d’.
Michael and Seamus stood to meet their friend. Olson pushed his way by two of the guards and the maitre d’, extending his hand toward the older of the two O’Rourkes.
“Seamus, I didn’t know you were in town.
When did you get in?”
“Friday morning.” Olson shook his hand and then Michael’s.
The maitre d’ seated the four Secret Service agents at the next table.
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Three of them sat with their backs to Olson and the O’Rourkes and one sat facing them. After sitting, Olson looked at Seamus and frowned.
“Knowing your disdain for Washington, I assume there must be something pretty important going on for you to come here.” The statement was met with a slight grin. “Not really, I had some business to take care of, and I wanted an excuse to visit Michael and
Tim.”
“Is everything all right at the mill?” The O’Rourke Timber Company was the largest employer in Grand Rapids and thus a political concern for Olson. “The mill is doing fine, in spite of all the interference I’m getting from your friends over at the EPA, the
Commerce Department, and the Department of the Interior.” A waiter approached the table and greeted them. Olson was thankful for the distraction. He admired Seamus but was not always comfortable with his penchant for direct confrontation. He’d noticed recently that Michael, like his father before him, had inherited this honest, but not always pleasant, Irish attribute. The waiter asked if they would like anything to drink.
Erik and Seamus ordered iced tea and Michael ordered a Coke. Olson informed them that the Joint Intelligence Committee was to reconvene at 1 P.M and if it was all right with them, he’d like to order lunch while the waiter was there. The O’Rourkes agreed and they placed their orders. As soon as the waiter left, Seamus looked across the circular table and said, “Erik, I understand you were involved in the budget summit at Camp
David this weekend.” Olson looked down and brushed his hand across the white tablecloth as if he were cleaning crumbs away.
Looking up with shame in his eyes, he said, “Yes, I was there.”
“How did it go?”
“I’d rather not say.” Seamus gave him a tightly screwed frown as if he was offended.
Olson shrugged his shoulders and said, “The President asked us to keep quiet about the details.”
“They were saying on the morning news that you cut one hundred billion dollars from the budget. Is that true?” asked Michael in a doubtful tone. “You don’t sound like you believe it,” said Olson. “I don’t think you can get the two parties together and cut one hundred billion dollars in two days.” Olson looked blankly at Michael and then Seamus.
“You’d be amazed what people are capable of doing when they’re backed into a corner.” The disgust was openly visible on his face.
“Erik, what happened up there?” asked Seamus. “I promised the President I wouldn’t talk about it.” Michael leaned closer to Olson and looked him in the eye. “Erik, if you don’t think you can trust us, this town has really gotten the best of you.” Olson looked at
Michael and then Seamus, thinking about the close friendship between their two families.
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Michael’s father had been Erik’s best friend. The O’Rourkes were the most honest people he knew. When they gave their word, they meant it.
Olson fidgeted in his chair and leaned forward. Seamus and Michael did the same.
“I’ll tell you what happened, but you have to promise me you will tell no one.” Seamus and Michael nodded yes. “That means no one.
Especially Liz, Michael.”
“You have my word.” Olson slowly recounted the weekend’s events.
Michael and Seamus listened intently and stayed quiet.
Five minutes into Olson’s account, lunch was served. The plates were pushed aside as
Olson continued to recount the President and Garret’s plan to mislead the public. Olson became more animated and angry as he explained in detail how they were going to actually spend more money and, through accounting gimmicks, say they were cutting the budget.
The same was true for the O’Rourkes. The more they heard, the more they strained to keep their mouths shut. When Olson was done, he sat back in his chair and took a large gulp of water. Seamus was the first to speak.
With his deep, weathered voice he said, “Those bastards all deserve to die.” The severity of the comment almost caused Olson to spit his water back up. “You don’t really mean that, do you?”
“You’re damn right I do.”
Olson looked to Michael, and Michael said nothing. “Seamus, don’t you think that statement is a little harsh considering recent events?” The older of the O’Rourkes repeated his conviction. “Those corrupt bastards deserved to die, too.”
“You can’t be serious?”
