CHAPTER FIVE

  Senator Victor Tully made his way toward the office of Michael Esterling, visibly irritated and walking with an angry air. The junior senator had made a bold statement by demanding his senior meet him in his chambers. This upstart has a lot to learn about politics, he thought. Their appointment time was four o’clock. He checked his watch. It read four-thirty. He smiled, the least he could do is make the little bastard wait.

  He pushed open the door and met a sharply dressed male receptionist. The man held up a finger, indicating that Victor should wait. Of course, he would not.

  “I’m Senator Tully to see Senator Esterling.” He walked with confidence toward the mahogany door. “Ensure we aren’t disturbed until after I leave.”

  “Stop.” The man quickly hung up the phone and stood.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I said to stop, Senator. I was instructed to have you sit and wait while he finishes another appointment.”

  “Sit and wait? You mean he isn’t ready?” the senator fumed. “Our appointment was more than thirty minutes ago!”

  “Exactly, and he met with someone else while you took your time getting here.” The audacious receptionist stepped forward. He was an imposing figure, broad in the shoulders with punishing eyes. Victor was fairly certain the man was more security than personal assistant. He sat.

  A few moments later the door opened and Victor stood. He was prepared to give the young senator from Massachusetts a tongue lashing but froze in his tracks.

  The woman departing Esterling’s office said, “You don’t have to stand for me, Victor.”

  “Madam Speaker, I…”

  “You what? You were purposely late to your appointment and didn’t expect to find me going over Michael’s future with him?” The Speaker of the House stared him down with a cool smile. “Well?”

  “I…” He tried to answer but the words caught in his throat.

  “Michael,” she turned to face the young man, “let’s meet again for lunch. I’d like to discuss these ideas further.”

  “Absolutely, Marsha. How’s Friday?”

  “I have a luncheon with the Vice President but I’ll cancel for you.” She shot Victor a look of disgust and turned to leave. The receptionist held the door. “Thank you, Robert,” she said as she left.

  Esterling smiled at Victor, reaching out a hand in greeting. “Victor! Thanks for coming!”

  Tully ignored the offering and pushed past. “Let’s get this over with.” Once inside, he chose a seat by a small window, refusing to sit across from Michael’s seat of power and gazing out at the view of the city.

  The younger man ignored the slight. “I’m so glad you’re here, Victor. I wanted to go over your recent bill.”

  This caused Tully to pause. Is he about to tell me he’s on board? Michael Esterling was known far and wide as a progressive and as such drew wide-eyed young voters. But his true agenda was extremely hard to read and the man himself thoroughly unpredictable. Victor asked with suspicion, “What about my bill?”

  “As written, it won’t pass the floor. I also just ensured that it will never see approval from the house unless you add some provisions.”

  “But our party owns the house, and she won’t buck her own agenda.” Victor sat rigid in his seat, the hairs on his neck taking notice of potential treachery. “Why exactly was Madam Speaker here?”

  “She and I both agree that your bill is an affront to our party’s values.” He paused and then added, “As written, of course.”

  “Did she suddenly decide that while in your chambers?” Without waiting for an answer he added, “And who are you? Nothing but a junior hellraiser who scraped up enough young voters to claim his seat.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “The nation needs new leadership and craves fresh minds in both houses. Madam Speaker knows this.”

  “I’ve served the people for four decades!”

  “Then perhaps,” the younger man said, “you’ve overstayed your welcome.” Esterling stood and walked casually around the desk, resting his hip on the corner. He folded his arms and narrowed his eyes on Victor. “This entire institution is corrupt, and I aim to change it.”

  This made the senior senator laugh. “Good luck with that. Every one of us arrived in Washington like the fictional Mr. Smith—with expectations of grandeur and hoping to make a difference. But in the end, it’s all a game. A game of alliances and backroom discussions. Politics has nothing to do with making a difference. For that matter, it has even less to do with making the world better for the people.”

  “Oh,” Michael said, “I agree with that statement one hundred percent. That’s why I’m not a politician. The people, as you call them, are nothing more than votes to career flip floppers like you. Admit it, our party under current leadership, preys upon the lower class, especially the immigrants and minorities, rendering them dependent. Our answer to their problems has always been to raise taxes and hope we finally made a difference. Unfortunately, that only ensures they perpetually elect pompous elitist windbags like you. Where’s their money except fattening your own pocket? No, Senator Tully, I’m the opposite of a politician. I’m here to turn your world upside down and run you out—to make this party for the people, of the people, and by the people.”

  Victor fought against his anger, but allowed a small measure of venom seep to seep into his words. “You don’t have the power to make those changes. Besides,” he added, “the rest of us won’t accept it.”

  “Alone? No. I’m afraid you’re right, at least for now. But Madam Speaker and a few of your close friends are willing to listen.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because my associate Robert in the next room has his finger on an email, and he’s just aching to send it to Fox news. It’s damning, Senator Tully. Forty years of your vile back room dealings and all the dirty little private secrets you’d prefer kept hidden.” Michael walked around his desk and settled into his chair. Once seated he pulled out a tablet, tapped it with his forefinger, and added, “This is the version of your bill which Marsha and her friends have agreed to back. It’ll be presented by you and my name is nowhere on it.”

  “What’s in it for you if you don’t get to bask in the glory? Passing a bill through both houses could eventually launch you as whip? Why wouldn’t you want that?”

  Michael sighed loudly. “Esteemed colleague.” He clicked his tongue and added, “Because I’m here to participate in the solution rather than contribute to Washington’s problems.”

*****

  After Senator Tully departed, Michael met with four more members of their party. Each shared the same attribute as Victor—too powerful and stuck in their ways for the good of their voters. Most became compliant when he shared certain documentation of their corruption, but one had proved troublesome. After they left, Michael pressed a button on his desk.

  Robert’s voice responded from the next room. “Yes, Senator?”

  “Come in here. I need you to run an errand for me.” He leaned back in his seat and rubbed his temples. He did not enjoy this darker side of his work, but his assistant performed it with enthusiasm.

  In less than a minute Robert was seated before him. “What can I do for you, boss?”

  “Senator Canava from California isn’t playing ball and will need some convincing.” He pulled a file and slid it across the desk.

  “Here are a few of his key investors. Work them in the usual manner, giving incentives to pull their contribution pledges.”

  “What about his own special interests?”

  “His trust is tied up with real estate. The recent earthquakes will be a boon for him. Look for any large-scale purchases by these companies and then leak it to the major networks. Once he’s tied up with that investigation release this.” He handed Robert another file.

  The assistant took it, read it over, and clicked his tongue against his teeth. “That’s juicy, boss.”

  “I thought you’d like that.” He collapsed into his chair, exhausted by a morning of talking. “Were there any noteworthy calls today?”

  “General Braston called.” He pulled out his iPhone and read the message. “Funding pulled from Mendel and lab burned. Time to bring him to Andalon.”

  Michael leaned back, letting the meaning wash over him.

  Robert’s phone buzzed a second time. “That’s strange.”

  “What’s strange?”

  “He just sent another message. It says, ‘Adam ate the apple and doomed us all. Time is now.’ What does he mean?”

  Esterling felt his stomach lurch. It was too soon. He thought they had more time—years or decades even.

  “Clear my calendar for the rest of the week. Find me an immediate military flight from Andrews to Ramstein.”

  “Right away!”

  “And Robert...”

  “Sir?”

  Michael paused. This man deserved to know, didn’t he? Could he handle it? Of course not. None of them could. The world wasn’t ready for the same reasons its people fell as endless prey to men like Senator Victor Tully.

  Perhaps he and Jake could finally fix things after all.

  “Take the week off and spend it with your family. I... I appreciate your dedication over these years.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  Michael closed the door to his office and departed for the last time.