The Invitation-kindle (2 page)

“Come in.”

“Good morning, Sir.”

“Hi, Tim, Come on in. Sit down.”

“Thank you.”

“I assume you’ve read the file on this Garrett character.”

“I have, Sir.”

“Any thoughts?”

“I don’t think we know enough to figure him out,” says Colby.

“I agree. So I want you to get as much information as you can on this guy.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“My opinion is he’s either a crackpot, or he has some hidden agenda. He could be ginning up interest for a tell-all book he’s writing. That wouldn’t be hard to do. You could write a lot of titillating stuff about a young man’s college days. The fact that he was a roommate with Ken Myers means a certain number of people are going to listen to ̓him. I mean, what else could it be? He’s making such ridiculous assertions.”

“What he’s saying sounds pretty outlandish,” Agent Colby says.

“It’s ridiculous. This guy is Looney Tunes. The President is some kind of 'Manchurian Candidate'. He exhibited strange behavior thirty-five years ago in college. Hell, what kid in college hasn’t?”

“It doesn’t seem to make any sense,” Colby says.

“No, it doesn’t. Unless there’s another shoe to drop.”

“Meaning, Sir?”

“Meaning there’s another possibility to consider. Ken Myers has done more than ruffle a few feathers since he’s been elected.

“There are lots of people in this town who would love to see him damaged politically.”

“You mean start a whispering campaign, false rumors.”

“Why not?”

“I suppose it’s possible.”

“Well what’s your feel for it?” Director Slaughter asks.

“I could be wrong, but I don’t think this guy Garrett is being used by others. From what we know of him, at least so far, he seems to be nonpartisan. He has basically the same politics as the President. He’s a liberal, but he’s not an activist.”

“So, if he’s not a crank, he’s not writing a book, and he’s not a conservative plant starting rumors, then what is he?”

“I guess we’ll have to find that out, Sir.”

“He has a First Amendment right to say what he wants, but we want to make sure that’s all he’s doing.”

“I understand, Sir.”

“Has anyone ever interviewed this guy?”

“I don’t think so. We certainly haven’t.”

“Well, maybe you should talk to ̓em, and hear what he has to say. I hate to encourage ̓em,” the Director says.

“That is a risk.”

“Yeah, but with the Olympics less than two weeks away, we can’t take any chances. If he were to do anything erratic, and it became known that we knew about this guy, and didn’t check him out, it would be a scandal. Everything is political in this town. I think it’s a waste of time, but call ̓him, and set up an interview. See what he has to say.”

“I will, Sir.”

“If he agrees, do the interview at his home. It’s more discreet.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Thanks for coming in, Tim. Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will, Sir. I’ll keep you fully apprised.”

As Agent Colby leaves to take up his assignment, Mr. Slaughter sets aside the file on Phillip Garrett. His thoughts return to something he regards as a far more pressing concern. In less than two weeks opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics will begin in Miami, Florida. Chosen to host the international competition, Americans are looking forward to the games, as preparations are nearing completion. For the FBI, security for this two weeklong event is a top priority. Preoccupied with this challenge, Frank Slaughter once again mentally runs through the list of all possible contingencies. Determined to see that nothing untoward takes place during the two week international event, he tries to consider every possible threat. He sees on the table before him a copy of the summary report on the security breaches surrounding the 1996 Olympic bombing in Atlanta. It seems to look back at him like a haunting omen, giving a name to his secret worry. That name is terrorism. The director of the FBI has serious things on his mind.

Far from the hurried pulse and teeming interests of Washington, D.C., Jack Fields, a prominent, conservative Senator, is enjoying a day with family at his ranch in Oklahoma. We find him relaxing with his wife Martha, and grandchildren, expecting his friend and fellow Senator Nathan Miles for a day of fishing the following morning. Mrs. Fields pours coffee as their fifteen-year-old granddaughter Caitlan enters.

“Grandpa?”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“Can I take Traveler for a ride?”

“Did you ask your mother?”

“She said it was okay.”

“Go ahead, then. Don’t go too far. We’re havin’ supper later on.”

“I won’t.”

“You like that horse, don’t ̓cha?”

“Mm hmm,” replies Caitlan as a knock on the door signals the entry of Senator Miles.

“Hi, Nathan.”

“Hello, Martha. How are ya?”

“Just fine. Want some coffee?”

“Please.”

“Hi, Senator Miles.”

“Hello, Caitlan, You’re gettin prettier every time I see you. How old are you now?”

“Fifteen”

“Well, that means you’re old enough to call me Uncle Nathan from now on. Alright?”

“Okay.”

“Caitlan, if you’re gunna ride, you better get goin̓,” Martha says while pouring coffee for Senator Miles.

“Okay, thank you,” Caitlan says as she exits.

“Jack, that’s one beautiful granddaughter you have.”

“Isn’t she, though?”

“Honey, I’m gunna go check on her. I’ll leave you two alone for a while,” Martha says.

“It’s good to see ya, Martha.”

“Good to see you, Nathan. You gunna bring us some fresh trout tomorrow?”

“I hope so,” he says as Martha leaves.

“Well, what’s the news in the Senate, Nathan?”

“Did you hear what Senator Thomas said?”

“No.”

“Oh, he’s hoppin̓ mad.”

“What happened?” asks Senator Fields.

“Myers is havin̓ the Pentagon go through these exercises. Well, we all thought he would collaborate, at least with the Armed Services Committee…not gunna happen. We find out yesterday he’s already started, no hearings, no input from any committees. When Senator Thomas heard that he went ballistic.”

“I guess so. That man’s been on the Armed Services Committee for over twenty years,” Senator Fields says.

“You’d think he’d be shown more respect than that.”

“What are these exercises for, anyway? Does anybody know?”

“Myers says it’s to reduce the chances of accidental nuclear war.”

“Nonsense, the Pentagon doesn’t need him meddling in their business. He’s just playin̓ at Commander in Chief. Hell, he’s not even fifty years old. What’s he know?”

“And won’t be for another, what? Three or four years.”

“He’s too inexperienced.”

“Yeah, but that’s not the worst of it. He’s pushin’ this country down a road it shouldn’t go,” says Senator Fields.

“He’s not as popular as he thinks he is.”

“He made a lot of enemies when he shook up Air Force command, puttin’ his own people in.”

“And for no good reason, none that I could see,” adds Senator Fields.

“I hear he’s goin̓ down to MacDill next week.”

“Well you know why. We have Air Force bases all over this country. Why is only goin’ to Florida? Because Florida’s an important electoral state. That’s why. Hell, he’s in full campaign mode.”

“That’s our President.”

“Oh, he’s more than that. He’s Robin Hood, Santa Claus, and Superman all wrapped up in one.  Yeah we need a new title for him. Just to call him Mr. President doesn’t do him justice,” says Senator Fields.

“I know. He thinks he hung the moon. Well, we better get used to it. He’s gunna win re-election unless something changes.”

“I hope it does. Somebody oughta find some dirt on this guy. There must be somethin’ in his past we can use, an extramarital affair, drug use, or somethin.”

“They tried that already…didn’t work,” says Senator Miles.

“Well I think he’s dangerous.”

“He’s certainly a radical.”

“And that’s dangerous, makin’ all these promises to the people. You can’t run a government that way. People get the notion that government is gunna solve all their problems. It undermines individual responsibility.”

“You think this energy bill is going to pass?” Senator Miles asks.

“You mean his latest crusade?  I hope not.”

“It’s got a lot of people worried.”

“I know.”

“I had four C.E.O.’s from utility companies in my office last week. They told me if this bill passes they’re gunna start layin’ off workers immediately,” says Senator Fields.

“I believe it. Myers doesn’t care. He wants to remake this country into what he thinks it should be.”

“Well, if he thinks that conservatives in Congress are just gunna lay down, and roll over, he’s in for a surprise.”

“I don’t know. It looks like he has the votes.”

“I don’t care how many votes he has.… Wouldn’t bother me if he just disappeared.”

“The country would be a lot better off,” says Senator Miles.

“He’s gunna give a big speech at the Olympics. Wait, and see. No other President has done that.”

“Sure, it’s for political advantage. You remember he lobbied hard for the Olympics when he was Governor of Florida. I think he was lookin’ ahead.”

“I wouldn’t put it past him. I don’t mean him any harm, but I know a lot of people who would like to see ̓him stopped.”

“Yeah, I’m one of  ̓em. Well, we’ll do what we can to slow ̓him down. Come on, Nathan. Let’s see what Martha has on the grill.”

“Sounds good.”

As two disgruntled Senators commiserate on what they see as America's final decline, the subject of their discontent remains in the nation’s capital. We find President Myers in the Oval Office, still working the phones, trying to persuade Senators to vote for the impending energy bill. As he hangs up the phone, his secretary pages him.

“General Croft is here, Sir.”

“Thank you, Helen, please send him in.”

Moments later the tall, uniform-clad Secretary of the Air Force enters, and is greeted by his Commander in Chief.

“General Croft, it’s good to see you again.”

“Thank you, Mr. President, it’s good to see you.”

“Please sit down.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“General, as you know, I’m going to Florida next week. I would like you to come with me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“With the Olympics getting started, our military will be on high alert. Let me ask you. If we were to see an incursion of our air space, what do you think our response time would be?”

“Sir, I can assure you we’d have interceptors airborne within minutes.”

“I’m sure that’s true. If something like that happened, we would need a quick, controlled response.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“That essentially means no breaks in the chain of command.”

“Absolutely.”

“There’s likely to be more air traffic during the Olympics. We need to make sure our response to any irregular flight patterns by private aircraft is appropriate. I want to reduce to an absolute minimum any chance of using deadly force, and finding out later it was a mistake.”

“Our pilots are very well trained, Sir.”

“I’m sure that’s the case, but in a situation where everyone’s on high alert people might get edgy, and possibly overreact. I’m sure you remember Korean Air Lines flight 007 in 1983.”

“I do, Sir.”

“269 people killed because a Russian pilot felt pressured to pull the trigger,”

“It was a tragedy.”

“All because a commercial airliner was misidentified.”

“Our command and control is far more disciplined, Sir.”

“I want to make sure it stays that way. That’s the message I want you to bring to our base commanders.

I'll be in Miami for the opening ceremonies at the Olympics. After you talk to our people I want you to be there with me. I don’t intend to stay long. A short speech to welcome everyone, and after that we leave.”

“Yes, Sir, whatever you say.”

“I think it would send a convincing signal that we intend to keep the area safe, that we’re on our toes.”

“Absolutely. I can assure you, Mr. President, you’ll receive complete cooperation.”

“Thank you, General. We’ll be leaving on Thursday the nineteenth. We’re scheduled for ten o'clock. I have a staff meeting around eight, but I should be done on time.”

“I’ll be ready, Sir.”

“Good, then I’ll see you on the nineteenth.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Thanks for coming in, General Croft.”

As both men rise, General Croft smartly salutes his Commander in Chief, and quickly exits. President Myers, standing alone with his thoughts, again hears his secretary’s voice.

“Sir, Mrs. Myers is here.”

“Please send her in.”

The door opens, and moments later husband, and wife affectionately greet each other with the familiar ease of marriage partners. Kenneth Myers first met his wife Carol when he was running for Governor of Florida. After hearing him speak at a campaign rally, she felt compelled to volunteer in his election effort. They were married one year after he won that campaign. His two successful terms in that office provided valuable experience for a politician with national ambitions, and for Carol, the years spent at the Governor’s mansion groomed her as well for things to come. The poise and self-confidence she shows as First Lady is largely due to the skills she learned during this period. Their loving and mutual support for each other has not only brought them closer, but has furthered the President’s political popularity as well. Together they are an effective team. Though separated by eleven years difference in age, their interests, temperament, and personalities seem to naturally complement each other.

For her part, Carol is a woman of exceptional qualities. Beyond her beauty and intelligence, she possesses an almost uncanny aptitude for the politically sensitive role of First Lady. Giving her time and effort to numerous charitable causes, she has garnered the respect of millions of Americans. Active and committed as she is, her chief concern is to support by all reasonable means the success of her husband’s political agenda. If there is one aspect of her life she could change however, it would be the addition of children. Yet, she fully accepts that other priorities must take precedence, at least for now. Knowing her husband is preoccupied with the responsibilities, and consuming details of his office, she takes care to conceal her feelings on the subject.