The Chamber of Five (3 page)

With that, those around the table clapped their hands, and Carter, with a smile, nodded, taking out another file. “Now, on to business. We have a new member, and in accordance with the laws of the Chamber, a sacrifice must be made.”

The others nodded. Kennedy smirked. I didn’t understand.

Carter smiled. “You look confused, Jason. Let me explain. When a new member of the Chamber is chosen, the tenets of the order must be proven. The first, as I’ve said, is trust. The second is sacrifice.”

The Kool-Aid came to mind. “What, you kill pigs or something?”

He laughed. “Of course not. This isn’t a cult, though procession and tradition are important for any organization. Sacrifice and leadership go hand in hand, Jason, and the lines of power
need to be maintained in our favor. That takes sacrifice, because sacrifice proves trust.”

I pointed to the file. “What’s that about?”

“It’s a file. A student file. It’s also a test for you. To prove you are a true leader. To prove that you are willing to sacrifice for the good of all.”

“What am I supposed to do with it?”

Carter leaned back, his head against the chair, his hands under his chin. “The student in that file does not belong here. It is your duty to … show him he doesn’t belong here.”

I glanced at the file, not opening it. “So I’m supposed to get this kid kicked out?”

He nodded.

“Just because he doesn’t fit in? Why? Because he’s smart?”

“No. We need brilliance.”

I slid the file back. “Why doesn’t he fit in?”

He shook his head. “You’re not understanding, Jason. He doesn’t matter. You do. And you have to prove your belief through trust and sacrifice, just like with anything else. Each person at this table, including me, was given a task to show his determination and ability to lead.”

I squirmed. “I’m not doing it.”

Carter smiled. “Sacrifice goes both ways, Jason. Even a simple soldier in our simple army needs to sacrifice to be accepted, no? He has to prove he’s worthy. This is no different. Leadership is the ability to make decisions for the good of all, and Lambert, for the good of all, needs to be kept clean. Our status is important, your future here is important, and you must show us. Though the student chosen for termination is smart, he has an extensive juvenile criminal record. He does not belong here.”

“This is bullshit.”

He studied me. “I would have expected understanding. Hasn’t your father ever grappled with decisions that may hurt a few but that benefit the majority? He’s a great man.”

I swallowed. “It’s not right.”

“Then perhaps this file”—he pointed to mine—“should be replaced with that file.” He pointed to the file I’d turned away. “Would that be good, Jason? Would your father be happy about his son being expelled from Joseph T. Lambert School for the Gifted? My God”—he rolled his eyes to the ceiling—“it would probably make the papers if it was bad enough.”

“You’re crazy.”

He laughed softly, glancing at the other members. His eyes came back to me. “Do you recall Mark Spencer from last year?”

“Yeah. He trashed Professor Downey’s math class.”

Carter sat back. “No he didn’t. Kennedy here did.” He studied a fingernail, absently picking. “I hear Mark is out of juvenile detention now. Isn’t he, Kennedy?”

Kennedy nodded, his goofy smile broad. “Yeah. His dad sent him to some private school in Idaho for fuckups,” he snickered. “Land of potatoes.”

Carter leaned forward. “See, Jason, there’s things at work here beyond your control. That’s why we need lines of power. Trust. Sacrifice. We’re a brotherhood.” He gestured to the files. “This is a proving ground, Jason, and you must prove yourself.”

“Don’t threaten me, Carter.”

He smiled. “It’s not a threat, Jason. It’s an invitation to your future.” He paused. “Every Chamber member since the beginning has had to prove himself. It’s like being in the Boy Scouts. You have to earn your Merit Badge, be initiated.” He eyed me.
“I don’t want to see you caught up on the wrong side of winning. You don’t, either.”

“It’s not fair.”

His eyes lit, intense. “Fair has nothing to do with life, and that’s what this is about. Those who believe in fair are the ones who lose.” He leaned forward, clasping his hands on the table. “Only the strongest can sacrifice the weak, because only the strongest can see what’s best for everybody. It’s our job, and we’d have chaos otherwise.” He eyed me. “I’m surprised that with your background, you’d be so ignorant.”

I stared at him, my insides squirming.

He leaned back. “I know this is difficult. It always is the first time, and I understand that. You’re a good person. We all are. But we have choices to make, and those choices can hurt sometimes.” He pointed to the file. “Bring that with you and think about it. Take some time.” His eyes glinted. “And by the way, I already sent your father a letter of congratulations about your acceptance to the Chamber.”

I looked at the file, not appreciating one bit the leverage of the letter. Carter knew how to play the game, and I was stuck. I took the file. “I do need to think about it.”

He studied me, a small smile on his face as he nodded. “I want to show you something before we adjourn. An example of sacrifice to prove trust.” He spoke to the Chamber. “We have a guest today. Michael, open the door. Our visitor should be waiting.”

As Michael rose, Carter’s eyes met mine, and the corners of his mouth turned up. Then he winked. Michael opened the door, and a girl, her hands clasped, stepped in, ducking her head timidly and looking around. She was pretty, and I recognized her
from history class last year. Carter stood, welcoming her. “Come in, Brooke. Come in.”

She walked across the room, stopping a few feet from the table. Michael took his seat. Carter sat down, speaking to her. “Thank you for coming.”

She swallowed, standing uncomfortably in the silent room. “Thank you for having me.”

Carter nodded. “And how is your mother?”

She smiled. “Fine. She’s just made partner at the law firm, and she has an eye on becoming a federal judge.”

Carter gazed at us. “Brooke’s mother is an attorney in the city. She represents congressmen and senators who find themselves bogged down with the intricacies of leadership. In fact, she represented Congressman Hinks this last year concerning his … difficulties with monogamy.” He smiled. “You know, Brooke, Mr. Weatherby here has a father in Congress.”

She smiled again, looking at me. Pretty eyes. Brown and soft, like a fawn doe. “Yes, I know.”

Carter cleared his throat. “Well, to the business at hand. I received your mother’s letter of recommendation for your election to the Leadership Group, and I was very impressed.”

Her eyes brightened. “Thank you.”

“Hoping to attend Harvard, yes?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m following in my mother’s footsteps.”

He sat back. “Wonderful. Then you’ll be happy to know you’ve been accepted into the Group. Congratulations.”

She grinned, nodding. Relief spread over her face. “Thank you so much. You don’t know—”

Carter held up his hand, stopping her. “However, there is
one last thing. The Group is here for you, Brooke. You and your future. The service it does for you will carry on far beyond this school, and you will no doubt be accepted to Harvard with the help of our backing.”

She beamed. “Thank you.”

Carter nodded. “As the Group serves you, you must serve the Group. We all have responsibilities, and occasionally those responsibilities may test us.” He glanced at me. “Isn’t that right, Jason?”

Silence.

Carter went on. “You understand this, Brooke?”

“Yes.”

He nodded again with finality. “Good. I knew you’d understand. Sometimes what we want must be sacrificed for what is best.”

She grimaced, a look of uncertainty on her face. “Well, I suppose so.”

Carter studied her. “You sound unsure, Brooke. Do you believe your mother enjoyed representing a man who cheated on his wife with a seventeen-year-old congressional page?”

She shook her head. “No. She didn’t like him at all. He was a creep.”

Carter smiled. “Of course she didn’t like him. She represented him because she knows what is best. Best for her and best for this country. The good Congressman Hinks does far outweighs the bad, and your mother sacrificed a part of herself because she understands this. We all must do these things.”

She nodded. “That’s what she told me.”

He ran his finger along the ridge of his jaw. “So you do understand.”

“Yes.”

A moment passed, then Carter slid me a glance. His voice floated softly across the room. “Unbutton your blouse, Brooke.”

I held my breath. No way. This wasn’t happening. Brooke stood with her eyes at her feet. Carter smiled. “Your mother will be so proud, Brooke. Imagine how happy she’ll be. Imagine Harvard.”

A full minute passed, silence in the Chamber. I met Carter’s eyes, and he shook his head, putting his fingers to his lips. Brooke unbuttoned the first button. Then the second. After another moment and with her eyes still on her feet, she’d opened the last one. Carter, his voice soft, spoke. “Take your blouse off, Brooke.”

I sat, transfixed, unable to do anything. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I couldn’t believe it was happening for my benefit. Carter Logan was showing me his power, and I couldn’t even breathe. My dad’s angry image flashed through my mind.

She sighed, her breath quivering, then did it. Her bare shoulders, pale and soft and defined, trembled.

“Fantastic. Now your bra.”

She hesitated, then unclasped it, letting it fall to the floor. Her breasts were full and firm. My stomach squirmed and my mind revolted against what was happening. Sickness spread through me, but I did nothing. There was a detachment. There had to be, because between my father and this school and Carter Logan, I was powerless.

Silence hammered the room like the blood pounding in my ears, and Brooke stood like a statue, her chin down, hands clasped in front of her.

Carter studied our faces one by one. Then he smiled. “That
is all. Dismissed, Brooke. And congratulations. I will be writing your mother a letter of membership. You’ll be a fantastic addition to the Group. Thank you.”

Immediately Brooke covered herself, and as she turned to leave, her eyes met mine. Pure humiliation filled them. As the door closed, Carter thrust his chin up, resting his head against the chair. “She’ll make a fine member.”

Chuckles.

Carter lowered his chin. “What did we just see, gentlemen?”

More chuckles. Steven spoke, laughing. “A whore?”

Carter turned to him. “You think so? Do you think we just saw a private little sex show from some floozy?”

Steven swallowed. “Well, she showed us her boobs.…”

“Stand up.”

Steven took a breath, then pushed his chair back and stood.

Carter looked at me. “Did you see a whore, Jason?”

“No. I saw you take advantage of her.”

Carter’s face was a rock. “What we saw was power, gentlemen. Not my power, though. What we witnessed was the power of what a person wants as opposed to what a person
needs
. She’s a good girl. A fine girl. A girl with expectations, and a girl who
understands.
” His eyes bored into me.

Steven, still standing, smirked. “A good girl? Then why …”

Carter’s face hardened. “Are you a whore, Steven?”

“Of course not. I’m …”

Carter’s jaw muscles worked under the delicate cheekbones of his face, his anger clear. “Unbutton your shirt.”

Steven stared.

Carter shrugged, meeting Steven’s eyes. “Make your decision, Steven. Now.”

Silence, then slowly Steven unbuttoned his shirt.

“Take it off.”

Steven took it off, his pudgy midsection reminding me of a frosted donut hole.

Carter went on. “Are you a whore now? Are you not standing in this Chamber just as Brooke did, and did you not call her a whore?”

He took a deep breath, his face flushed, his eyes straight ahead, staring at nothing. “Yes.”

Carter grinned. “Good. Now you see.” His eyes roamed the table, then landed on me. “We’re all whores in the idiotic and shallow way Steven sees life. Every one of us is. Every living human being has a price, and it’s just a matter of what we are willing to do to get what we need.” He looked at Steven. “Do you understand, Steven? Do you understand that you’re as much of a whore as Brooke is?”

“Yes.”

Carter nodded, all the while his eyes riveted on me. “Good. Then put your clothes on and get out of my sight.”

“I
RECEIVED A LETTER
from the president of the Chamber. Carter Logan? I know his father. You were a shoo-in for it, son.”

I looked at Dad through the bathroom mirror as I combed my hair. “Thanks.”

He nodded, standing at the door. “I had a staffer forward it to a dean at Stanford. I’ve spoken to him previously about you, and he’s impressed.”

“My grades aren’t good enough for Stanford.”

He smiled. “You’re a Weatherby. That’s enough. But it doesn’t mean you get a free ride.” His smile disappeared. “I’ve put a lot on the line for your education, Jason. Don’t screw it up. Get the grades.”

“Sure,” I said.

“Good, because if you don’t, I’m sending you to military school in Vermont. I’ve already told your mother I’m not paying
Lambert this much money unless you begin to respect the opportunity you’ve been given. Last year almost broke the camel’s back, and I’m not putting up with it this year. I will not have a misfit for a son, and I will not risk your making me the laughingstock on the Hill.” He paused. “Straight and narrow, Jason. Straight and narrow.”

“Yeah.”

He studied me, tightening his belt. “Your tie isn’t straight.”

I adjusted my tie, and he stood behind me, inspecting my suit. His neck flushed. “The jacket cuffs are short,” he grumbled, then poked his head out my bathroom door and yelled down the hall, “Tiff! Tiffany!”

Mom came bustling down the hall, her heels echoing on the hardwood. “We’re going to be late. The driver is outside.” She poked her head in the bathroom, smiling when she saw me. “You look wonderful, Jason. Wonderful.”