One Man Two Votes (The Robert Carlton Series Book 1)
Page 44
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispered in his ear. “It’s so exciting, and I got so many congratulations from people who couldn’t be here.”
“Thanks for putting this together. It’s great.” Being congratulated felt nice, but Robert didn’t get much out of soirees such as these. He was genuinely glad that Tracie and the boys were home, though, so he was willing to go along with her celebration.
“Oh, it’s just a little thing.” Tracie brimmed with self-satisfaction. There was a short pause as they looked over the happy throng. “Your father is here, by the way. In the study.”
The air quietly left Robert’s chest. It was a reflex reaction. Without a word, he let go of Tracie’s arm. Robert walked the few feet toward the office door and entered, closing it behind him. His father stood admiring Tracie’s gallery of trophy photos.
“Congratulations Robbie, you’ve done well.” He didn’t turn around.
“Thanks.” Robert answered neutrally.
“Despite the fact you took too many chances,” his father continued. He turned to face Robert, the ice tinkling in his scotch. “What were you thinking? One minute you’re not being aggressive enough, and the next you’ve gone in over your head. You went too far, Son.”
Robert stood silently, thinking about the picture of his father’s yacht.
“I raised you to be better than that,” Robert Carlton, senior, admonished. “You got lucky, and it paid off, but you need to be more careful from now on. Smarter would be better.”
Robert felt a surge of adrenaline, but it was a different feeling than he’d had when his father berated him in the past.
“You need to understand…” his father was saying, warming to his theme.
“No, Father, you need to understand.” Robert was almost shocked to hear his own voice sound so commanding. He went on before his father could respond. “I could have implicated you. You were sloppy, and you exposed yourself in a criminal capacity. It’s clear that you had a significant hand in this, and I have the proof.”
Robert casually took a sip of his champagne, before continuing. “I have video that implicates you in a bribe on your yacht. Don’t bother denying it, or trying to explain your ‘business’ dealings. It’s quite clear that you hung yourself out to dry on this one, but you should be grateful that I didn’t follow suit, and nail you with the crime.”
His father was seething, his knuckles white on the scotch glass. “Meaningless!” He spat out at Robert. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You wouldn’t be able to get any mileage out of your video, or anything else. You don’t have that kind of power.”
Robert’s heart was racing. He was still a little amazed at his own audacity, but his anger pushed him onward. “I don’t think your board of directors and those lobbyists who fill your pockets would be happy to see that video, or the bad publicity that would come with it. It isn’t likely that you’d keep your position in the current business climate, with a scandal like that exposed. That will be especially true when the story breaks on Senator Farrell, and when the President’s aide resigns. You got what you wanted, Father. By the way, Gregg will be resigning immediately.
You should remember that I saved you, Father; that has me thinking that I should see a lot less judgment coming from you, and a little more gratitude.” He wanted to say more but didn’t dare.
From the moment Robert had realized that his father had orchestrated this operation, he’d wanted to blurt out a speech full of righteous indignation. The President had decided to take down his own system, and with Robert’s father’s help he had done it. In the process they’d gotten rid of key opponents of the President, and left a trail of fall guys and victims for Robert to find. With the adrenaline surging through his veins Robert couldn’t trust himself to say more. He clamped down on his jaw, and held his champagne glass tightly.
Robert’s father lowered his glass to within an inch of the desk slowly and deliberately. He paused, and then said unsmilingly, “So, you’ve decided you’re a man. About damn time, but you should be careful whom you go up against. You got something out of this—don’t forget that.” The glass came down on the desk with a thump.
“Yes, I did, Father. And it seems that you should be careful, as well, since I have a much better understanding of you and the President. I’m holding some cards that neither of you would like laid on the table,” Robert told him.
The two men glared at each other. Robert felt seconds tick away as though they were hours. His father finally turned, and walked out of the room without another word.
Robert stood with his heart pounding in his head. The champagne glass was still clenched in his hand. He put it down on the desk, and found his hand was shaking a little.
Grady confidently came through the open door with a bottle in his hand. “Some party out there, Robert. Congratulations! Run out of champagne in that glass, yet?” His glowing smile warmed the room instantly, and Robert immediately felt better.
“Yes! Thanks.” Robert said.
Grady dumped some champagne into Robert’s glass. “You ought to taste some of the food out there,” Grady told him. “Those friends of your wife know how to put out a spread.”
Robert’s face broke into a smile. “Yes, Tracie and the Kennedy Center Hostesses throw a great party.”
The phone rang loudly on the desk.
“Excuse me just a second, Grady. Don’t move.” Robert leaned over and grabbed the phone. “Robert Carlton. Yes, Mr. Secretary. Yes. Certainly. The day after tomorrow?” There was a gap as Robert listened and Grady emptied his glass. Robert gestured for him to hang on another second. “Of course, I’d be glad to represent us. Debriefing with your staff tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. I’ll be there.” Robert hung up.
“That was quick. Not much on pleasantries.” Grady commented.
“Vance never is.” Robert said thoughtfully.
“Secretary of State Vance?” Grady almost dropped the bottle. “Wait. Seriously, that was Secretary Vance? What’s going on? Why would he be calling here?”
Robert didn’t answer for a moment. Something was clearly churning in his brain. “Grady, how would you like to take a trip to the Caribbean?”
“Sure, when?”
“The day after tomorrow.” Robert smiled. Grady choked on his champagne. “I’d like you to be the liaison to an investigating team I’m setting up.” Robert grinned. “I could use your help.”
“Mind if I freshen my drink first?” Grady was smiling. “You know I’m still assigned to the Pentagon. What’s this team of yours going to do?”
“I’ve just started thinking about this, but I’d like to form a multi-departmental team with members from the NSA, the Pentagon, and the DOJ. This won’t be the last time we have an investigation like this, so it’s clear to me that we need a group that has the connections to get answers.”
Grady’s face changed, and he groaned. “Wait a minute, Robert! I seem to remember that the last time you asked for my help, I ended up in some explosive situations. Are we talking about that kind of investigating?”
“I’m not making any promises, Grady,” Robert laughed, “but one thing I know is that you’re the guy I can trust with state secrets. I’ll tell you all about it, if you’re willing.”
Grady stood still for a moment, considering. “Well, it’s probably better than the desk duty I’ll end up with. I’m in, but let’s try to keep the super-spy stuff to a minimum, okay?”
“You’ve got a deal.” The two men clinked glasses. “Let’s go back to the party and try to forget the last couple of weeks,” Robert told him.
Grady shook his head, and laughed. “Robert, I suspect that the only thing I’m likely to forget is how much trouble you’re going to land me in this time.”
Robert and Grady return in
Two if by Land
Three by Sea
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Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80