The Third Coincidence (14 page)

chapter 23

The president and the Senate are discussing plans to fast-track the confirmations process.

—FOX News, June 11

Ms. Addiena Welch, the White House press secretary, sensed her boss would be on the ground floor nearing the situation room about now. She knew him to be a punctual man, even for press conferences.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she said, standing on her toes so as not to adjust the microphone that had been preset for the president, “a few ground rules: This press conference is limited to the president’s statement and your questions related to the recent killings of gov- ernment officials. No other subject will be discussed. A little later the president will be joined by Senators Marshall Leland and Ruth Ann Mitchell, the chairs of the Senate’s Judiciary and Banking Com- mittees, respectively, the confirming committees for nominees to the Supreme Court and the Federal Reserve Board of governors.”

She paused and blotted her forehead with a tissue. The main- tenance staff had failed again in their effort to lower the tempera- ture in the pressroom to offset the heat generated by the television lights and cameras.

There was a slight disturbance behind her. She glanced over her right shoulder and saw the president in the wings. She stepped back. President Schroeder moved into position in front of the soft blue backdrop and stood at the microphone. He drank from the glass of

104 David M. Bishop

room-temperature water left on the shelf just below the top of the lectern and began.

“Thank you for coming with so little notice. Under the circum- stances it is important that the American people hear from their gov- ernment.”

He paused and then read from a prepared document: “As you all know, we have lost three U.S. Supreme Court justices, Adam Mon- roe, Herbert Clarkson Montgomery, and Donald Quincy Breen, as well as two Federal Reserve governors, John Santee and Charles Tay- lor. All of them were good men who believed in and practiced pub- lic service. To their families, friends, and all of you, I offer my deepest, heartfelt condolences. They will be missed.”

After a somber look into the cameras, he continued reading his statement. “Their positions will be filled by other capable, patriotic men and women. We are a nation of many such individuals. The business of this government will continue. No other position is con- sistent with the strength of this country. No other position is consis- tent with the responsibilities of governance. No other position is consistent with the examples set by our forefathers, and the legacy we must leave for those who come later. I will now take your questions.” Unlike most presidents in the past, Samuel Schroeder often moved out from behind the lectern after finishing his prepared state- ment. He did so now and pointed toward the
New York Times
’s Wash-

ington correspondent. “Ms. Liotta.”

Her bleached teeth matched the white collar on her taupe blouse. “Mr. President, what’s being done to protect the eleven re- maining members of these two institutions?”

“It would be inappropriate for me or any member of the gov- ernment to reveal the security measures in place and please, ladies and gentlemen, we have to assume whoever is behind these killings listens to press conferences, watches television, listens to the radio, and reads your papers. Let’s all do what we can to catch this . . . this

. . . LW,” the president said, clearly suppressing other words he

the third coincidence 105

would rather have used. He then called on the reporter from the

Baltimore Sun,
Arthur McDonald.

“Mr. President, our observer at the Court reported that the jus- tices vacated the courthouse this morning shortly after nine. Is the Supreme Court standing down as LW has demanded?”

The president moved forward so that he was looking directly at McDonald, who was sitting in the front row.

“Your sources are reliable. The Court has a long history of re- cessing for various periods of time, for various reasons. I’m confident that tomorrow your observer will confirm that the justices have re- turned to their duties.”

President Schroeder gestured toward the
Washington Post
’s plump White House correspondent, whose constant wearing of heavy earrings had elongated her earlobes enough that some of the catty members of the press called her Dumbo.

“Mr. President, what can you tell us about the efforts to identify and stop this Commander LW and his militia?”

“As you are aware, we have assembled a multiagency task force under the leadership of Jack McCall, a special deputy to Harriet Miller, the director of Central Intelligence. Mr. McCall has a long and distinguished career as an American intelligence officer.” The president spread his hands. “I have complete faith in Jack McCall.” “Mr. President, is this LW an American Carlos—a killer extra- ordinaire?” asked the reporter from CNN
,
making reference to the

world’s most famous assassin, now in jail in Europe.

“No.” The president fixed her with a stern stare. “There’ll be no cult status for this fellow.”

Then the president pointed to Ms. Little, a local newscaster. “Mr. President, the Court is now three justices short. The Fed-

eral Reserve two governors short. It would seem the normal pace of dealing with replacements is slower than what is needed. Please tell us about your plans for processing nominees through the Senate’s confirmations committees.”

106 David M. Bishop

At that moment, Senators Marshall Leland and Ruth Ann Mitchell, whose appearance the president had expected, stepped onto the rostrum.

“You’re quite correct, Ms. Little,” the president replied. “The or- dinary course, a reasonable pace under normal conditions, is inad- equate in the current circumstance. Before dawn this morning, I met with Senators Leland and Mitchell.” The president gestured to- ward each as he said their names. “The leadership from both parties also attended that meeting. We reached unanimous agreement to fast-track the confirmations process. Let me emphasize that the nom- inees will all be worthy Americans who would graduate under the normal process. In no way will the Senate shirk its responsibility.”

For the last question, in a bold move the president selected Ellen Sherman, the newest reporter on the White House beat. Talk was, she asked incisive questions.

“Is it possible, Mr. President, that while his methods are de- plorable, Commander LW may have a valid point in light of the ab- sence of an election process for selecting these officials?”

As if an unseen hand had twisted an invisible knob, the volume in the room went quiet.

“Ms. Sherman,” the president began, “all of you, both here and listening everywhere, including LW, let me remind you that the people’s elected congressional representatives passed the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, and an elected president signed it into law. The government of the people, by the people, and for the people that LW speaks of, enacted the Federal Reserve System.

“Government does many good things. It also lives with the pres- sures of elections. Things such as lower interest rates and larger mar- gins for buying traded securities could be very tempting ways to appeal to voters. We are fortunate to have the Federal Reserve Board making those decisions independent of the vicissitudes of politics.

“As for what LW calls the ‘unelected Supreme Court,’ it is cru- cial these judges remain independent of politics, and, I might add, the Court has never exceeded its constitutional authority.

the third coincidence 107

“Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Senators Leland and Mitchell have agreed to remain to answer your questions regarding the work of their respective committees and the expedited process for confirmations. But please remember the committees chaired by these senators are very busy with this matter, so do keep your ques- tions limited.”

LW had watched the president’s press conference while eating his microwaved TV dinner. Tonight’s choice: meatloaf with mashed po- tatoes and green beans.

He had heard what he had expected, the arrogance of power. Despite his avoidance of a direct answer, the president had been ob- vious. Steps were being taken to further protect the rats he planned to fumigate out of America’s house.

He wedged the last slice of meatloaf into his small mouth with- out bothering to cut it, and then haphazardly stacked the sectioned plastic tray on top of the one from last night’s Salisbury steak, which sat balanced at an odd angle atop the one from the prior night’s southern fried chicken.

Over recent days, the press had reviewed the top choices for nomination to the Supreme Court: Gerald Garfield, Sophia Wash- ington, and William Ladd. For the Federal Reserve Board, the Sen- ate’s Banking Committee had reported scheduling hearings for Dr. Manuel Acosta and Charlene Hancock.

For over a year, Gerald Garfield had been strongly rumored to fill the next opening on the Court. As a result, LW had chosen Garfield for the honor of being the first nominee to make the ulti- mate sacrifice for his country.

chapter 24

President Schroeder’s reported list of nominees includes few surprises.

—A.P. Wire, June 11

Rachel asked Jack to call everyone to the table so she could tell them about her intruder. Before she did, Jack told them all about his lat- est call from LW, steeling himself to remain calm while repeating the part about the death of his brother, Nick.

Then Rachel gave them an overview, ending with, “After I found Jingles, I called in an FBI evidence team. I just got off the phone with them. Other than my dead cat, there’s nothing that proves any- one had come in.”

“Had someone been in your home before last night?” Jack asked her.

“I didn’t think so. Well, maybe I suspected, but now I’d say yes.

What made you ask?”

“Last night I found this propped against my front door.” He reached down and brought up a large manilla envelope. “It’s from LW. The lab found nothing that could help us.”

“What was in the envelope?” Colin asked.

“I hope this doesn’t embarrass you, Rachel,” Jack said, “but all of us need to know everything.”

Rachel stroked her throat softly and nodded, then sat quietly with a questioning look on her face.

the third coincidence 109

Jack straightened the little prongs of the envelope’s metal clasp, pulled the flap up over them, and dumped a brassiere onto the table. “Son of a bitch,” Rachel said. “I thought I had put the bra on my bed but I didn’t see it after I showered. I have several just alike,

so I blew it off after I found one on top in the hamper.”

“Jack,” Colin asked, “how did you know LW sent the envelope and that the bra belonged to Rachel?”

Jack reached inside the envelope and pulled out a sheet of plain white paper.

“The words were clipped from magazines,” he said, “and at- tached with Elmer’s glue available in a zillion stores. The lab said he did not lick the envelope or touch the top of the glue bottle before applying it.”

“Read the note, Jack,” Rachel said, her face now expressionless. He read:

You might want to put this back where it came from, Jack. A nice size. I’m sure you agree.

LW

P.S.: I kept her panties for my own amusement. Maybe one of my militiamen will wear them as a mask.

Rachel’s voice went husky. “I never missed my panties.”

She didn’t give a damn about the bra. LW could hang his balls in the cups and hook it behind his waist, but her panties were per- sonal. It sickened her to know that asshole possessed her scent as would a man with whom she had shared her love. She startled when Jack spoke again.

“After I got that envelope, I ordered personal protection details for all of you. Next time Nora or Frank calls in, tell them. And let Frank know that protection is also set up for his ex-wife and his chil- dren. The same as is set up for the families of the targets.”

“No,” said Millet. “No way. My house has the best security sys-

110 David M. Bishop

tem in America. Set it up myself. I don’t want nobody messing around my place.”

Jack pointed at the eccentric genius. “That’s it or you move into a CIA safe house and they’ll transport you back and forth daily. Take your pick. End of discussion.”

“Crap! You always get your way don’t you, Mr. McCall?” “Yes, Millet, I do. Now which will it be?”

“Shit. Have them come to my door tonight so I can familiarize them with my system before they set it off and embarrass them- selves.” Millet slammed his chair against the wall and stormed over to the beverage area.

“LW is telling us we aren’t off limits,” Jack said, paying no at- tention to the departure of the unruly Millet Yorke. “He’s telling us he knows who we are and where we live, and we don’t know him. Be careful. Don’t relax until you’re inside your homes and have checked the premises. The reporters who cover Metro PD reported that Frank and Nora had been assigned to us, but to date, neither Millet’s name nor Colin’s has been reported. Still, we can’t assume just because the media doesn’t know about them, that LW doesn’t.” Millet stuck his head out of the kitchen door. “What about you,