The Invitation(21)
“Hmm. Well, we have to know these things. Professor Hobart, I don’t want to take up any more of your time. So, I want to thank you for coming in and sharing your expertise.”
“It’s my pleasure. If I can be of further help just let me know.”
“We certainly will,” the Director says, rising to shake hands and cordially walk the professor to the door.
“Thank you for coming in, Professor Hobart,” Agent Colby says.
“You’re more than welcome.”
As the door closes behind Professor Hobart, Director Slaughter returns to his seat, and looks intently at Agent Colby.
“So it’s a hoax. But it’s not a hoax, is it?”
“No, Sir, I’m afraid it isn’t.”
“Hmm. This is beyond our purview. We’ve done all we can do. We need to brief a few senators, one from each party. I want to broaden the authority on this. Senator Fields is the ranking member on the Intelligence Committee. I’ll ask him and a Democrat, to keep it nonpartisan. We’ll bring ̓em in and show ̓em everything we have. I can’t see any other option.”
Pointing at the image still displayed on the TV screen Director Slaughter continues, “We have to assume that this thing, whatever it is, is still lodged in the brain of the President of the United States. I mean that’s the logic of it. Isn’t it?”
“I think so. Do we brief the Justice Department? Because we’ll have to eventually.”
“Not yet. I want to see what our Senators have to say first.”
“What do we say about how we obtained the medical records?”
“I’ll tell them they were sent to us anonymously by a concerned citizen.”
“That’s plausible.”
“We can’t do anything more in this case without a mandate of Congressional authority,” the Director says.
“I agree.”
“Tim, I’m sure you understand that this thing is going to take on a life of its own. I can’t guarantee that the question of how we got the medical records won’t be pursued.”
“I understand, Sir.”
“I can reassign you. It might keep you out of the fray.”
“Sir, I prefer to remain. My only concern is to see the investigation through. I’m not worried about anything else.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,”
“Good. We’ve seen a lot of investigations through, and we’ll see this one through as well, both of us.”
“Thank you, Sir,”
“Okay, I’m going to call Senator Fields, and see when he can come in, hopefully tomorrow. Meanwhile, I want you to go through the records and find out when, where, how many times, and for what reasons Ken Myers had contacts with foreign governments.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Both as President, and when he was Governor of Florida. Look for anything unusual, gaps in his itinerary, unscheduled meetings, anything out of the ordinary.”
“I will.”
“Good. This couldn’t happen at a worse time, with the Olympics coming up. We’ll be stretched a little thin. We’ll be okay, though. That’s it. Thanks, Tim, for coming in.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I know anything.”
“Good.”
Agent Colby makes his exit, and Director Slaughter sits back looking at the image still visible on the screen. It seems to beckon him. In a subdued tone, with quiet determination he says, “…What are you? We need to know, and we will.”
Chapter Eight
As late evening descends, it brings to a close another day at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. With the day’s obligations behind them, the first couple enjoys an interlude of relaxation before retiring. Carol, however is preoccupied tonight. Unsure as to whether or not she should tell Ken about the conversation she had with his mother, she is deeply ambivalent. How does one tell a spouse that their mother believes she was part of some strange, otherworldly encounter? With all that must be on his mind, should she add to his list of concerns? On the other hand she asks herself, wouldn’t he want to know about it, to do what’s necessary to keep it confidential? Her reticent mood prompts her husband to ask,
“You’re quiet tonight, Carol. Is everything all right?”
“I’m fine. So, Congressman Kearns is coming with us on Friday.”
“Yes he is. His wife Rebecca is coming to. They’re real nice. I’m sure you’ll like them.”
“It must be difficult for him to travel, confined to a wheelchair”
“We’ll make him as comfortable as possible.”
“I’m sure. If it were me, I think I’d rather stay home.”