“Is it? Why shouldn’t we consider that a possibility? I think we should.”
“So do I,” says Senator Fields says.
“This man doesn’t have a single blemish on either his public or private life. Look what he’s done for the country. People are optimistic. They’re hopeful about the future.”
“Is that so? Well there are a lot of people who don’t like the direction he’s taking the country, and I’m one of ̓em,” Senator Fields says.
“Oh, I see. That’s what this is about. Isn’t it? You don’t like the President’s policies, so you’re looking for anything you can find to damage him,” says Senator Merrick.
“I never said that. Those are your words. With regard to going to the White House, I agree with Director Stuart. I think it’s a mistake. You’re in effect giving him a veto over this process.”
“We do have the trump card in this. We could go public as a last resort. Of course, that’s only if he refuses to cooperate,” FBI Director Slaughter says.
“That’s exactly what we don’t want to do. It would be a spectacle. I’m going to the White House Monday. Mr. Slaughter will you come with me? Senator Merrick asks the FBI director.
“Yes, of course I’ll go.”
“Senator Fields?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Why? I’ll tell ya why. Because I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, not to any President, not to any party, and certainly not to anyone whose allegiance might be in question.”
“Senator Fields, for you to suggest that the President might harbor any intentions antithetical this nation’s best interest is manifestly ludicrous.”
“Is it?”
“Yes it is.”
“Look, gentlemen, I asked you both to come in to try and keep this bipartisan. We have a problem. We’re not going to solve it by arguing with each other,” Director Slaughter says.
“I completely agree.”
“As I see it we have no choice but to talk to the President, either Monday or some other time. At some point he has to be given a chance to explain this,” the FBI director says.
“Exactly,” says Senator Merrick.
“So you’re going to tell him everything,” CIA Director Stewart says.
“That’s right.”
“And you don’t see any risk in that.”
“No Mr. Stuart, I don’t, none at all.”
“I’ll tell ya what. Let’s do this. Today is Friday. The President is in Miami for the start of the Olympics. He’s flying back to Washington on Sunday. Let’s meet again tomorrow, unless coming in on Saturday’s a problem for anyone,” the FBI director says.
“That’s fine. I’ll be here,” Senator Merrick says.
“Senator Fields?”
“What time tomorrow?”
“Some time in the afternoon, say three o’clock.”
“That sounds all right.”
“Okay, then, we’re agreed. That’ll give us time to think about it.”
After a few terse goodbyes the meeting comes to an end, and four men part company. Senator Merrick leaves first, and then Senator Fields and CIA Director Stewart leave together, and are completely silent until they are seated in Senator Fields’ car.
“Have you ever seen anything like that, Paul?”
“Never. I don’t know what to make of it. That was bizarre, watching him speed read like that. He didn’t look human.”
“I think he was on drugs. Almost had to be, turning those pages like that,” says Senator Fields.
“That thing lodged in his brain—that bothers me.”
“Especially since we can guess where it came from,” Senator Fields says.
“Why else would he go to a hospital in Beijing, stay all day, and then try to cover it up?”
“It seems pretty obvious to me.”
“You know what’s going to happen on Monday,” the CIA director says.
“I sure do. Senator Merrick’ll go down to the White House and spill his guts. Then Myers’ll give him a pat on the head and send him home.”
“There’s not much we can do about it.”
“You said earlier that Myers should be put under surveillance.”
“I think he should.”
“Do it. We can at least do that much. How long would it take?” Senator Merrick asks.
“It won’t take long to put a few people on him. They can be in Miami tonight,” the CIA director says. “They’ll keep an eye on him.”
“I don’t see how we can do anything else,” Senator Fields says.
“I agree. Too many unanswered questions,”