‘Everything this group were trying to bring to our attention is all there in the public eye if only they’d bother to read it. I think this country sometimes lives in a constant state of ignorant bliss when it comes to some of our history. You only need to look at the story of Thanksgiving for that. But Lincoln’s story gives us all something we all need in our lives. Hope.’
‘But Mr President, sir, with all due respect this goes beyond just the average American. This is about our history. Yours and mine. How do you feel about all this as an African American? A descendent of slaves?’
The President stood up and turned around, looking out over the city of Washington from his prestigious view. He took a moment of silent reflection whilst he considered his answer to Darnell’s complex question. This was a personal story for both of them which risked being tarnished.
‘Sometimes as leaders, when we’re trying to rise up into positions of power, we don’t always have everyone on board in regards to the differences we want to make in the world. And so sometimes we say things, do things, which will prove popular with people, who wouldn’t necessarily vote for us, just so we can get in and start to do the right thing instead. Is it ethical? Possibly not. It certainly wouldn’t be if we did it the other way round, where we promised freedom then didn’t deliver on it later.’
‘What are you saying? That it’s OK to lie?’ Darnell asked and the President turned around.
‘Lincoln had a big fight ahead of him to get into a position of power. To do this he needed people from all sides of the slavery debate to vote for him. Do you think he’d have got into this office in the first place if he’d gone around stating his intentions to end slavery to the Confederates?’
‘Perhaps not,’ Darnell said with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
‘And some would question my own transition into power. On my campaign trail I seemingly had a view that marriage should remain between a man and a woman. But look at me now. I’m suddenly a changed man who believes that marriage should be for everyone.’
‘Would those questioning your intentions be correct?’
‘I’ll let you be the judge of that. But I ask you, would you have voted for me had I said back in 2008 that at the top of my agenda was to legalise gay marriage?’
‘Perhaps not.’ Darnell lowered his head.
‘Maybe one day someone will dig up my body to reveal a similar message to the American people.’ He chuckled and sat back down. ‘But I need this to stay under wraps. God knows what it’ll do to our country if we give these theories the light of day. Riots in the streets? Statues eliminated? I hate to even imagine it. And for what? Something a president may or may have not said two hundred years ago. Who knows what his intentions were? He isn’t here to tell us.’
‘I don’t feel comfortable lying to the American people, Mr President.’
‘And I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to remain quiet. And in exchange for your silence I’m going to offer you two things.’
‘What’s that?’ Darnell asked, his interest tickled.
‘I’m going to give your son, Aaron, immunity from this case. Call it a Presidential Pardon, if you will. It’s quite clear to me that he did little else than make this whole crime personal to you. I haven’t found any evidence that he took any direct steps to steal the body himself. We could of course charge him for his part in this horrific crime but I think we can overlook it if you can overlook what we’re keeping back. I think the issues that you and your son have personally should be sorted. And you can only do that whilst he’s at home.’
‘Thank you, Mr President,’ Darnell replied. ‘Funnily enough, talking about gay equality, that’s what his whole issue with me has been about. I’m an old fool at times. I wanted what was best for him and I couldn’t accept him for who he was because I feared how the world would treat him. I’ve got a lot to make up for in that respect.’
‘We all want the best for our children, Detective Jackson. But I assure you that in the America I wish to create, nothing will stop him achieving whatever he wants to, and he’ll be safe in the streets which he calls home.’
‘What’s the second thing you wanted to offer me?’
‘Oh yes, I’m hoping you’ll quite like this one. Your boss, Commander Hill, informed me that you’re close to retirement but said you needed to go out with a bang.’
‘I think this case has been more than enough.’ Darnell chuckled.
‘What if I gave you the location of Chuck Cunningham?’ The President winked. Darnell smiled and stood up, offering his hand to the leader. ‘The FBI have tracked him down but I was told you might want to finish this job.’
‘It’s a deal. Thank you, sir. You won’t regret this. It truly has been an honour.’
‘Look, Detective Jackson, I know this whole experience has been very upsetting for you, and all I’ll say is… a lot was said before Lincoln took office, but let’s remember what he also said after. “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves and under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it.” Whatever he said or felt before he became president, whether he himself believed it or not, clearly changed after. People are allowed to change their mind, Darnell.’
