The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
“And sometimes the scepter of power must be refreshed with that same blood,” Michaels said aloud.
He’d determined when he took office that he was going to become one of the greatest U.S. Presidents in history. Michaels told his advisors privately that he expected to rise above the rancor of partisanship eating away at Washington’s soul. Despite springing into action and delivering on his many campaign promises that served as a bridge to both sides of the political aisle during the election, it only took three years for him to garner approval ratings lower than congress. And the recent assault from the media only made matters worse.
It was Michaels’ disillusionment and disappointment that made the offer from The Chamber so intriguing. Delivered to him in person by Harry Bozeman, The Chamber’s offer was one of untold wealth if Michaels could assist them with their plan. Michaels resigned himself to the fact that he wasn’t going to join the list of America’s greatest presidents, and his inclusion among the country’s worst was still a likely possibility.
Might as well get rich.
The only problem was The Chamber had to delay their plan, pushing it back into what would be Michaels’s second term. And while another four years was once a sure thing, that possibility had dwindled to little more than a pipe dream. Michaels’s desperation was real. If he couldn’t find a way to turn his drooping approval ratings, he’d exit with nothing. No power. No glory. No wealth. And one hell of a secret about The Chamber that spelled the likelihood of an early demise if he ever breathed a word of it to anyone.
I’m screwed.
The knock on his door snapped him out of his mental doldrums for a moment, which quickly led to rage. He stood and stormed across the room.
“I can’t even get my damn secretary to obey my commands. How the hell am I gonna get a country to listen to me?” He yanked the door open.
“What?” he growled.
A pair of secret service agents stood stiff in the doorway.
“Sir, I’m sorry to bother you, but you have an urgent request from a visitor,” one of the agents said.
Michaels furrowed his brow. “Visitor? Anyone can just walk in and see me now?”
“Come with us, sir.”
One agent took the lead, while the other fell in behind Michaels, sandwiching him in the middle. They strode through the offices before slipping into an office that contained an entrance to the secret passageway in the bowels of the White House.
After another minute of weaving through the maze of tunnels and corridors, they arrived at Michaels’s private secure office. One of the agents opened the door, revealing President Michaels’s guest. It was Harry Bozeman.
Michaels entered the room and closed the door behind.
“What is the meaning of this, Harry?” Michaels asked. “You know this is going to attract unwanted attention? Every time we meet like this, we’re taking a serious risk.”
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important,” Bozeman said. “But relax. I take all the necessary precautions. As long as you can trust your secret service detail, no one will know about this meeting.”
“Make it quick.”
“I think we need to consider a backup plan, just in case things go south in Saudi Arabia.”
Michaels clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes. “You called me here for a meeting about a backup plan? Why do we even need a backup plan? You assured me that your plan was foolproof. Is there something going on that you haven’t told me about?”
Bozeman stroked his chin with one hand and looked up before answering. “I’ve kept you apprised of everything going on thus far. I have no reason to believe that we’re going to have any trouble. However, The Chamber doesn’t take to failure too lightly. And like it or not, our success—or lack thereof—is connected.”
Michaels let out a long slow breath and shook his head. “I should’ve never gotten involved with them in the first place. And it’s all your fault.”
“You had no choice,” Bozeman countered. “I had no choice. The Chamber gets what they want. It’s far better to join their cabal than to try and fight it. Besides, I’m sure you won’t care one wit about all this once you win re-election.”
“At this point, I’m not counting on anything.”
“Well, you better hope it happens because you can count on The Chamber following through on their promise if you fail to get elected.”
Michaels waved off Bozeman. “They’ll probably just co-opt the next President into complying with their wishes.”
“But isn’t it better to be on the right side of history . . . at least as it pertains to them?”
Michaels shrugged. “I’m not sure any of it will matter when it’s all said and done. And if anyone ever finds out the truth and discovers I was complicit with The Chamber’s plans, I’ll go down in history like Benedict Arnold. Then people will start using my name as a euphemism for traitor.”
“No one’s going to know because we’re going to succeed.”
Michaels leaned back, interlocking his fingers behind his head. “Yet you still feel the need to concoct a secondary plan?”
“Just trying to be cautious.”
“Fine. What do you need?”
“I need you to sign off on this,” Bozeman said as he handed a dossier to Michaels.
Michaels took it and opened it, reading the first few paragraphs in silence. “This makes me really uncomfortable.”
“It’s just a fail-safe.”
“I know, but—”
“It’s unpleasant to think about, but that’s why it’s our second option and not our first. The Chamber won’t spare you just because you still have a conscience.”
Michaels sighed before signing the order. He handed the document to Bozeman.
“Don’t let it come to this,” Michaels said as he stood.
Bozeman stuffed the paper into his coat jacket. “I’ll do my best, though these situations can be unpredictable.”
“I’m holding you responsible if you
