State of Rebellion

committee chair from the majority party, Mr. Speaker. What will my position be relative to him and, of course, to the senior minority member? I certainly have no standing regarding seniority.”

James Huntington rose and moved to the sideboard to refill his coffee cup. “Leave that to me, Dan. You’ll have all the latitude you need to accomplish your assignment.”

“Well, that seems to have covered it,” the governor said. “We’re pleased to have you on the team, Daniel Rawlings. Welcome to the world of politics.”

“Thank you, Governor. It’s been a pleasure to meet you, sir. And you, Mr. Speaker,” he said, reaching for his briefcase. As they approached the door, Dan paused for a moment. “Oh, Governor, one more thing. Would it be possible to obtain the services of an outside consultant? A knowledgeable professional who might give some important insight into the process?”

“Have someone in mind, Dan?” the governor asked.

“Well, sir, I. .”

“Son,” Dewhirst interrupted, placing his arm around Dan’s shoulder and walking him toward the door, “when the Speaker and I got down to a short list of potential candidates to accomplish this difficult task, whom do you suppose we asked to confirm your qualifications?”

Dan hesitated, not sure of the governor’s meaning. Then the light dawned. His smile growing, he glanced at the Speaker, whose face was covered with a large grin.

“It wouldn’t be a feisty old Stanford Law School professor with a quick wit, would it, sir?”

“None other, Mr. Rawlings. Professor Horatio Julius, who sends hordes of young Stanford lawyers into government service each year. A recommendation from him carries a lot of weight around here. Keep this assignment under your hat until the Speaker’s announcement Monday. I’m sure we’ll see a lot of each other. And James, why don’t we see what we can do to get him an office out of that musty basement where we usually hide the freshman, eh?”

“I’ll see what we can do, Governor,” Huntington said.

“Oh, and Mr. Speaker,” Dan said, edging toward the door, “about that Gary Cooper movie? We’ve got a lot of legislators in this building-most of whom haven’t taken a public stance. If you’ll recall, the eventual culprit and the rebels’ ‘inside man’ turned out to be the post commander, who also served, I believe, as the territorial governor.”

Governor Dewhirst’s eyes grew large, and Huntington began to laugh out loud.

“Walt, I think this kid will get both our seats if we’re not on our toes.”

In the foyer, Mrs. Hansen stood as the trio appeared. “Governor, General Del Valle would like you to call when you have a moment.”

“I’ll get right on it, Mrs. Hansen. You see, Dan, even the governor responds when Mrs. Hansen commands. If you have any needs and I can’t be reached-she’s the one to call.”

Victoria Hansen smiled at Dan Rawlings as he started for the door. Reaching the foyer exit, Dan looked back at her. “This might give me another character for my next novel, Mrs. Hansen.”

“Oh, dear, Mr. Rawlings. I’d better not have a fight with the governor then. Right?”

“I’ll be watching,” Dan said, and left.

Returning to his basement office, Dan sat in his chair, wishing for a window through which to contemplate his thoughts, as had become his habit years earlier. Write the constitution? If James Madison can do it, he thought, so can I. Yeah, right. He slumped down in his chair, beginning to feel the weight of the burden. Then, swiveling in his chair, he punched the speed dial on his phone.

“Good morning. Federal Bureau of Investigation. May I help you?”

“Agent Bentley, please.”

Chapter 26

Governor’s Office, California Capitol Building

Sacramento, California

I’ll put you through now, General Del Valle.”

“Good morning, Bob. New developments brewing?” Governor Dewhirst asked.

“It’s not good, Governor. I’m on my cellular, so I’d better come to the point in case we get cut off. Can you fit me into your schedule this afternoon?”

Dewhirst flipped open his daily agenda, prepared each evening by Mrs. Hansen and placed on the governor’s desk prior to her departure. “Three-fifteen.”

“Fine. It’ll be me and Lieutenant Colonel Jack Harman. He’s the commander, 324^th Armored Battalion here in Sacramento.”

“Why do I get the impression I’m not going to like this news?” the governor queried.

“Like I said, Governor, it’s not good. You’ve got some decisions to make. We’ll see you at three fifteen.”

Precisely at three twelve, Del Valle and Harman entered the governor’s suite and were cordially greeted by Mrs. Hansen. Both men were in uniform, having spent the previous evening and early morning hours in meetings and then flying nearly three hours in the National Guard helicopter from Fort Irwin, in southern California.

Dewhirst shook Del Valle’s hand, then reached to shake Colonel Harman’s as well. “Colonel, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” Dewhirst motioned for both men to take seats, retreating behind his desk. “Bob, your call sounded urgent.”

“Governor, we’re rapidly approaching some key decision points. Actually, that ‘we’ is self-serving. You’re approaching some decision points, I’m afraid. We’ve spoken of this before, but events are quickly taking on a momentum of their own, and we need to act accordingly. Perhaps I’ll let Colonel Harman explain. Colonel,” he said, turning the floor over to Harman, who quickly stood.

“Sir, I’ve been in touch-”

“Colonel,” the governor interrupted, “if you’d prefer to stand to deliver your briefing, that’s fine. But I’d be just as apt to listen if you made yourself comfortable and sat.”

Harman looked toward Del Valle, who just nodded. “Actually, Governor, I’d prefer to stand, if you don’t mind. I can pace a bit, sir,” he said, hesitantly.

Dewhirst just smiled, nodding his approval.

“Sir,” Harman began again, “I’ve been in touch with my counterpart at Fort Irwin over the past several months as the secession issues have begun to boil. When the ATF agents were ambushed and gunned down, we had some operational meetings regarding how to isolate and neutralize these militia units’ military capabilities.”

Governor Dewhirst looked toward General Del Valle, his raised eyebrows expressing his ignorance of any such plans.

“Unknown to me also, Governor,” Del Valle allowed. “Regular Army internal actions, it would seem. The colonel just briefed me today as well.”

“I see,” Dewhirst responded. “Continue please, Colonel.”

“Well, sir, General Del Valle is right. Regular Army considerations were not made part of California Reserve planning. It’s all gotten rather complicated, sir, and according to policy, the information has been classified under a need-to-know basis only.”

“Complicated is an understatement, Colonel,” the governor commented.

“Anyway, sir, contingency plans have been formulated with regard to both the militia groups and. .” Harman looked again toward Del Valle, seeking direction.

“Lay it out, Colonel. The governor’s a big boy.”

“Yes, sir. Plans to deal with both the local militia groups and the California Reserve, specifically the National