The Lincoln Myth(84)
But maybe he was just a fool.
He thrust his hands into his jacket pockets.
Below, he spotted Cassiopeia emerge from the hotel.
Then Salazar.
Behind them came two bellmen carrying their bags.
A car eased from the street and parked in one of the empty spaces facing the hotel.
They both climbed inside.
He heard the growl of an engine nearby and spotted a light-colored Audi negotiating the paved lane that bisected the woods. It was possible to drive to the top from the mound’s far side, the one facing Salzburg’s eastern suburbs. He used the tree for cover and watched as the Danite fled his post and broke into a sprint.
The young man climbed inside and the vehicle sped away.
Seemed everyone was leaving.
No surprise.
Which was why his own bag was packed at his hotel.
STEPHANIE WAITED AS DANNY DANIELS DIGESTED WHAT KATIE had read to them. The implications were beyond dispute. The Founding Fathers had expressly fashioned a way for a state to withdraw from the union , if that state so desired. But they’d been smart and not included the language in the Constitution. Instead, a separate agreement had been executed that could be used, if needed, to ease any apprehension a ratifying state might have on losing its sovereignty.
What had the Supreme Court said in Texas v. White?
Our conclusion therefore is, that Texas continued to be a State, and a State of the union , notwithstanding the transactions to which we have referred. And this conclusion, in our judgment, is not in conflict with any act or declaration of any department of the National government.
But it was.
It directly conflicted with the founders themselves.
“The whole convention was held in secret,” the president said. “They changed everything behind closed doors, going against the entire intent of why they were there. That’s bad enough, then they go and do this.”
“The Civil War was fought for nothing,” Katie said. “All those men died for nothing.”
“What do you mean?” Luke asked.
“It’s real simple,” the president said. “Lincoln decided the union was forever. You can’t leave it. No discussion, no debate. He made that call himself. Then he fought a war to prove his point. But guess what. You actually can leave. It’s not forever. Which makes sense. I’ve never believed the founders forged a union that could never be dissolved. They’d just fought off totalitarianism. Why would they then create a whole new version?”
Stephanie asked the question she knew Danny was thinking. “Did Lincoln know this?”
“Mary Todd seemed to think so.”
And she agreed, recalling the former First Lady’s letter to Ulysses Grant.
His anguish during the war was deep and profound. I always thought it a consequence of being the commander in chief, but once he told me that it was because of the message.
“Yet he fought the war anyway,” she said.
Daniels shrugged. “What choice did he have? It was either that or shut the whole damn country down.”
“He should have let the people make that call.”
“This journal is useless,” Katie said.
Daniels nodded. “You got that right. It’s a good starting point, shows intent, but it’s not enough for anyone who wants to prove the point. To conclusively show that secession is legal, you’d need what they signed.”
The president’s eyes said what Stephanie was thinking.
And it was sent to Brigham Young.
She faced Luke. “Which you’re going to find.”
“And where do I look?”
Her phone vibrated.
She checked the display.
“I have to take this. It’s Cotton.”
She stood to leave.
“Take this one with you,” the president said, pointing to Katie. “I want to speak with my nephew alone.”
MALONE HELD HIS IPHONE IN ONE HAND, THE OTHER PROPPED against the side of a building. He’d made his way down from the Mönchsberg and back to his hotel, taking a cab to the Salzburg airport. He’d been fairly sure Salazar would be bugging out today. Not so clear, though, was his own destination.
“Cassiopeia and Salazar have left,” he told Stephanie.
“She failed to check in with me.”
“She’s pissed. I imagine she’s gone off the grid.”
He reported what happened with her visit to his room.
“I lied to her,” Stephanie said. “I didn’t tell her about you.”
“Which she clearly didn’t appreciate.”
“I don’t have time to worry about her feelings. We have a situation here, and we need her help.”
“She doesn’t give a damn about your situation. This is about her and dear Josepe. Or at least that’s how it appears. She’s managed to worm her way close. That I’ll give her. But I’m not sure she knows what to do now that she’s there. Her head’s screwed up.”