The Invitation(9)

“I believe you.”

“I wouldn’t have been talking about this at all, but for the fact that this guy is now President of the United States. I feel obligated to tell people about my experience with him. I’m not writing a book, or some tell all exposé. I haven’t been paid a dime to talk about this with anyone. I’ve been on four radio talk shows, and I paid all my own expenses. The local TV station did a story on me about two months ago.”

“I watched it several times,” Agent Colby says.

“Basically trying to portray me as a kook. My daughter got teased in school because of it.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah, so was I. She goes to private school now. So you see, Mr. Colby, I’m not making any money off of this. It’s costing me money.”

“Would you be willing to take a polygraph test about what you’ve told me here today?”

“Absolutely, provided that the questions are all on the topic we’re now discussing.”

“You wouldn’t have to answer any question that you regarded as off- topic.”

“Sure, I have no problem with that.”

“Well then, let me have a look at what you’ve given me today. Then I’ll call you, and you can let me know when it would be convenient for you to come in for another interview.”

“Where would this take place?”

“Right here in Providence, downtown. It’s, I think, less than six miles from here.”

“That’s fine. Just let me know.”

“Mr. Garrett, I want to thank you for your time here today, allowing me to come into your home, and for the material you’ve provided. I can assure you I’ll give it my personal attention.”

As both men rise, Phillip Garrett feels impelled to restate with emphasis his motivation for what he’s doing.

“Mr. Colby, I’m doing this because I believe it’s the right thing to do.”

“I get that general impression Mr. Garrett, but we always have to check things out.”

“I’m sure of that. Can I expect a telephone call from you?” Phillip asks.

“Probably tomorrow, so give me ̓till then, and we’ll talk further.”

“I’ll be home to take your call. You will want to talk further, Mr. Colby, after you see this DVD. Thank you for coming by.”

“Thanks again for your time, Mr. Garrett.”

As Phillip watches Agent Colby drive away, he feels himself unexpectedly flushed with a deep sense of relief. At last, he’s now on the record. He has essentially done what he intended to do for years. He has told the unusual story of his experience with Kenneth Myers, and told that story to nothing less than an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Whatever happens now is the responsibility of others. For Phillip Garrett, it feels as if a burden has been lifted.





Chapter Four



Several days later, and far from the quiet suburbs of Providence, Rhode Island, the First Lady is arriving at the elegantly styled apartment of the President’s mother, Kathryn Myers, for lunch. Mrs. Myers is a woman whose reserved and congenial manner has won her the respect of nearly all who know her. A petite, seventy–two-year-old in excellent health, she is personable, and engaging. Having lost her husband when their only child Kenneth was a teenager, she never remarried.

The rude shock of his father’s death from a car accident left fourteen-year-old Kenneth emotionally staggered for a time. It was at this point in his life that his mother, always a woman of stoic strength, became for him a quiet, constant, reassuring presence. Her dignity and emotional grace through this difficult period would serve as a powerful example of personal integrity for him. Their common sorrow forged between them an enduring bond of mutual respect, and affection. The sizable inheritance left by Ken’s father would assure that both of them would have a secure future.

Long accustomed to seeing her son in the political spotlight, Kathryn Myers has learned to avoid controversy by maintaining as far as possible, a private life. Notoriously reticent, her steadfast refusal to grant interviews with the media has fostered in some the opinion that she’s aloof, and supercilious, but those who know her, see her as someone who simply refuses to relinquish her personal privacy. Living in the nation’s capital, a place where political gossip is pandemic, Mrs. Myers lives the normal, unassuming life she has always preferred. Though inattentive to most, she’s always delighted to see family, or friends, and is particularly pleased to have Carol as her daughter-in-law. The mutual affection between the two women is genuine. As Mrs. Myers finishes the last few touches to a table set for two, she hears the door bell, and a familiar voice.