The Invitation-kindle (10 page)

“Or what, Senator Fields?” Senator Merrick asks.

“Or, I will blow this thing wide open. I’ll have every news organization in Washington on this story. I’m not asking for anything unreasonable. That’s all I have to say, so, I’ll see you both tomorrow. Good day, gentlemen.”

“Good day to you, Senator Fields,” Director Slaughter says.

After Senator Fields exits, Senator Merrick asks the Director, “Mr. Director, do you really think it’s a good idea to bring in the CIA?  We haven’t even spoken with the President yet.”

“If Senator Fields insists on it, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Paul Stewart is no friend of the President’s. We both know the only reason he was kept on at CIA was to placate the conservatives.”

“Senator, I just want to see this thing resolved. I have no political preference other than that. Paul Stuart is going to be here tomorrow, so we just have to accept it. So I guess I’ll see ya tomorrow morning.”

Hearing no encouraging response, Senator Merrick takes it as his cue to leave. Before doing so he curtly tells the Director, “I don’t intend to see the President of the United States railroaded here. I’ll see ya tomorrow, Mr. Director.”

Sitting alone the Director of the FBI thinks about what he might hear later today from his subordinate, Tim Colby. Knowing the reason for his trip to Florida, he is eager to hear his report. He looks again at the image on the TV screen, and sees a threatening apparition, at once mysterious, hypnotic, and possibly very dangerous, an image that has now become an obsession, and he wonders what will happen next.

Thursday afternoon, thirty-two hours before the start of the Summer Olympics, the President of the United States is in mid-flight from Washington to Miami, Florida, to brief military commanders on possible breaches of national air space during the Olympic Games. With him is the Secretary of the Air Force General Robert Croft. The two men are talking about their respective itineraries.

“So, General Croft, I‘ll be staying in Miami tonight. You’ll be going on to MacDill in Tampa to brief our people, and make sure we’re all on the same page.”

“Yes, Sir,”

“I want you back in Miami with me by tomorrow afternoon.”

“I’ll be there, Sir.”

“And I want you to maintain, at all times, open communication with our commanders. They are not, repeat not, under any circumstances to initiate any military action without your personal order.”

“Understood, Sir,”

“After you get back to Miami tomorrow, I want you to stay close to me. Opening ceremonies are supposed to start at eight. I want you with me at least an hour prior to that, just to be safe. It’s important that we keep open, secure contact with all of our people, especially air defense.”

“I understand, Sir.”

“Good. I think we’ll be okay. My wife, the Vice President, and some friends are coming in tomorrow for the starting ceremonies. Then on Sunday, we’re all back in Washington. It’ll make for a quick weekend. Thanks for your help, General.”

“My pleasure, Sir.”

As the President is speaking these words, another plane is in mid-flight traveling in the opposite direction from Florida to Washington, carrying Tim Colby, who is returning to the nation’s capital after his interview with Ron Cushman, the President’s former Chief of Staff. Believing the information he obtained from Mr. Cushman is central to questions about the President, he will upon arrival drive straight to FBI headquarters, and report directly to Director Frank Slaughter, who is expecting him.

Two flights going in opposite directions pass within fifty miles of each other and briefly appear on the same radar screen seen by air traffic monitors, who view them routinely without comment. These two unassuming radar blips quickly moving away from each other might be said to represent opposing forces that will soon collide head-on, one force inviting mankind into its future, the other, pulling backward to the familiar, and ancient reflexes of fear and aggression. In only hours, their imminent collision will alter the course of human history.

The alarm clock rings early this Friday morning for Rebecca Kearns and her husband, Congressman Steve Kearns. Today, they are both guests of the President, invited to attend the opening ceremonies at the Olympics in Miami, though in truth the freshman Congressman would prefer to stay home. The challenges and discomfort that travel imposes on a wheelchair-bound triple amputee are considerable, but at least for this trip, they will be minimized. The President has personally arranged for the couple’s needs. Still, the trip seems almost pointless, but Steve told the President that he would be there, and he intends to do that, and if Steve Kearns is going to be there, Rebecca Kearns will certainly be there, in selfless, unwavering support of her husband, as usual.

Still puzzled over exactly why the President asked them to come, she says to her husband, “I still can’t figure out why he wants you to be there.” she says, helping him into his wheelchair.

“I don’t have a clue. I know you’d rather be home, Rebecca.”

“Actually I’m kind of lookin̓ forward to this. I’ll have my camera.”

“You’re going to get some shots.”

“That’s right. As many as I can. Think how good they’ll look in our photo album.”

“I’m sure they will,” Steve says.

“So we fly to Washington, and from there we ride with the First Lady and the Vice President to Miami,” Rebecca says.

“That’s right.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying that. That’s pretty select company.”

“Then we see the President in Miami.”

“Wow, that’s pretty heady stuff,” she says.

“So we have about an hour before they get here with the van.”

“Everything is packed and ready.”

“We’ll be fine, honey. Let’s just wait for our ride,” Steve says as he touches his wife’s hand in gratitude. “Thank you for everything.”

As the Congressman and his wife prepare for their busy day of travel, another busy day is underway at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. After a complete report from his subordinate, Tim Colby, Director Slaughter has new and potentially explosive information concerning the President. Seated in his office this morning are Senators Fields and Merrick, and also CIA Director Paul Stewart, who has been apprised of all information on this case. Shown the recording of a young Ken Myers reading at incredible speed, the CIA director is at first completely taken aback. Then a palpable sense of alarm seems to slowly come over him. With eyes locked on the image of that very bizarre object on the TV screen he asks the FBI director, “You’re telling us, Mr. Director, that this thing is real. Is that right?”

“We have total confidence that it is.”

“Looks like some kind of microprocessor. And you’re saying this thing is lodged in his brain?” CIA Director Stuart asks.

“That’s right.”

“Well, where did it come from?”

“I, uh, might have something new on that,” FBI Director Slaughter says.

“Well, what is it?” Senator Fields asks.

“I had an agent go down to Florida to interview the man who use to be the Chief of Staff for Ken Myers when he was Governor of Florida. His name is Ron Cushman.”

“What did he find out?”

“Cushman said that when Ken Myers visited China during his second term as Governor, he made an unscheduled visit to a hospital in Beijing, and, uh, never said much about it afterward.”

“Well, that’s news to us, Director. Is that confirmed, or just more hearsay?” Senator Merrick asks.

“We got the information from Mr. Cushman, who we believe to be credible.”

“What did he say?” Senator Fields asks.

“Basically he said they visited Beijing for three days. They were together for two days, then Myers told Cushman to take a day off and do some sightseeing. That’s the day he went to the hospital, and apparently stayed most of the day.”

“Well isn’t that interesting,” says Senator Fields.

“So what does that mean? Are you suggesting that that’s where that thing came from?” asks Senator Merrick, pointing at the TV screen.

“I’m not saying or suggesting anything. I’m just telling you where we are in this investigation,” the FBI director says.

“I have to remind you that we have yet to have a conversation with the President about this. There could be a simple explanation for all of this,” Senator Merrick says.

“We hope there is, Senator Merrick, but we don’t know that. Do we?” asks Senator Fields.

“How can we know? We haven’t talked to him yet.”

“Well, you’ll do that on Monday, and we’ll see what he has to say,” FBI Director Slaughter says.

“I wouldn’t do that,” CIA Director Stuart says.

“You wouldn’t do what?” asks Senator Merrick.

“I wouldn’t say anything to the President.”

“Why not?”

“Because he’s the subject of the investigation. That’s why. I’ve never heard of a case where you tell the person you’re investigating what you’re doing, have you?” CIA Director Stuart asks.

“Since when did this become an investigation of the President?  I don’t remember anyone suggesting that.”

“After what we’ve seen, do you honestly expect us to do anything else?”

“You don’t have the authority to do that, Mr. Stuart, not legally.”

“I’m aware of that. I’m also aware of the possible threat that espionage might pose to our country. This is the Commander in Chief we’re talking about.”

“Mr. Stuart, you’re being very provocative. When you use a word like espionage in connection with the President you need to back it up with evidence. We don’t even know what that thing is.”

“That’s why we need to find out,” Director Slaughter says.

“And we will. We’ll do it calmly. We’ll do it rationally.”

“Let me ask you. With all the things we’ve seen here, does any of it concern you?” the CIA director asks.

“Of course it does, and we’ll get to the bottom of it, but we won’t do it your way. You want to treat the President as if he was the subject of a criminal investigation,” Senator Merrick says.

“That’s right I do. I think he should be put under surveillance immediately.”

“Well, that’s not going to happen. So forget it. Monday I’ll call the President,” Senator Merrick says.

“Maybe all of us should go to the White House on Monday. It’s going to come to that anyway,” Director Slaughter says.

“Well, we can’t stop you, but I think you’re making a mistake, and for the sake of the country, I hope you’re right,” the CIA director says.

“We’ll go and get it sorted out on Monday. If the Director of the FBI along with the chairman, and ranking member of the Senate Intelligence committee, if all three of us go there together it would set a tone of bipartisanship and cooperation.”

“What are you going to do Senator Merrick if the President refuses to cooperate, just denies everything?” CIA Director Stewart asks.

“Why would he do that?”

“The only reason would be to conceal something.”

“That’s absurd.”

“Is it? Why shouldn’t we consider that a possibility? I think we should.”

“So do I,” says Senator Fields says.

“This man doesn’t have a single blemish on either his public or private life. Look what he’s done for the country. People are optimistic. They’re hopeful about the future.”

“Is that so?  Well there are a lot of people who don’t like the direction he’s taking the country, and I’m one of ̓em,” Senator Fields says.

“Oh, I see. That’s what this is about. Isn’t it? You don’t like the President’s policies, so you’re looking for anything you can find to damage him,” says Senator Merrick.

“I never said that. Those are your words. With regard to going to the White House, I agree with Director Stuart. I think it’s a mistake. You’re in effect giving him a veto over this process.”

“We do have the trump card in this. We could go public as a last resort. Of course, that’s only if he refuses to cooperate,” FBI Director Slaughter says.

“That’s exactly what we don’t want to do. It would be a spectacle. I’m going to the White House Monday. Mr. Slaughter will you come with me? Senator Merrick asks the FBI director.

“Yes, of course I’ll go.”

“Senator Fields?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Can I ask why?”

“Why? I’ll tell ya why. Because I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, not to any President, not to any party, and certainly not to anyone whose allegiance might be in question.”

“Senator Fields, for you to suggest that the President might harbor any intentions antithetical this nation’s best interest is manifestly ludicrous.”

“Is it?”

“Yes it is.”

“Look, gentlemen, I asked you both to come in to try and keep this bipartisan. We have a problem. We’re not going to solve it by arguing with each other,” Director Slaughter says.

“I completely agree.”

“As I see it we have no choice but to talk to the President, either Monday or some other time. At some point he has to be given a chance to explain this,” the FBI director says.

“Exactly,” says Senator Merrick.

“So you’re going to tell him everything,” CIA Director Stewart says.

“That’s right.”

“And you don’t see any risk in that.”

“No Mr. Stuart, I don’t, none at all.”

“I’ll tell ya what. Let’s do this. Today is Friday. The President is in Miami for the start of the Olympics. He’s flying back to Washington on Sunday. Let’s meet again tomorrow, unless coming in on Saturday’s a problem for anyone,” the FBI director says.

“That’s fine. I’ll be here,” Senator Merrick says.

“Senator Fields?”

“What time tomorrow?”

“Some time in the afternoon, say three o’clock.”

“That sounds all right.”

“Okay, then, we’re agreed. That’ll give us time to think about it.”

After a few terse goodbyes the meeting comes to an end, and four men part company. Senator Merrick leaves first, and then Senator Fields and CIA Director Stewart leave together, and are completely silent until they are seated in Senator Fields’ car.

“Have you ever seen anything like that, Paul?”