“Only Trexler?” asked Perryman, finally entering the conversation. He was satisfied just being present for this meeting.
“Yes. The Democrats control most states with large enough margins to keep them, as you know, Mr. Speaker. The problem is that Trexler is such a fanatic for Thurston that I don’t see how he’ll ever give in. He’s the only other possibility besides Hawkins. However, we have much information on Trexler, but considering his personality, I still think if we can get Hawkins, we’ll have a better chance.”
“I’m confident, gentlemen,” said Norwalk, hoping to point out the obvious, “that if we could get so many others, we’ll succeed with Hawkins. We’ve handled too many tough cases to be frustrated by a single freshman who’s never even been out of his home state before.”
“Youth is often extremely intractable, Mr. President,” observed Ellsworth, who’d been silent until then.
“I agree with the President,” said Perryman, rubbing his chin and speaking thoughtfully. “I’m just sorry Bill Crampton didn’t beat him. He’s a strong supporter of your Russian policy and we’d have the state if he’d been returned.”
“But he leaves office when Hawkins comes in. No use living a pipe dream, Mr. Speaker,” said Slanetti.
“Still,” mused Perryman, “if there was some way to get rid of Hawkins and replace him with Crampton, all our troubles”—he snapped his chubby little fingers—“would vanish.”
Norwalk followed Perryman’s remarks closely, but no closer than the two ambassadors present. Norwalk interrupted Perryman as he trailed off.
“We’ll concentrate on Hawkins from the White House. I’m sure we’ll manage somehow. From my discussion with Phil earlier today, I’m satisfied that all the other cases are taken care of and will hold until the new Congress convenes.” He studied the ambassadors and Perryman, who were all deep in thought. “I doubt we’ll have to call on you gentlemen in Hawkins’s case, now that he’s the last one. If we should need you, rest assured that we will call. Personally, I cannot thank you enough or fully express my gratitude for all you’ve done. I admire and thank you for the professional discretion you’ve exercised in the few past weeks.”
Norwalk watched the two ambassadors with sharp, seeing eyes. They’d both been involved in highly illegal manipulations, hopefully, Norwalk thought, without the knowledge of either of their governments. Their interference in American electoral procedures would be a huge scandal for St. Clair when and if he became President. Norwalk wanted to minimize any possible pressures the two envoys might seek to put on St. Clair as repayment for helping with his election. He was aware more than anyone in Washington that little or nothing was done by one person for another without some expectation of repayment.
“I believe you both when you say you are acting in the interests of world peace and that you think those interests will best be served by the election of Governor St. Clair to follow me.”
“I might add,” interrupted St. Clair, “that I’m personally in debt to everyone here who’s helped with this business.”
He hesitated, seeking the words Norwalk had used when they met alone and discussed his “obligations” to the two envoys and Perryman.
“As President, however,” he said, “I am sure you will understand that whatever my personal feelings of indebtedness, I will act as President and not as Sam Houston St. Clair, the man you helped.”
He realized he’d put it awkwardly and wished he hadn’t interrupted Norwalk, but his expression didn’t show this.
Ellsworth moved in his seat.
“Although my government knows nothing of my activities on your behalf, Governor, you may rely on my discretion in the future as you have been able to do in the past.”
“What Lord Ellsworth says naturally applies to me as well,” added Kornilevski.
St. Clair breathed an inaudible sigh of relief and sat back. Slanetti didn’t look at anyone or say anything.
Perryman’s thoughts regarding Hawkins’s displacement congealed as he listened to the Russian ambassador assure St. Clair he wouldn’t be banging down the front doors of the White House for favors once St. Clair had moved into the second floor living quarters. Though his thoughts were clear in his mind, he decided it wouldn’t be proper to reveal what they were just then, in front of all these people. No, he’d have to see Norwalk alone at the soonest possible time.
He had a plan he was sure would put this Hawkins pup in his place! But he had to see Norwalk at the earliest opportunity.
* * *
Across the compound, Jack strolled on a porch and gazed across at Laurel Lodge where his dad was meeting with Norwalk and the others. He couldn’t figure out what Lord Ellsworth was doing here, and his dad had not offered to share what went on at these meetings, of which Jack knew there had been several.
“Better you not know,” was all Sam had said to him, glum-faced.
Jack took a call from Sean Walsh.
“What’s up, Sean?”
“Looks like our friends have set another meeting at good old Enriqueta’s this morning. Thought you might want to know.”
“Boy, they really love that place, huh?”
“Seems like it.”
“You’ll be there, of course.”
“Sure. Me and Fredo are getting the van ready now.”
“Any word what it’s about?”
“No, but it’s got to be a follow-up meeting to go over what happened to Flores and Duarte, since that’s the only thing they met about before.”
“Can’t wait to hear the recording, see what they’re up to.”
“I’ll give you a call if it’s something really unusual.”
“Be careful out there, Sean. They’ve got to be a little on edge after losing all that money from the sub.”
“I was thinking the same thing. Gotta go.
