the LP’s ultimate objective was realized.
It was all because a couple of intelligent patriots—what else could you call them?—foresaw a future where America’s power would begin to slip, where its position at the top of the economic ladder would no longer be secure. They knew they couldn’t let this happen, realizing even then that democracy wasn’t as important as two cars in the garage, a refrigerator full of food, and a yearly vacation at the beach. One only needed to look at China’s resurgence to see how well that was working.
So they recruited like-minded intellectuals and formed what would one day become known as the LP. They spent years drafting their plan, then doing everything they could to make it a reality. And now, a half-century later, the LP’s figurehead was in place, and already making a name for himself. In a few years, when he announced the creation of a serious third-party challenge to the status quo, the country would be ready, and would beg him to take command. The years the LP had spent fueling the polarization between the Democrats and the Republicans would finally pay off. That, combined with the softening of the electorate toward the acceptance of a third party that the LP had been fostering since before the Nixon administration, would create an atmosphere ripe for political revolt. In electing the LP’s man, the public would feel like they’d accomplished something for once, when in reality all they would have done is exactly what they were manipulated into doing.
After the LP’s candidate took the oath of office, suddenly the nations that had taken a hard line against the U.S. but were really under the control of the LP would start falling in line. Then the economic roller coaster the Western world had been stuck in would level off thanks to the LP’s grip on the financial institutions it had had a hand in re- creating during the great banking consolidation in 2008.
And once all that had occurred, the country wouldn’t even blink an eye when presidential term limits were repealed. It was just a matter of time now. Time that could be measured in years, not decades. Soon the LP would achieve the goals its founders had set out at the beginning: not only controlling the United States of America, but also nearly twenty percent of the rest of the world.
The realization that they were so close calmed Hardwick. He pulled out his phone, but not to call the cops on Quinn.
“It’s me,” he said when his boss picked up the other end.
“How did it go?” Chairman Kidd said.
“I don’t think he was happy to learn who I worked for,” Hardwick said.
“Do you think it was a mistake?”
“No. He needed to know. It’ll help him believe later.”
“Maybe. But I’m not so sure.”
“Doesn’t matter now.”
“No, I guess not,” Chairman Kidd said. There was a pause. “Do you think he’ll follow through?”
“He’ll tell the Office. He has to. And they’ll tell their clients. Chercover won’t let it drop. He may not have cared about us before, but Deputy Director Jackson was his protege.”
“Killing him was an inspired idea,” the Chairman said.
“Thank you,” Hardwick said.
The finding of Jackson’s body had gone near perfect to how Hardwick had envisioned it. As had the killings in Ireland, and the staged shooting at the museum less than an hour earlier. All had been designed to increase Chercover’s and the Office’s belief in the information Hardwick had been passing to them. Now there was only one last thing he had to do, and that would depend on what happened with Yellowhammer.
“Do you think it’s almost time to blackball the Office?” Chairman Kidd asked.
“Let’s wait and see what Quinn does,” Hardwick said. Forcing the Office out of business was just another step in Hardwick’s plan. They’d proved to be a problem for the LP, so using this opportunity to stop them was a no- brainer. “Once it looks like they’ve taken our bait, and send him to Yellowhammer, we move. Chercover first, though. Then we blackball the Office.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“After that I think it’s time for us to go into quiet mode,” Hardwick said.
There was a pause, then Chairman Kidd said, “Agreed. I’ll make sure everyone knows.”
“One other thing,” Hardwick said. “I’ve retired as of this moment. Do you think you can arrange things for me?”
“Of course. It’s time you became a member of the council anyway.”
Hardwick smiled. Plans within plans, all coming together. “I would be honored.”
“I’m glad,” the Chairman said. “I’ll be waiting for your final call.”
“The morning after tomorrow. If everything sticks to schedule it should be around 12:30 p.m. your time.”
“Remember, there can be no loose ends.”
“There won’t be.”
“Great, a vacation when you’re done, then,” Mr. Kidd said. “Some place warm.”
“It’s like you read my mind.”
“Be careful, James. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Hardwick slipped the phone back into his pocket. A vacation did sound like a good idea. But he had to see this through first. And even before that, he needed to find a ride back to his hotel.
Marion awoke to darkness.
At first she thought there might be something covering her eyes. But as her fingers touched her face, she
