Shadow of Eden (49 page)

“And remember,” she added soberly, “It may hinge on Taiwan’s agreement to modify their independence demand. If they don’t, the President may not unilaterally modify his stance, in which case, we’ve effectively relinquished control of the United State’s Chinese foreign policy to Taiwan.”

Chapter 105

S
ullivan looked at the three people sitting around Resnick’s office coffee table. “I am becoming increasingly concerned about President Dixon’s mental state.” Painter and Treasury secretary Norris sat on the couch. Sullivan and Resnick sat in chairs opposite. It was an impromptu meeting Sullivan had requested as the Security Council meeting broke up. That they were all cabinet members told Resnick the nature of the meeting.

Resnick said, “It’s apparent something’s not right.”

Sullivan sighed. “I’ve known Robert for ten years. He’s earned my respect for his many strengths, but he is not the man that took office.” He spoke softly and chose his words slowly. “Under ordinary circumstances, this would be of concern, but after the meeting we just held, a crisis is imminent and we need the best mind in that office.”

“I asked Dr. Green to drop in on the President unannounced,” he continued. “I only told him that I wanted him to visit with the President and form his own opinion about how his old friend was doing. Dr. Green called me afterwards and told me he thought something was wrong, but did not know what it was without a real examination and tests.”

“Did he have any idea?” Painter asked.

“No and he was very adamant about not wanting to speculate. He did say it could be stress related, but the body movements worried him. President Dixon is understandably reluctant to visit Dr. Green’s office with the press scrutiny so, Dr. Green arranged for dinner tomorrow night at his house. He hopes to get blood samples and do a more thorough examination. Maybe we’ll have more information after that.”

“I hope so.” Resnick hated going around behind the President’s back.

Sullivan nodded slowly. “For his part, Dr. Green is worried enough to pursue a diagnosis.”

“If he does find something, what then?” Helen Norris asked.

“Depends,” Sullivan said. “Dr. Green will need to make a determination about how serious it is and an estimation of whether or not it is treatable in the short run. Depending on his findings, he will order a second opinion. If the second physician concurs that a significant disability exists, they will report to the Vice President and Cabinet. Then, if the VP and a majority of the cabinet members agree with the physician’s findings, they will go before the President pro tempore and the Speaker and ask that the President be replaced.”

“The twenty-fifth amendment,” Painter said. “I didn’t realize the part about the two doctors, though.”

“That’s the approach Congress took to get a handle on the most difficult aspect of determining presidential disability.” Sullivan said. “It’s not when a President gets shot or has a stroke; it’s the insidious loss of competence, like an FDR or a Ronald Reagan.”

Sullivan paused and looked around at the group, his voice dropping slightly. “At what point does a president lose the capacity to govern and what criteria should be applied? A secret congressional finding determined that two concurring doctors would be helpful in instructing the Cabinet about presidential competence. That’s the law, but,” he shrugged, “it’s never been implemented.”

Chapter 106

“V
alenti,” Steve exclaimed as soon as he got into the taxi, “I think my friend Dr. Walker was murdered by the same guys that tried to get me.” Steve slammed the door shut and pulled the hood off his head.

“Hold on, Doc. You sprung a leak there.” Valenti leaned forward and spoke to the driver. “Mansion Club, please.” Turning back to Steve, he inquired, “Now what’s got your engine racing?”

Steve told him his suspicions about Marty Walker’s death.

“Might have something there.” Valenti mused. He took a sip from a bottle of water. “I could get a look at the police report.”

“Valenti,” Steve began, “I think other doctors may have died unexpectedly after calling Trident. Can we find out?”

“You mean, can we find other doctors who have been killed and link them to recent calls to Trident?”

“Exactly. It’s circumstantial but it could prove pivotal.”

Valenti turned the thought over in his mind before speaking. “Possibly. Certainly if we got a DA to start looking into this thing, they could pull the resources together for something like that. We can’t possibly do it ourselves. Do you know how many calls Trident gets in a day?”

“Hundreds. Easily. But not all to the safety officer. I’m sure they have a policy of all like questions getting funneled to his office.”

“Right. Records access and the right computer nerd could make for some for interesting hunting.”

“But let’s get what we can about Marty’s death. I bet it was their guys.”

“I’m not taking that bet. Timing and mode were too coincidental, like Sheridan’s lab going up in smoke. Which reminds me.” Valenti shifted in his seat in a manner that Steve was beginning to recognize as a forerunner to bad news.

“What?”

Valenti took a long drink, draining the rest of his water bottle. He wiped his mouth. “I got a call from Detective Harmon about their investigation into Sheridan’s lab explosion.”

“Arson?”

“Yes, but that’s not why he called me. They found a work glove at the scene. It matched your DNA.”

Steve stared at Valenti. “They can’t suspect me, can they?”

“They’re not sure. Since it happened at night around midnight, you theoretically could have left your hotel and done the nefarious deed.”

“OK,” Steve replied, analyzing the ramifications. “What motive?”

“I told Harmon you were set up and he seemed to believe me, especially since they had a squad car on the scene watching the place. They’re not issuing any warrants, but when we hit town, they’re going to want to question you.”

“Well,” Steve said sarcastically, “We’ll just look forward to that, won’t we.”

“Saw an old friend,” Valenti said, changing the subject. “Reporter type, tuned into White House goings on.”

“And . . .?”

“She tells me the head man’s off his rocker.”

“Like how? What’d she say?”

Valenti waved a hand. “Like he’s not himself: mistakes, impatient, headaches, and some strange twitching. Rumor has it, his staff is scrambling to keep him out of the public eye. He did not make his weekly radio address last week.”

“Well, that fits. I wonder what his doctor is doing about it?”

“If I were him, I’d want to keep it under wraps. It would be explosive.” Valenti’s eyes lit up as he spoke, warming up to his favorite subject. “Seems unnamed sources also tell my reporter friend that China’s really pissed at the Taiwan thing. She understands that the U.S. and Taiwan have left no room for negotiation on the independence thing, which backs China into a corner. This is hot.”

“Not good, I presume.”

“Stupid, stupid.” Valenti waved his hands again. “And China’s military activity is up to a fever pitch. I think China’s gearing up for an attempt to take Taiwan by force.”

“Really?”

“Well, that’s the fun part. Conventional wisdom says they can’t.”

“Can they?”

“Well, I’m told that’s what the National Security Advisor thinks and the President apparently agrees with him. It’s right, all right, as in dead right, but it just makes China get creative. Look, what if Alaska declared independence with Russia’s backing? You’re the President and you just got told you could not win it back by force. What would you do?”

Steve thought about it a moment. “Play a surprise game.”

“And if you were Russia, would you feel complacent?”

“No way. I’d be trying to cover my ass.”

“Basically, it’s a no win for the U.S. We have nothing to gain and much to lose.”

Steve thought for a minute, digesting what Valenti had just said. “And you think the President is complacent.”

“Complacent or arrogant or both—or demented from your Eden brain rot. I just hope somebody talks him out of it.”

“Maybe we’ll find out something tonight when we speak to Castell,” Steve said, not feeling hopeful.

Valenti leaned forward and spoke to the driver. “Let us out here.”

The driver double-parked in front of a Starbucks coffee shop. Steve paid the taxi driver and slid out.

Valenti followed Steve out of the taxi and guided Steve into the Starbucks. “I’ve been here the last two hours snooping around for any sign of a problem.”

“And?” Steve asked.

“It’s been clear. Just keep your sweatshirt and hood on until we get inside the club. He handed Steve a thin nylon sack holding a bulky item. “Here, I brought you something.”

Steve took the bag, unzipped it and looked inside. He already knew what it was. “Oh, you shouldn’t have.”

“Button up and put it on, then get a cup of coffee and sit tight,” Valenti ordered. He cocked his head to the building across the street and Steve read the sign,
The Mansion Club
. I’m going to go over and again case the joint.”

“Case the joint?” Steve mocked.

“Look wise-ass, you expect me to talk like that. It’s part of the show.”

Chapter 107

R
esnick sat at her desk, her phone cradled against her ear, drumming her fingers while the Taiwan ambassador’s assistant went to get him. Suddenly, a man’s voice spoke in accented English. “Yes?” It was Zhou Lishin.

“Ambassador Zhou, this is Linda Resnick.”

“Yes, Linda,” he said pleasantly, “What can I do for you?”

“I have some disturbing news about China’s military capabilities. Recent developments point to the likelihood of China’s success in an invasion of your country.”

“No, it is not possible.” He sounded genuinely surprised.

“New intelligence, Mr. Ambassador. It is probable that we will be unable to stop it.”

“Is this true? Tell me how you know this.”

Resnick outlined the facts surrounding their new assessments. She concluded by saying, “I’ll send you a report of our findings.”

Resnick knew Taiwan had a very capable intelligence presence in China and should be able to corroborate many of the facts in the report. Their conclusions, however, might be different.

“Ambassador Zhou, after you communicate this information to your government, will you please let me know their response, especially if there are any new options your government would like to explore.”

Zhou took a long time responding. “What does your President say?”

The Taiwanese ambassador knew that the majority of President Dixon’s cabinet opposed the new arrangement with Taiwan. Dixon’s position would be a key gauge for any Taiwanese decision. Resnick wanted Dixon’s opinion left as vague as possible to let them fear the worst. Possibly they would consider backing off their bid for independence with the prospect of a successful invasion.

“I have not apprised him of the situation yet. I wanted to notify you of this change in situation as soon as possible.”

“I see.” Zhou paused before continuing. “Of course, I will take it to my government, but I would like to know your President’s recommendations first, if that is at all possible.”