death.
The hills began to flatten, miles of desert appearing between solitary peaks. And Cilla kept driving.
March 13
Norman Ducharme studied the invitation. On the one hand, it was a group on his A list. The Society of New Hampshire Women was a powerful statewide organization, one a New Hampshire governor, with an election to contend with every two years, ignored at peril. On the other hand, it was being held in North Conway, and it was Ducharme’s conviction - one shared by many in Concord - that north of that capital city there were more moose than votes.
“Stafford!”
The call brought his aide through the door. “Yes, Governor?”
“What am I doing June 20?”
“It may not matter.”
“What?”
“Take a look at this.” The aide put a letter in front of his boss. “I just opened it.”
Ducharme read:
Governor Ducharme,
Are you familiar with the word “Armageddon”? Become so. It is what will occur in your fair state should some important financial arrangements not be made. This same letter is being sent to your colleagues in the five other New England states asking the six of you to deposit the sum of six billion dollars to account number 7C869M54HR- GV at Closter’s Bank on Gruber Street in Lausanne, Switzerland by twelve noon on March 17. We are aware that it is entirely possible you receive other such requests from cranks and loonies who have no means or intentions of carrying them out. Do not make the mistake of assuming this is one of those. Our credentials can be verified by contacting Governor Whalen of Massachusetts and asking him to relay the events that occurred in the town of Stewart. This was our doing. Find that hard to believe? Then ask Governor Whalen if any animals died in Stewart. They didn’t, and this bit of information has never been released to the public. Why did no animals die? Because what was used only attacks humans. And outside of the CDC, FBI and other bureaucratic types only we know that fact. Picture the same scenario in a hundred new locations, many in New Hampshire. Would you ever hold political office again? Would there be anyone left to vote for you? The danger in doing business with most of us who obtain funds through duress is that we’ll return for more. That’s why we are seeking a substantial sum right up front, enough to cover our needs forever. We won’t be back; this is a one-time contribution.
It was unsigned.
“Get Nate Whalen on the phone.”
“Right.”
Within minutes the governor of New Hampshire was talking with the governor of Massachusetts.
“You’re the third,” said Governor Whalen
“Tell me about Stewart,” said Governor Ducharme
“Ten people died there last fall.”
“Some sort of a germ, wasn’t it?”
“We don’t know.”
“You don’t know yet?” Incredulity crept into Ducharme’s voice.
“No, we don’t. The FBI and CDC have both worked it.”
“But for Christ’s sakes, Nate. What did the autopsies show?”
“That they just stopped living. One minute they were alive, the next they weren’t.”
“Something contagious?”
“No one outside Stewart was affected.”
“Did the animals die?”
“No.”
“What’s the situation in Stewart today? Has there been a recurrence?”
“No. It lasted only a few days last October.”
“This may be it then. Pandora.”
Governor Whalen knew just what he meant. Sort of like a ghost story told in hushed voices around a political campfire, the conjecture of a “Nutcracker” - a person or group that had gained the power to “crack” the valued assets of a city or state, physically or financially - had been heard at meetings of mayors and governors.
As the threat of nuclear war diminished, the threat of nuclear terrorism increased. There were too many bombs in the hands of too many people, and, human nature being what it is, some will seek military and political advantage for their religions, tribes or countries. As far back as the Oklahoma City disaster the lesson was learned; how easily it could be accomplished by only one or two men.
In the midst of this fear, the demands may come from those who take advantage of terrorism to blackmail for personal benefit, use fear to collect dollars. They won’t take on the nation. But a city? Or a state? Who’s going to come to their rescue or pursue the bombers after the strike? And, since such extortionists are likely to have little concern for government finances, eventually someone will ask for such a large amount as to “crack the nuts” financially of the city or state if it were paid, or so the thinking went. The tiger was behind both doors, and the city or state was the loser, no matter what the decision of its executive.
The “bomb” could, of course, be something other than an explosive. It was no secret that infinitesimal quantities of some frightening substances could wipe out humans as quickly and in as great quantities as the noisier members of the arsenal.
“Jean Tentas thinks we should pay it.”
“Sure. Connecticut has the highest per capita wealth in the nation. She also probably thinks because it’s a multiple of six we should split it evenly.”
“We didn’t get to that.”
“You know we can’t pay, no matter how little or how much. Once we start we’ve opened ourselves to anyone with a mass weapon.”
“We decided on a conference call at three o’clock. Can you do it?”
“Yeah. I don’t need to check my schedule for this. Does the press have it yet?”
“Not that I’ve heard. Who knows about it in your office?”
“Just Stafford. He opens all my mail.”
“The rest of us the same so far. Only one person other than the governor.”
“One too many.”
“Yes. It will be out by this evening. Jean thinks we should go public. She wants to in Connecticut.”
“Who haven’t you heard from?”
“George Crothers in Vermont and Les Petrocelli in Rhode Island.”
“I’ll call George.”
“Okay. I’ll take Les.”
Talk about lonely at the top, thought Norman Ducharme. Despite the depressing feeling that nothing positive could result from the call, it was surprisingly comforting to feel others were in the same impossible position. But being in the same position didn’t mean they’d all view it the same. Les Petrocelli came down on Jean Tentas’ side, plumping for going along with the demand. His argument was this was a hostage situation - all six New England states the hostages - and in hostage psychology you never turn those holding them down cold. Talk is better than confrontation and while they were gathering the funds, the FBI would have opportunity to develop leads.
The others were willing to at least discuss this line of reasoning right up until Governor Petrocelli suggested proposed payment of the six billion be split amongst the six states on the basis of land area. This brought Arthur
