In Richard’s case, he said his own team “was mindful of the fact that they planned to announced his resignation at the onset of Richard Royster’ death and the security breaches by the Secret Service. The White House decided that the afternoon of July 25 was the best window to slip in Richard’s announcement.
“Monday, after the events of the morning, made a lot of good sense, “ Richards said, “If you wait for the perfect time to do almost anything here, you are going to waiting forever and a day.”
And for many people, that breaking point traces it way back to the very people who are sacrificing in their personal lives. A White House official said.
“It is not surprising to see so many people leaving the White House now, since people are bound to hit their natural breaking points at this initial stage in the presidency.” said one White House official.
“Once the train has left the station, there is nothing you can do about, “ Westheimer said. “The person could come back as the resurrected Jesus Christ. It is not going to change the situation upon their leaving.”
“I don’t think it has anything to do with a post presidential election year as much as it does the time-honored Washington tradition that people demand the scalp-- and the more senior, the better--when something goes wrong,” Westheimer said. “It does not necessarily solve the whole problem, but it gets through the day, unless you are the scalp one.”
Dissent from Democrats does play a role, Westheimer added, given to a larger extent a big part of Reid’s playbook has been to blame the Republicans for politicizing controversies.
“Well, that doesn’t hold up the people criticizing you are Democrats themselves.” Westheimer said. “And that is what the Richard Royster’s murder non-survivable.”
The Washington Post headline on the morning of Tuesday, July 26, 1993 read
Larry Payne Wins Senate Approval as National Security Council Director
The United States Senate on Monday confirmed Larry Payne to be the next National Security Council (NSC) Director, installing a new NSC chief as the United States increases military action against Syria.
Mr. Payne, a former deputy assistant director who is President’s Reid’s choice to replace Chuck Reagal, was approved by a vote of 95 to 3.
The transition to a new NSC chief comes as Congress considers a number of national security issues, including a draft request by Mr. Reid that would formally authorize military action against the terrorist threats in Syria. Many lawmakers expressed reservations about the parameters of the authorization regarding the use of ground troops and its place with an existing authorization of military action.
Senator Gregory T. Kirkland, Republican of Ohio, who voted Mr. Payne, said, “Mine is a vote of no confidence in the national security decisions of the Reid adminstration.”
Senator Benjamin LittleJohn, Republican of Arizona and the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, called Mr. Payne “one of America’s most experienced national security professionals.” But he said he did not think Mr. Reid would put his full and confidence in Mr. Payne.
Payne will also inherit an air war in the Middle East, tensions in Bosnia, Croatia and Russia. The U.S. led bombing campaign against militants in Syria started in February and continues with more than 630 million dollars spent.
Payne has worked under 5 NSC Directors, including the last three, and owns a doctorate in engineering. He is “extremely adept at juggling complex problems, said Alexander Simms, who was Lewis Arnetta’s chief of staff at the CIA and Pentagon.
From Day One, Payne will have to deal with a possible threat of sequestration automatic cuts to the National Security budget set for October 1. The Joint Chiefs of Staff warned senators last week that reductions, which affect every facet of the programs but troops’ compensation could prevent the military from winning a war against a determined enemy and threat to national security.
“If we go back to sequestration, I think we are all in trouble, to be quite frank about it,” Reagal said. “There may be a dumb and dumber way to cut the huge defense budget, but I cannot think of one. Because you are basically cutting the least important thing that you do and the most important thing that you do by the same amount.”
“The result of sequestration is those programs for our military families and wounded warriors are now being cut at the same rate as the dumbest thing the department of Defense does,” Reagal said. “It is a travesty of sensible management and responsibility.”
Reid has called for an end to the sequestration, which would reduce military spending by $1 trillion dollars over a ten ( 10) year period. He will need cooperation from the Republican-led Congress to make it happen.
In March, Reagal and Arnetta’s appearing at a national security conference, complained about meddling in military affairs by White House staffers. Arnetta talked about military decisions being made without adequate input from the Pentagon.
Simms, who is advising Payne, dismissed concerns about White House staffers interference affecting Payne. Simms noted that Payne was chosen by President Reid to be Arnetta’s deputy and has known Debra Gray, the defense adviser, for years.
“He will not hesitate to pick up the telephone and call the White House if he has a concern,” Simms said.
“The major difference is that Payne has served for more than five years in two administrations”, Reagal said, “So he know this president; this president knows him. He knows all the principal players at multiple levels. They will be very familiar to him, and he to them. That will make a big difference in terms of working relationships.”
“Payne’s ties to the White House should serve him well, Reagal said.”
Simms and Reagal also stressed Payne’s strong commitment to getting troops the proper gear they need to survive in battle situations. Payne as deputy NSC director, helped shepherded efforts to speed up specially designed Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) trucks to Afghanistan for protection against homemade bombs. He also took an special interest in fielding bomb sniffing dogs to keep trucks on foot from stepping on bobby traps.
In several interviews dating back to 1988, Payne came across very focused and voluble. He would hold forth on training Labrador retrievers for combat and keeping assembly lines humming for MRAPS. Grant, an attack helicopter pilot with combat commands in both Iraq and Afghanistan, was a regular presence as a military adviser to Payne.
Payne has a a few critics in Washington, including the Group on Government Oversight and Accountability, a non-partisan, good government project group. They note that Payne has worked as a defense industry consultant between his NSC jobs and also served on boards that advised the government on policies with potential to benefit his clients, such as Aerospace, a major contractor.
Payne’s potential conflicts of interest was raised at his congressional confirmation hearing, said Richard Smalls, an investigator for the organization, “That was not a major issue for him to huddle over at all,” Small said.
CHAPTER FIVE
REQUIEM
-the requiem how be sung “By you-by yours, the evil eye,-by yours, the slanderous tongue” That did to death the innocent that died, and died so young?
Poems by Edgar Allan Poe
According to Merriam Webster Requiem is defined as a mass said or sung for the repose of a departed soul. In this case bode well in the developments of our story, we are referring to the departed soul of White House Counsel Richard Royster who passed on the Great Beyond last month. With the torrendous week of staff departures, Michael Cradle was active on the case.
One a clear and balmy day of July 26, Cradle is meeting with his Chief of Detectives at 9:00 a.m.
“How long you figure that this continue to go on?” Chief asked.
“What, this case?” Cradle responded.
“Yeah, and everything that goes along with it. You got a good deal here.” Chief said.
“I like these high profile cases to be solved.” “To answer your question, I plan to wrap it up in a next
couple of days.” Cradle said.
“Alright Mike, I will hold you to this.” “Maybe the killer does not wants to be found.” Chief replied.
“I am not following you.” Cradle said.
“Why else would a murderer lay low? People who get murdered makes their families feel guilty somehow. Like they were victims or all at fault in other words, you know what mean? You got any better answers?” Chief said.
“No I don’t Sir.” Cradle replied.
Then, Cradle walks out of his Chief’s office back to his own office. As he crosses the threshold, the telephone rings with an unfamiliar voice on the other end with a British accent.
“Hello, Detective Michael Cradle, It’s Inspector Edward Windsor of the New Scotland Yard.”
“I saw your murder suspect posting on INTERPOL’s website via your Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
INTERPOL is the largest international police organization with 190 member countries founded in 1914 at the first international Criminal Police Congress held in Monaco. Officially created in 1923 as the International Criminal Police Commission, the Organization known as INTERPOL in 1956. It’s role is to enable police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place.
INTERPOL’s high tech infrastructure of both technical and operational support helps meet the growing challenges of fighting crime. The General Secretariat is located in Lyon, France and operates 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
INTERPOL has also seven regional offices across the world and a representative office at the United Nations in New York. Each of the 190 countries maintains
a National Central Bureau staffed by its own highly trained law enforcement officials.
Transnational crime cannot be tackled in isolation anymore, its reach is wider than traditional law enforcement. Partnerships with other organizations and the private and public sectors are essential to tackle challenges in common areas as well.
While the vision and mission of INTERPOL remain in line with the original goals of the meeting in 1914, the Organization continues to evolve in response to the needs of its member countries, the emergence of new crime waves, trends and innovative in technology.
“Inspector Windsor, Do you have any leads for me in the case,” Cradle asked.
“Yes, I do. the murderer was spotted here in London a day or two ago,” Inspector Windsor responded.
“Thank Inspector Windsor for calling me to share this information with me.” Cradle said.
“We here at the New Scotland Yard are happy to assist our American counterparts in bringing fugitives to justice.” Inspector Windsor
“Inspector Windsor, I will see you in London very soon.” Cradle said.
Cradle hangs the phone with a brimming grin. “He says to himself I always wanted to go to London.”
Talking out loud, “I guess I need to get a bowler hat, and I will be right at home in London.”
Now, he walks down the hallway to his Chief’s office to inform him of his pending trip to London.
“Chief, I got a new lead on the Royster’s murderer being seen in London via a phone call from Scotland Yard.” Cradle said.
“Mike, I guess you will leaving for London today.” Chief said.
“ I getting over to London as quickly as possible and see if I can track him down.” Cradle said.
“ When do you plan to leave?” Chief responded.
“ I am leaving this afternoon for London Sir.” Cradle said.
“Alright Mike, I will see you in a few days for a full report on your trip.” Chief said.
“Thanks Chief, I will see you soon.” Cradle said.
Cradle walks back down the hall to his office to wrap up things for the day. He shuts off his computer and locks his desk since he will be gone for several days in London.
He proceeds to shut offs the ceiling light in his office and desk lamp in his office as well on his way out with the Richard Royster’s case file in his portfolio. Then, he catches the elevator down stairs of MPD headquarters, walks out of the backdoor to get into his Ford Crown Victoria parked on the street on a slant with the other detective's car parked as well.
He drives from 3rd and C Streets NW and merges onto I- 395 South, Take exit 7 on the left towards I-295 South, keeping left towards I-295 South. Exiting left to merge onto I-295 South towards I-95, I-395. Continuing on Indian Head Highway. Keeping left on I-95 North towards Baltimore. Next, taking exit towards Indian Head MD 210, keeping left on Indian Head Highway, turning right onto Old Fort Road. At the end of the road, he turns left onto Fort Washington Road and makes another left onto Warburton Drive.
Cradle drives up to his driveway and parks his car there. He rushes into his house to start packing immediately for his trip to London. Then, he decides to get a Blue Shuttle to Dulles International Airport instead of driving his own car and leaving it parked in a lot for several days with fees being upwards of $25.00 per day for each day it is parked there.
Cradle finishing packing his roller duffle bag, next places a call to the Blue Shuttle for pick-up for Dulles.
Cradle: “I would like to schedule a shuttle pick-up for Fort Washington, MD to Dulles Airport. British Airways gate please”
Dispatcher: “I can schedule you for pick-up Sir from your home to Dulles in 30 minutes.”
Cradle: “How much will it cost?”
Dispatcher: “It will be $30.00”
Cradle: “That is very reasonable, Go right ahead and book it.”
Dispatcher: “Great, How do you want to pay for it Mastercard, Visa or American Express?”
Cradle: “I will give you a Visa, here is my number 4156 3420 2081 2873 Exp Michael G. Cradle 02/1995”
Dispatcher:”Thank you Sir, You are approved.” “Your shuttle will be there in 30 minutes.”
Cradle hangs up the phone with Blue Shuttle, he starts the arduous task of packing for his overseas to London to track down the sightings of Richard Royster’s murder there. He goes to his upstairs closet and pulls out his Ralph Lauren leather duffle bag that was a gift from his son and daughter from Father;s Day last month.
He hurriedly packs shirts, slacks, ties,shoes and toiletries in the duffle bag. Enough clothes that he will need for a few days out of the country. It is now 2:30 pm and the shuttle should be arriving promptly at 4:00 p.m. Time is of essence. He calls up a neighbor next door to ask them to watch his house for a few days. Now, he see the Blue Shuttle heading the down the street towards his house.
Then, he proceeds to hang up the phone with his next door neighbor and rushes downstairs to his front door as the driver proceeds to blows his horn to announce he is there to pick him up.
The driver see him running towards him to board the shuttle and get out to open up the backdoor of the shuttle for which Cradle can store luggage on his trip out to Dulles International Airport.
Driver: “Good afternoon Mr. Cradle, now allow me to open the door for you.”
Cradle: “Thank you Sir.”
Cradle boards the shuttle and the driver speeds off enroute to Dulles. It is a hot and humid afternoon in the DC Metropolitan area, so the shuttle driver has his air conditioner to the maximum level for Cradle’s comfort.
Driver is bustling down 210 towards the exit for the Wilson Bridge. The traffic across the bridge is free flowing and no backups as he heads towards the famous mixing bowl in Springfield, Virginia in a matter of minutes. Now, as the shuttle gets closer to Tyson Corner and moves slower in the clogged inner loop of Beltway 495 rush hour traffic. The snarled traffic does not last long as the shuttle whisks towards the exit for the Dulles Toll Road. The time is only 5:00 p.m. now and Cradle will be able to catch an evening flight to London.
A few minutes later, the Blue Shuttle is pulling up to the British Airways gate. Cradle gets out of the shuttle, grabs his rolling Ralph Lauren[ duffle bag from the rear of the shuttle with the assistance of the driver.
Michael Cradles proceeds towards the British Airways ticket counter. The female ticket ag
ent greets him with a smile.
“How may I help you Sir.” She replied.
“I would like to purchase a round trip to London with a return date of July 30.” Cradle said.
“Okay Sir, I have a 6:30 p.m. flight to London.” She said.
“That works for me.” Cradle answered.
“The round trip ticket will cost $847.00” She said.
“Fine, here is my credit card and ID. Also, I am a DC Metropolitan Police Detective on a special assignment.”
“Detective Cradle is your tickets for your flight.” She responded.
Murder at the President's House Page 15
