USA, Inc. (A Mike Wardman Novel: Book 1)

by Larry Kahaner

  “Okay.” Al smiled. “Let’s go. What are you waiting for?” He headed for the door.

  “Just a minute. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Perfect. What’s going on? You got another deal like the one with the two guys? If so, I want in. That last one was a blast.”

  Mike squinted. His forehead furrowed.

  Al smiled. “What? What?”

  Mike pointed his finger. “Clothes?”

  “Now, you’re talking,” Al said, walking into the bedroom. “I am freaking starved.”

  Chapter 41

  The restaurant was nearly empty, which made it ideal for planning without prying ears.

  “I got a boat for tomorrow,” Mike said. “And scuba gear, too.”

  “Right, scuba.” Al laughed. “Seriously?” His lips trembled.

  “It’s no big deal,” Mike said. “It’s just like breathing regularly, except you’re underwater.”

  Al muttered to himself. “But I’ve never dived before,” he said, his voice higher.

  “It’s no biggie,” Mike said, putting his hands behind his head. “I can teach you all you need to know in about twenty minutes.”

  Al’s shoulders tightened. “I don’t know.”

  “We’re only going to be in water about twenty feet deep at the most. There’s no worries about bends or anything like that. If anything goes wrong, you can just come to the surface.”

  “Umm. What could go wrong?”

  “Nothing. Nothing can go wrong except, well … Just don’t worry, okay?”

  Al stared at Mike. His eyes widened, waiting for a response.

  “It’s just that Kane’s men, well, you know, they might shoot at us. But that’s only if they see us, which they won’t, because we’ll be underwater.” Mike motioned for Al to come closer. He whispered, “Don’t worry. We’ll have guns, too.”

  Al rubbed the back of his neck, let out a full breath.

  “And what about me?” Evelyn asked. “What’s my job?”

  “You’re driving the boat.”

  “But I’ve never done that before either,” she said.

  “It’s going to be a great day. Everyone learns something new,” Mike said.

  The conversation paused when the waiter brought their drinks. “And three steaks?” Mike asked, checking his guests. They nodded as they each gave their temperature order to the waiter.

  The waiter departed.

  Mike continued, “And what I meant by ‘it’s going to be a great day’ is it’s going to be a great night—we’re going in at dark, just like ninjas.”

  Al rolled his eyes. Evelyn smirked.

  Mike retrieved the keycard from his pocket and held it up to Al. “If my guess is right, Kane’s security company also handles security for his private property.”

  Al held the card at the edges and studied it. He got his smartphone from one pocket and a small white cube with a prong from another. He plugged it into his phone’s jack, swiped the card in the cube’s slit, and pressed a few buttons. Mike and Evelyn tilted their heads closer.

  “That’s good. Very good,” Al pronounced. “This will definitely help.” He sat back and drank his beer. “I also picked up the bugs. Very sensitive. State of the art. Mile range. Should be good to go.” He crossed his arms and put his chin out.

  They ate their meals in silence, the sounds of silverware tinkling against dishes the only noise in the room.

  Mike spread a small map on the table. “Here’s Kane’s place,” he said, pointing with his index finger. “It’s on this sharp peninsula, and you can get to it by road or by boat from either this creek or that one. I like this entry, because there’re more inlets and curves. Some buddies at Natural Resources tell me that he’s got guard boats patrolling a few hundred feet from the property.”

  He folded the map. “They also say there’s no fence around the property.”

  “So they rely on roving guards on land and water to keep people away?” Al asked.

  “That’s right,” Mike said. “The house itself is protected by …” His attention was broken by the waving bartender. “Be right back.”

  He went to the bar and returned with three steins of beer. “Like I was saying, the house itself is alarmed. That’s all we have to worry about.”

  “And guys with guns,” Al said quickly.

  One of the televisions flashed an alert and it grabbed Evelyn’s attention. “Look.”

  Mike and Al turned their chairs to watch the TVs.

  “Holy shit,” Mike said as he read the crawl.

  Someone in the bar screamed, “Turn it up,” and the bartender clicked the remote. Patrons placed cue sticks on tables, dancing stopped. People shushed each other. A few diehard sports fans whined about their games being preempted by the special report.

  The room went silent except for the CNN anchor.

  “We repeat,” she said, “the governors of Texas and California, in an unprecedented move, have announced that they will …” She clutched her earpiece … “We go live once again.”

  The two men stood behind podiums each displaying their state’s seal. “So we—my colleague from California and I—will present voters next week with a referendum designed to increase employment, raise our standard of living, and put our states on the road to a prosperity never before seen.”

  “Why the rush?” a reporter in the front row shouted.

  Governor Pike smiled. “We understand that most people don’t like change, but change can be good. In this case, it’s necessary to move quickly—but judiciously—if this is to work.” He looked over at Governor Rennert. “We realize that some people may be uncomfortable with the speed we’re imposing, but that’s the nature of the world we live in. We either move ahead or get left behind.”

  A few other reporters yelled questions. Pike ignored them.

  “Our plan is so simple that voters will not need a lot of time to consider it. They will vote yes or no. The details of the plan are here.”

  He held up a card with a website address. Reporters murmured.

  “Over the years, many voters have wondered why we don’t run government more efficiently, as if it were a business. We are responding to this request.”

  More noise in the audience.

  RUN GOVERNMENT LIKE A BUSINESS, TEX. GOV. SAYS, read the crawl.

  The camera aimed at Rennert. “Ladies and gentlemen, although we want to move swiftly, you should know that this idea has been shaping up over a long time. We believe it to be well-thought-out, fair, and it can work—if the voters want it to work. One of the complaints I’ve heard over my many years in government service is that campaigns are too long. The mudslinging is out of control, and negative ads from both sides poison the political process. We agree. That’s one reason why we’re bringing this to voters in a week’s time. The voters will read the referendum and decide. I have assurances from my board of elections, as does Governor Pike, that with electronic voting machines, we can have voting booths set up at all precincts without any problems.” He held up a piece of whiteboard with a website address. “I ask the people of California to go there, read for themselves what we’re offering. It is without precedent. Some would say it’s radical, but it’s the best idea in government since the founding of this country.”

  The camera panned back to Pike. “I know you have questions, and they’re all answered on the web page. Let me close with this candid and frank comment. We all know that government isn’t working. The parties bicker, stab each other in the back. This is an opportunity to put government back in the hands of the citizens, the way the Founding Fathers envisioned.” He stopped abruptly and looked up. “Let me correct that. The Founding Fathers really didn’t trust the electorate, which is why they established the electoral college. They never intended our government to be one of direct representation.”

  He moved to the left of the podium and walked closer to the audience. “We’re going to fix that in Texas and California. This plan puts government directly u
nder the control of every single, solitary citizen. No ifs, ands, or buts. Thank you.”

  Mike watched the bar crowd, their mouths open, checking their phones, tapping out messages, staring at each other in disbelief. Someone shushed the crowd again as they watched the crawl. EIGHT GOVERNORS FOLLOW CA & TX LEAD. NO RESPONSE FROM WHITE HOUSE.

  As each state’s name inched across the bottom of the screen, the crowd roared. When Maryland appeared, people screamed. Some cursed, others cheered. Small knots formed with people clinking glasses. Other groups debated the issue with voices raised, faces getting redder. A few people sat by themselves with their heads down.

  “Texas and California taking the lead,” Mike said. “How about that?”

  Evelyn raised her beer stein. “To learning new things.”

  Chapter 42

  Mike, Evelyn, and Al strolled the aisles of a sporting-goods store, the first customers of the day, picking up some last-minute gear. The haggard-looking, possibly hungover clerk was clicking channels on his little white TV set with rabbit ears on the counter when the president came on the screen.

  The chief executive strode across the river, where he gripped the sides of the podium, smiled at a reporter in the front row, cracked a joke with another, and then looked earnestly into the camera.

  “My head aches,” the clerk said, as he turned the volume down.

  “Turn it up,” said Evelyn. The cashier mumbled something and made the sound louder.

  “My fellow Americans, you have no doubt seen or heard about the unprecedented announcement by the governors of California and Texas, later followed by governors of eight additional states, that they were going to ask their voters to choose a new kind of government for their states.” He paused. “After consulting with the attorney general and others, we have determined that this is a states’ rights issue, and as such, the executive branch has no role to play or official position to take.”

  The camera panned in.

  “The Constitution of the United States offers states the ability to choose their own form of government, provided it adheres to the law. I want to make something crystal clear, because I know that many Americans are concerned about this. In no way, shape, or form are these actions a type of secession. Let me say this again, so it is perfectly and absolutely understandable. These states are not seceding from the union, which would be illegal. They remain states as envisioned by the Constitution and shall remain so. I have talked to all the governors, and have their assurances that secession—or anything akin to it—is simply not part of the discussion.”

  “What’s this all about?” asked the clerk. “We going to war or something?”

  Mike and the others ignored the question. The president moved back from the podium and nodded at his press secretary. “I will take a few questions. I will keep my answers short. As you might imagine, I have some meetings to attend today.”

  A reporter in the first row asked, “Mr. President, do you think these moves will be seen by terrorists and others who would do this country harm as a weakening of our national resolve?”

  “Let me be clear on this point. The union is intact. The federal government is operating as usual, and I would advise anyone who thinks that this is a sign of weakness to think again. We will not hesitate to answer any threat or belligerent action with an appropriate and measured response. And to our allies and others, let me say this: The United States is, and always has been, a nation made of individual and autonomous states, each of which has great latitude in how they run their jurisdictions. Granted, this is new and different, but it does not change the standing of the United States among the world of nations. In fact, it may make it even stronger. Anything that makes states more viable can only help to strengthen the union.”

  “We’re having another civil war,” the clerk said. “Right?”

  Mike focused on the president. Another reporter asked, “Do you see this as a rejection of the federal government?”

  “Let me remind everyone of their history. The federal government has its role defined by the Constitution. The states have their defined roles, as well. In addition, any powers not given specifically to the federal government are automatically given to the states. For example, the federal government does not issue driver’s licenses. This is a state’s job. The federal government does not tell states how to set building codes. Again, this is given to each state. In this specific instance, the federal government does not order states how to set up their form of government—with a few caveats from the Constitution—so that right is reserved by each state.

  “I will take one more question,” the president said. Amid the loud voices, he pointed to a man in the back row.

  “Mr. President. With all due respect, sir, was your office blindsided by these announcements? Were you aware of what the governors were planning?”

  The room fell silent.

  The president stared at the camera, cleared his throat. “Over the past months, several governors and I have had private meetings, and they assured me that they were not doing this because of any shortcoming from the federal government or any dissatisfaction with federal regulations, especially those concerning taxation, the environment, work safety, wages, or any other issue. Some have couched this as a federal versus state matter, that this is a referendum on their relationship with the federal government. That is simply not the case.”

  The president thanked the crowd and walked off the stage. The press secretary took his place at the podium. “Quiet down, please. Please. Please. The president has asked me to tell you that any questions should be directed to the governors of the ten states for further information about their plans. Thank you.”

  The clerk threw a few aspirin into his mouth and washed them down with coffee. “Man, my head is killing me. What’s this all about? We going to war?”

  “No war.” Mike lifted coils of rope, waterproof bags, small flashlights, and various other items on to the counter. The clerk scanned them and whispered the price. “You guys going camping?”

  “Fishing,” Mike said. “See what we can catch.”

  Chapter 43

  “Here’s a perfect spot,” Mike said as he stopped the boat in a narrow creek. He watched herons on the shore eye him and his crew. Tall grasses waved back and forth. A hawk circled above. “We can stand in the water here,” he said to Al.

  Mike leaned over the gunwale and stabbed his hand in the water. “It’s a little chilly, but the wetsuits will keep us warm. Your body heats the thin layer of water between you and the rubber. It acts like insulation once you’re in the drink.”

  Mike knew that Al would love the geek factor in all this gear, and he was right. He was counting on it. He stripped down to his bathing suit and stepped into the rubber suit. Al mimicked his moves.

  “So the first few minutes, you’ll be cold?” Al asked.

  “Right. And the more you swim, the more comfortable it gets. It’s ingenious. Let’s go.”

  Mike jumped into the creek. The soft bottom sucked on his booties. His student followed, and they were both in up to their necks.

  Evelyn tossed them masks and snorkels, and Mike illustrated their use.

  “Lie on your stomach. The suit will give you some buoyancy. Do slow and measured breathing through your mouthpiece. Some people feel claustrophobic, but that’s just a mind issue. If you get water in your mouth, blow it out the snorkel really hard.”

  Al did as he was told, and after a few tries, he was floating comfortably around like a whale, shooting streams in the air.

  “I did it!” he said, as he stood and removed his mask.

  “Now for the fun part,” Mike said as he motioned for Evelyn to hand him tanks and belts. He loaded a tank onto Al’s back, brought the mouthpiece to the front. “This is the regulator,” he said, holding the metal gadget in his hand. “It reduces the pressurized gas in the tank and delivers it to you at the same pressure as the depth you’re diving. You don’t need to be concerned about it because we’re o
nly going a few feet down. There’s not going to be any pressure difference from the surface. Do the same thing you did with the snorkel. Breathe through your mouth, and if you get water in your throat, just blow it out the same way.”

  Al floated, his face down, breathing from the tank. Mike pulled him around in a circle for about ten minutes before tapping him on the back.

  “Sit on the bank and put these on,” he said, handing him a pair of fins.

  Al walked to Mike and fell face down in the water.

  “I forgot to tell you to walk backwards.” Mike buckled a weight belt around Al’s waist. “These help you go from buoyant to neutral, so you don’t bob to the surface. Ready?”

  Al said something that Mike couldn’t make out because of the nasally pitch from the mask. He signaled to Al to pull his mask up to his forehead.

  “Is now a good time to tell you that I don’t know how to swim?”

  “What?”

  “I never learned. I’m a city kid.”

  Evelyn howled.

  Without missing a beat, Mike said, “Just move your hands in a breaststroke, like this, and kick your feet slowly up and down. You should be okay.”

  “Uh, all right.”

  Al disappeared for five minutes and arose next to the boat. “Wow. It works. You can’t see anything for all the dirt in the water, but it’s cool. I like it.” He dove again and reappeared about fifty feet downstream, got his bearings, and dove and reappeared next to the boat. “Practice on your own, and we’ll be back in a few minutes.” Mike returned to the boat.

  Al gave a thumbs-up and dove. Mike watched as bubbles formed a trail away from the boat.

  “Your turn,” he said to Evelyn. “You insert the key and press this button.” The engine came to life. “This is the throttle,” he said, pointing to a metal lever with a white ball on top. “It’s like the gas pedal on your car, except that this way is forward, neutral is in the middle, and backwards is reverse. The further you push it, the faster you go. The steering wheel works just like your car.”