligence and dealing with terrorism. You have manipulated and interpreted extensions of the old laws to authorize new operations and deals with enemies of the United States.’

  Chuck yawned. ‘Oh please, the hypocrisy is painful to hear. In one hand you’re carrying the liberalism torch and in the other hand there are the flames of an Orwellian government.’

  ‘That’s absurd.’

  ‘Correct me if I’m wrong, Mr President, but every Tuesday you and I attend, along with a dozen security officials, a counterterrorism meeting, something your aides jokingly call Terror Tuesday. And there, along with the CIA, you go through photographs of terrorists like we’re all playing a game of baseball cards. And then you decide which name is going to be on the kill list that week. In that meeting, Mr President, you not only have the power of the accuser, judge and jury, but also the executioner. Now tell me that isn’t Orwellian.’

  Woods managed to regain his composure, as cool and as calm as Chuck had been earlier. ‘None of what you’ve just said changes anything. And you do realize that after this meeting, the CIA will be officially suspending you from all your duties, which Brent Miller will oversee?’

  Chuck shook his head. Looked at Brent. ‘Will he now? That is interesting.’ Then with a contemptuous smile, added, ‘Then throw the book at me. Hell, I’m willing to catch it. Do what you have to do… By the way, have you spoken to Senator Rubins?’

  Woods feigned innocence. ‘We wanted to see what you had to say first.’

  ‘Okay, well I’ve said what I’ve said, and now you know. But I will say it all just feels like red tape to me.’

  ‘Red tape? The only way this country sets itself apart from countries which are led by dictators is by the rule of law, not by the rule of man… Tell me, Chuck, where is he?’

  ‘Who?’

  The composure went straight back out. ‘Who? Why, SpongeBob of course… For God’s sake, Chuck, who the hell do you think I mean?’

  He smiled as he answered. ‘I take it you’re talking about Bin Hamad?’

  ‘Too Goddamn right I am. So come on. Where is he?’

  ‘I have no idea.’

  ‘Jesus Christ, Chuck, the man could be anywhere, planning any kind of attacks. How the hell can you have no idea where a major terrorist is?’

  ‘I just don’t,’ Chuck said.

  ‘You’re lying.’

  ‘I’m not. He was released and picked up by a speedboat, anything further I don’t know… You want me to take a polygraph test, I will. Not a problem.’

  ‘Chuck, you and I both understand very clearly that in your position you know how to pass a polygraph test with flying colors.’

  ‘Then it’s a bit of a stalemate isn’t it? But that’s what happens sometimes when you play chess, isn’t it?’

  *

  With the meeting finished and Chuck gone, Brent Miller managed to say, ‘Mr President, I’m curious, why you didn’t tell him about the evidence we’ve got against him?’

  Watching one of the White House cats stalking a bird on the lawn, Woods slowly said, ‘We don’t know how and if we might need him yet. I have to think… But Chuck’s right on one thing: this is one hell of a game of chess.’

  SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

  USA

  92

  Bh5 Ra1

  ‘I haven’t heard anything back. The last time I spoke to him he said things were still under negotiation, and he couldn’t say anything more but he’d be in touch. That was over a week ago, and now he’s not even answering his Goddamn calls. I’ve a mind to go down there. If it wasn’t for us, they wouldn’t know anything about it, but now he’s shutting me out. The man’s got a Goddamn nerve.’

  ‘Pass me that will you, Tom?’ Maddie calmly gestured to the lead rein as she saddled up Cora’s new pony in the outdoor horse arena, under the Arizona sun.

  ‘She still need that?’

  ‘No, but I do.’

  ‘She’ll be fine, she’s a born horsewoman… So, what do you think?’

  ‘I think she thinks she can ride just like her Daddy, and she’s not interested in taking it easy or listening to me.’

  Cooper gave a small smile. ‘I’m talking about the Senator.’

  ‘Well, maybe things aren’t sorted out yet.’

  Cooper raised his voice. Kept it up there. ‘What things? Jesus Christ, Maddie, there isn’t anything to sort out. They don’t give a damn about those kids, and probably they’re making some Goddamn deal with the Qataris as we speak.’

  ‘Then maybe you should’ve told the Senator, or even given the Senator, that USB key. At least that way if we’re right, they’d know where Bin Hamad was… Maybe that’s what’s slowing them down. Ever thought about that?’

  ‘Chuck probably knows where Bin Hamad is.’

  Maddie looked up. ‘Yeah, he may do, but he may not. And even if he does, who knows what the guy will say? He’ll be doing everything he can to save himself. You just need to tell them about Burkina Faso.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Because I don’t trust them.’

  Maddie looked at Cooper curiously. ‘Tom, what are you talking about?’

  ‘Nothing, just… Look, I’m going to go over there. Try to get the evidence we need.’

  ‘No you’re not! It ends here. We did what we had to and we handed what we knew over to the Senator, who’s taken it to the appropriate people. We can’t do any more.’

  Cooper stepped in inches away from Maddie. Bent down to her face. ‘Honey, there’s always more.’

  Barging past Cooper, and tying Narnia’s reins to the fence, Maddie shook her head.
<
br />   ‘Burkina Faso. Hear those words, Tom? Don’t they ring a bell to you?’

  ‘The only thing that rings a bell is the fact those kids have no one else but us. Jesus, Maddie, I’m not stupid, I’m going to try to get the evidence we need, and once we’ve got that then we, this country, will have to do something about it.’

  ‘No they won’t. And they don’t. Not always. Everything is so politically weighed up and balanced.’

  ‘I love you Maddie, but please don’t lecture me.’

  ‘Well, somebody has to. You’re idealistic, Tom. And in one way that’s a beautiful thing, but I’m a realist and I know even when kids are dying, if it doesn’t suit their purposes to go in, governments don’t.’

  ‘So we just sit back and watch the horrors unfold?’

  ‘Tragically, yes. Think most recently. Syria. Aleppo… Don’t you see, Tom?’

  Passionately, Cooper said, ‘What I see is those kids need us to do something.’

  ‘Tom, come on, don’t be…’

  ‘Dramatic? Is that what you were going to say?’

  ‘No, it wasn’t actually. But Tom, why do you do this?’

  ‘Why do I do this? Me? What am I doing, Maddison? I know I’ve been a jack-ass recently but this is different. Because when did wanting to save those kids all of a sudden become a crime?’

  ‘Of course it’s not.’

  ‘What is though is the whole world looking on. Tragedy after tragedy and all anybody does is say what a real shame that is, before they forget all about it and get on with their lives. But I can’t forget it. Neither can I save the whole world. But I can do something about it. Like getting more evidence.’

  ‘No, like telling the Senator where Bin Hamad is.’

  ‘You just don’t understand, do you? Oh brilliant, here comes lover-boy… Count me out of here… I’ll be leaving on Wednesday.’

  ‘No! Tom! Wait! Just come back.’

  Rosedale lifted his hat in greeting. ‘Good to see you, Thomas.’

  Cooper stomped past him. ‘Go to hell.’

  *

  Leaning her body against Rosedale’s, Maddie watched the cloud of dust from Cooper’s car disappear over the cactus-lined horizon.

  ‘He’s going, Rosedale.’

  ‘I guess that means so are you.’

  She turned to look up at him. ‘Are you crazy?’

  ‘No. But he is. And I know you.’

  ‘Not this time. We’re talking about Burkina Faso.’

  Lighting his cigar, Rosedale drew deeply then looked at the burning tip.

  ‘We are honey, but we’re also talking about you. Do you really think that you’re just going to stay here while Thomas jumps on a plane to Africa?’

  ‘I do. This time I do.’

  ‘Baby, how I wish that were true. Because then it’d mean I didn’t have to go either. Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno.’

  ‘Portuguese?’

  ‘Latin. And in some crazy-ass way it’s exactly what you, me and Thomas seem to be, sugar, whether I like it or not… One for all, all for one.’

  WASHINGTON, D.C.

  USA

  93

  Nfe6 Kh6

  ‘Hey, dude!’

  ‘Coop!’

  Jackson jumped up as Cooper put his head round the bedroom door, pulling him into the room for a big embrace.

  ‘It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you.’

  ‘I’ve missed you too, Coop. You’ve been off the radar.’

  ‘You got my messages though?’

  ‘I did, but it’s not the same as seeing you in person.’

  ‘Your Dad’s not about, is he?’ Cooper said.

  ‘He’s down in the West Wing, but he’s coming up soon. We’re going to shoot some pool and watch a movie later. You want me to see if he can come up now?’

  ‘No,’ said Cooper, too quickly.

  Jackson looked hurt as he sat down on the large, wooden, French-style bed. ‘What’s going on with you two? Since that day you stormed out of here, you haven’t been around. Has he done something to upset you?’

  Cooper didn’t really want to get into it with Jackson. Realized he shouldn’t even have mentioned John. ‘Why don’t we just leave it now?’

  ‘Just tell me, Coop. What can be so bad that you don’t want to see or speak to him? He keeps asking about you.’

  ‘Jackson, listen to me. I love you very much, you know that, right?’

  Sitting crossed legged on the bed, Jackson looked at Cooper warmly. ‘Yeah, and I love you, man.’

  ‘Okay, that’s all that matters then. So just leave it… For me. Please.’

  Jackson’s mouth opened at the same time the door did. ‘Great,’ said Cooper. ‘That’s all I need.’

  Beau’s smile dropped and he tilted his head to one side. ‘What are you talking about?’

  Cooper turned to Jackson. ‘Excuse me for a minute, I just need a word with Uncle Beau.’

  In the hallway of the Executive Residence, Cooper leant towards Beau. He was angry, and hell he was going to let Beau know it. He hissed a whisper. ‘Didn’t John tell you?’

  ‘Tell me what?’

  ‘You really don’t know? Jesus, that guy loves to keep a secret.’

  ‘Coop, pull yourself together, you’re starting to sound hysterical.’

  ‘Thanks, Beau, always can depend on you for a bit of TLC.’

  ‘You’re a grown man, not a child.’ Beau said.

  ‘Even when I was, I still didn’t get it, did I? Five a.m. runs when I was barely thirteen through the Missouri snows. Or how about the cold river swims, or the night treks without food or water, when all my school buddies where tucked up asleep in bed. That was your idea of TLC, was it?’

  ‘I would say it’d made a man out of you, but clearly it didn’t.’

  Cooper went to grab his Uncle but restrained himself and instead hit the wall. Hurt like hell. ‘I shouldn’t expect different from you, should I?’

  ‘Is this why you wanted a word with me so you could rake up the past?’

  ‘I know,’ said Cooper, with zero expression.

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘I know you thought it was me who wrote those letters, and I know that you hid the fact there were three skiffs. How could you do that to me, Beau?’

  ‘Jesus, Cooper, you really need to let that one go. It makes no difference how many damn skiffs there were.’

  Cooper looked at his uncle, wide-eyed. ‘No difference? To who, Beau? I always knew I saw three skiffs that day, but everyone said I was crazy. And you know what? Over the years I’ve questioned my own sanity, done things I shouldn’t have done, and either pushed people away I shouldn’t or taken them down the black hole with me. But now I know I was right and instead of it giving me peace, my sanity’s being eaten away by guilt. I should’ve never stopped searching for her, and I blame you and John for that. Your lies helped me abandon her.’

  ‘For God’s sake, get a grip. That’s not how it was.’

  ‘Save it, Beau. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear any Goddamn thing you’ve got to say… I don’t trust you as far as I could spit you. So now you need to stay out of my life. You and John. From now on, Beau, you and I are no longer… Now excuse me, I need to go and speak to Jackson.’

  *

  ‘Sorry about that.’

  Jackson looked up from the book he was reading. ‘Are you alright, Coop?’

  ‘Not really, but I will be… Look, I’m going to head off.’

  ‘But you’ve only just got here.’

  ‘I know, and I’m sorry.’

  ‘When will you be coming back?’ Jackson said.

  ‘I don’t know. I got to go away.’

  Jackson touched the angry scar on his forehead. ‘Coop, you’re frightening me now.’

  ‘I need you to look after this.’ Cooper handed Jackson the USB key. ‘It’s where I’m going.’

  ‘Coop…?’

  ‘If anything happens, t
hen you give it to your Dad. But not before.’

  ‘Happens, how?’

  ‘To me.’

  ‘Coop, whatever it is you’re doing, please don’t.’

  ‘Just tell me you’ll do that,’ Cooper said.

  ‘You know I will, I’ll do anything for you but please, Coop, don’t go. Look, man, I can’t lose you.’

  Cooper gave Jackson another hug but this time longer. Harder. He kissed him on his cheek. ‘I love you but I got to go. If I don’t, I won’t be able to live with myself.’

  SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

  USA

  94

  Be8 Ra8

  ‘No way, Maddison. Not this time, honey.’

  ‘Daddy, please. I’ve got to do this. We won’t be gone long. Cora loves being with you and Mom. It’ll be fine.’

  Marvin stood in his white cotton toweling robe, his Afro neatly tucked under a night time wave cap. ‘That baby girl in there, she needs you. She needs her Momma but for some reason her Momma just can’t see that.’

  Maddie tucked her mop of curls underneath her baseball cap. ‘Of course I can see that.’

  ‘Then stay.’

  ‘If I were a man, you wouldn’t be saying this to me.’

  ‘That’s right. I’d be knocking some sense into you instead.’

  Maddie sighed. ‘Please don’t make this harder for me. Why do you always think it’s easy for me to leave Cora? Because it’s not easy. Not one bit. I love her but I also need to do this. I wouldn’t be going if I didn’t have to. Trust me, I would far rather be staying and watching her ride Narnia. Anything but this… Look, I promise this will be the last time, Daddy. Something’s got to give, I know that, but for now, just let me go with your blessing.’

  Angrily, Marvin snapped, ‘Don’t give me that, Maddison, you just sound like that man.’

  ‘He’s got a name.’

  ‘Yeah, one I wouldn’t want to say in front of my daughter… It’s always the same, isn’t it? Always the last time with you. This will be the last time, Daddy, I promise… You know you’ve got some kind of sickness when it comes to him. Can’t let him go. You don’t need him any more, Maddison, you got Rosedale now. He’ll take care of you.’