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The Invitation(29)

By:Michael McKinney


“We have total confidence that it is.”

“Looks like some kind of microprocessor. And you’re saying this thing is lodged in his brain?” CIA Director Stuart asks.

“That’s right.”

“Well, where did it come from?”

“I, uh, might have something new on that,” FBI Director Slaughter says.

“Well, what is it?” Senator Fields asks.

“I had an agent go down to Florida to interview the man who use to be the Chief of Staff for Ken Myers when he was Governor of Florida. His name is Ron Cushman.”

“What did he find out?”

“Cushman said that when Ken Myers visited China during his second term as Governor, he made an unscheduled visit to a hospital in Beijing, and, uh, never said much about it afterward.”

“Well, that’s news to us, Director. Is that confirmed, or just more hearsay?” Senator Merrick asks.

“We got the information from Mr. Cushman, who we believe to be credible.”

“What did he say?” Senator Fields asks.

“Basically he said they visited Beijing for three days. They were together for two days, then Myers told Cushman to take a day off and do some sightseeing. That’s the day he went to the hospital, and apparently stayed most of the day.”

“Well isn’t that interesting,” says Senator Fields.

“So what does that mean? Are you suggesting that that’s where that thing came from?” asks Senator Merrick, pointing at the TV screen.

“I’m not saying or suggesting anything. I’m just telling you where we are in this investigation,” the FBI director says.

“I have to remind you that we have yet to have a conversation with the President about this. There could be a simple explanation for all of this,” Senator Merrick says.

“We hope there is, Senator Merrick, but we don’t know that. Do we?” asks Senator Fields.

“How can we know? We haven’t talked to him yet.”

“Well, you’ll do that on Monday, and we’ll see what he has to say,” FBI Director Slaughter says.

“I wouldn’t do that,” CIA Director Stuart says.

“You wouldn’t do what?” asks Senator Merrick.

“I wouldn’t say anything to the President.”

“Why not?”

“Because he’s the subject of the investigation. That’s why. I’ve never heard of a case where you tell the person you’re investigating what you’re doing, have you?” CIA Director Stuart asks.

“Since when did this become an investigation of the President? I don’t remember anyone suggesting that.”

“After what we’ve seen, do you honestly expect us to do anything else?”

“You don’t have the authority to do that, Mr. Stuart, not legally.”

“I’m aware of that. I’m also aware of the possible threat that espionage might pose to our country. This is the Commander in Chief we’re talking about.”

“Mr. Stuart, you’re being very provocative. When you use a word like espionage in connection with the President you need to back it up with evidence. We don’t even know what that thing is.”

“That’s why we need to find out,” Director Slaughter says.

“And we will. We’ll do it calmly. We’ll do it rationally.”

“Let me ask you. With all the things we’ve seen here, does any of it concern you?” the CIA director asks.

“Of course it does, and we’ll get to the bottom of it, but we won’t do it your way. You want to treat the President as if he was the subject of a criminal investigation,” Senator Merrick says.

“That’s right I do. I think he should be put under surveillance immediately.”

“Well, that’s not going to happen. So forget it. Monday I’ll call the President,” Senator Merrick says.

“Maybe all of us should go to the White House on Monday. It’s going to come to that anyway,” Director Slaughter says.

“Well, we can’t stop you, but I think you’re making a mistake, and for the sake of the country, I hope you’re right,” the CIA director says.

“We’ll go and get it sorted out on Monday. If the Director of the FBI along with the chairman, and ranking member of the Senate Intelligence committee, if all three of us go there together it would set a tone of bipartisanship and cooperation.”

“What are you going to do Senator Merrick if the President refuses to cooperate, just denies everything?” CIA Director Stewart asks.

“Why would he do that?”

“The only reason would be to conceal something.”

“That’s absurd.”