Capital Offense

by Kathleen Antrim

  Huge fans sprang to life, ventilating the vapor-choked area.

  EIGHTY-TWO

  Washington, D.C.

  Three days later, Carolyn stood quietly in the Oval office. She had just returned from the hospital where the president had been transferred. Bright light streamed through the bulletproof windows. The tragedy at the chemical plant seemed surreal, she thought.

  Carolyn walked around the Resolute Desk. Like so many presidents before him, Warner had chosen to use the beautiful antique in the Oval Office. The light scent of lemon oil wafted up from the polished wood.

  She carefully sat down on the leather chair. Lightly, she ran a finger over the smooth top of the desk, then gripped the arms of the chair, feeling the leather give beneath her touch. Carolyn closed her eyes. Compromise had become a way of life, a method for survival.

  She twirled in the chair, letting her shoes slide off her feet as she spun around. The chair came to a stop facing the windows. Carolyn peered out onto the lawn from the highest office of the land. Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. She’d compromised so much that she wondered if she’d finally lost her soul.

  “Forgive me. Father, for I have sinned,” she whispered.

  Richard Young strolled toward the Oval Office. He smiled. Soon he’d raise his right hand and repeat the oath for the office of the president of the United States. And the beauty of it was that the taxpayers, and the United Stated government, courtesy of Warner’s rubberstamp on Carolyn’s War On Drugs task force, would pay for his final rise to the presidency.

  My God, it had been so simple. He’d had his own private army, thanks to Edmund Warner, and the Council. Now, he was the only general left standing. Soon to be the Commander-in-Chief.

  Without knocking, Young entered the Oval Office.

  ***

  Carolyn felt a kiss on her neck. She closed her eyes while wiping the tears from her cheeks.

  “Now you’re the acting president,” she said.

  “Acting president?” he murmur red against her skin. “For the moment. By tomorrow at noon, I’ll be the president.” He kissed her shoulder between sentences. “A written declaration from myself, the Speaker, and the senate leader has already been submitted to Congress.”

  “Will the doctors be done testifying?”

  “They’ll be done by midnight tonight. No one can realistically expect Warner to recover. Once his condition is confirmed, the vote will be expedited. I expect it at eight tomorrow morning. Plans are underway for my swearing-in at noon.”

  “Are you ready for this?”

  “Am I ready?” he asked. “Of course I’m ready. I’ve been planning this since Warner took office.”

  She stiffened with apprehension. The hair along the back of Carolyn’s neck prickled. She could no longer suppress the suspicions that plagued her since she’d learned of the chemical release. Suspicions that caused Richard’s words to keep replaying in her mind. “It’s time to take care of the problem.” And “Do you trust me?”

  Carolyn spun around to face her lover, his breath touching her cheek as she did so. “Constitutionally-”

  “The White House lawyers are following the letter of the law. After this hearing it’s up to Congress to decide if the president can perform his duties. The answer is obvious.”

  She eyed him thoughtfully. Gauging her words, her questions. Wanting to know the truth, but afraid of the answer. If what she suspected was true, what would she do? What could she do?

  “It doesn’t matter to you how you’ve achieved the office?” She knew she was baiting him, but she couldn’t help herself.

  He held her gaze. “Why should it? I would have been president if Warner hadn’t caused my son’s accident. I owed him on two accounts. He injured my son and, by doing so, he stole the presidency from me. This was my destiny, not his. Mine.” He lowered his voice. “He got what he deserved.”

  As vice president, Richard had possessed the necessary inside information, the kind of access to pull off the murders.

  Her worst fears confirmed, Carolyn’s breath caught. “But to kill-”

  Richard placed a finger over her lips. “This is a conversation we are not going to have. Not now, not ever.”

  Her pulse quickened. Fear, sadness, guilt and a multitude of complex emotions collided within her.

  Richard placed his hands on the tops of her arms. A lock of his dark hair fell across his forehead as he glanced down at her cleavage, then at her bare feet. He reached for the button on her shirt. “Looks like you started the job. Let me finish it.”

  “Was this the only way? I…” Panic rose in her chest. With her palms, she pushed lightly against him.

  He leaned back and gazed into her eyes. “You aren’t new to this game. The greater the prize, the higher the risk. I assure you that Warner understood the rules. Hell, he defined them.”

  “I’ve never thought of this as a game,” she said, stalling for time. How could she have thought that she loved this man?

  He shook his head as if scolding a wayward child. “You’ll feel better when I nominate you as vice president.”

  Shock coursed through her. “What?”

  “You’re the most popular political figure in our nation’s history. And Warner’s situation has turned you into an icon. I’ve turned you into an icon. And I can turn you into the first woman vice president of this country. I’ve already mentioned the idea at my earlier press conference.”

  My God, was he serious?

  “You’ll be able to write your own ticket. Mark my words. By tomorrow when your name is posed for the vice presidency, the country will go wild.”

  “I take it that you’re spinning the ‘carrying on my husband’s legacy’ rhetoric?”

  “Exactly.” He smiled as if she finally understood.

  Kissing him, suddenly seemed abhorrent. He was a murderer. No different from the rest. What did she expect him to do? She let him do this. She encouraged him. But she never dreamt he meant murder, even when he said he was going to ‘take care of the problem.’

  Carolyn understood machinations, but not murder. Naive, she was too fucking naive, just like Warner had said.

  Richard pulled her close, pressing her cheek to his chest. “We’re a team now.”

  She forced herself to relax in his arms, while her mind reeled. What was she going to do?

  The Washington Post

  May 12,2001

  President Warner Hamilton Lane Near

  Death!

  SAN JOSE – President Lane was critically injured Tuesday morning while touring the Sycon Chemical Repackaging plant. During the visit, toxic vapors were released, causing an exothermic reaction.

  Ten others were killed during the accident, including Senior White House Adviser Mark Dailey.

  Unofficial sources state that the president has not regained consciousness. Hospital doctors have refused to comment.

  Sources have confirmed that the emergency exhaust ventilation system at Sycon responded but that it started seconds too late. Sycon’s emergency response team entered the facility to find an unconscious president and Mr. Dailey wedged in a doorway between the chemical storage room and the reprocessing facility. Rescuers report that it appears that Mr. Dailey pulled the president out of the contaminated area shortly before succumbing to the chemicals himself.

  Four Secret Service agents, three corporate executives, and two members of the media collapsed on a catwalk, where they died.

  The area where the release occurred is under investigation by Fed OSHA. The cause of the accident is still unknown, but investigators have focused on the valve seals for the process piping. The facility has been closed until the exact cause can be determined. FBI sources said that this investigation will probably take weeks, if not months.

  In accordance with the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, Congress will hear testimony regarding the prognosis of the president. If it is determined that he is unable to execute the duties of his office, then Vice President Ric
hard Young will be sworn in as the 45th President.

  While President Lane is comatose, Richard Young is the Acting President in accordance with the constitutional line of succession.

  EIGHTY-THREE

  Carolyn closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the seat of the Secret Service Suburban. The smells of fresh leather and plastic told her that the truck was new.

  Lightning lit up the night sky. Thunder cracked.

  She shivered.

  While watching the testimony to Congress regarding Warner’s condition, she’d suddenly become certain of what she must do. But she had no idea of how it would all come out in the end. She was ready to place her own life on the line, but what concerned her were the other lives she knew she must involve.

  As the vehicle turned onto Swann Sheet the LCD display on the dashboard glowed the time: 1:17 A.M. Only street lamps and the Suburban’s headlights lit up the dark neighborhood at this early hour. The driver pulled to the curb in front of a townhouse. Carolyn had called thirty minutes earlier. She hoped they both were there, and that they would help her, for tonight was her only chance to correct the course of history.

  ***

  Jack arrived at Katherine’s home within minutes of Carolyn’s call. They hadn’t spoken since she’d told him about her run-in with the Secret Service.

  Her eyes met his when she opened the door.

  He could see the hurt etched in her features. although he knew she’d never admit to it.

  They sat in the living room. Even the cozy, overstuffed blue and white couch and chairs couldn’t dispel the combative mood in the room.

  Katherine sat across from Jack, her posture straight and unyielding.

  “I can’t believe you told Carolyn everything,” Jack began in a low voice. “Do you know that the Secret Service ransacked my hotel room, took all of my files, and my tapes?”

  “I’m sorry, but I didn’t think I had a choice.” Katherine cocked her head to the side. “Face it, Jack. You got what you wanted.”

  “And what was that?”

  “You wanted me to believe you. Well. I did. And I think we’re about to find out exactly how right you were.”

  EIGHTY-FOUR

  A Secret Service agent opened the car door and stepped aside. Carolyn hurried from the truck to the front door, praying the moonless night would cloak her arrival. She rapped twice, and the door swung open.

  Jack pulled her inside and quickly shut the door.

  Katherine stood beside him. “Take off your coat. I’ve got tea on.”

  Carolyn handed Katherine her wrap and moved to a chair in the living room. The curtains were drawn against prying eyes.

  Jack sat across from Carolyn. Katherine set the tea service and cups on the coffee table, then joined Jack on the couch.

  “I need your help.” Carolyn looked at both of them. “And after you hear what I’m asking, I want you to feel free to say no. This is my fight. I realize it’s not fair that I even ask for your help, but quite frankly, I don’t know whom else I can trust or turn to.”

  Katherine folded her hands in her lap.

  “What’s going on?” Jack asked.

  “It’s more of a question of what has already gone on.” Carolyn said. She explained that she’d discovered that Richard Young had orchestrated the accident causing Warner’s critical condition and Mark Dailey’s death. That he, too, was a member of the infamous Council.

  Katherine paled.

  Jack’s brow furrowed in concentration.

  They both remained silent.

  Carolyn explained how she had been set up and revealed her own mistakes along the way, including her affair with Richard Young, her use of Winston Cain to investigate various candidates, and her partnership with Mort Fields.

  Finally, she revealed her suspicions and how she had come to know of Young’s involvement. She ended by telling them how guilty she felt for not recognizing Richard’s meaning when he’d told her that he was going to “take care of the problem.”

  It seemed pointless to mention that Young had offered her the vice presidency, a place in history like no other – the first woman to hold the second highest office in the land. They would hear about it in the press tomorrow, she thought, but by then she would have destroyed that opportunity. So, she left it out.

  “I could have prevented these deaths had I understood. Now, I feel I must do something to make this right.” Carolyn paused. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes, horrible lapses in judgment.” She fixed her gaze on Jack. “Katherine told me that you suspected I was involved with these crimes.”

  He stared back. “That’s true.”

  “That’s why I asked you here, Jack. I believe I can prove my innocence, and show who’s guilty. But I need your help – and Katherine’s. I’m being completely honest in revealing my own faults because I don’t feel I can ask for your trust without giving you all of the facts to consider. If you have any questions, I’ll answer them as best as I can.”

  Jack sat for a moment searching Carolyn’s eyes.

  “You’ve done a pretty thorough job of explaining the situation. And, I have to say that my gut tells me to believe you.”

  “I’m stunned,” Katherine said. “But I believe you’re telling the truth.”

  Carolyn breathed a sigh of relief. When she formulated this plan, she’d realized that gaining their trust would be her greatest hurdle.

  “I do have a couple of questions, though,” Jack said.

  Carolyn met his gaze.

  “Why not go to the attorney general?”

  “For the sake of the country, this has got to be taken care of before tomorrow’s congressional vote. His hands are tied by the rule of law; he won’t be able to act quickly enough. If Richard Young becomes president, he will have the power to potentially squash this investigation.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” Katherine said.

  “Unfortunately, I’m not. I’ve seen worse happen. More than likely, Richard would come up with a way to neutralize me. So, we’ve got to preempt his ability to strike.”

  “I’m too cynical to question your reasoning,” Jack shook his head in disgust. “I assume you have a plan for exposing Young.”

  She nodded.

  “What do you hope to achieve?”

  “As a former prosecuting attorney, I don’t believe that we’ll be able to come up with the evidence necessary to actually convict Young. I do believe, however, that we can keep him from the presidency and remove him from office.”

  “He deserves to go to jail,” Katherine said. “If not worse.”

  “I agree,” Carolyn said. “But Richard’s a smart man. I doubt that there’s any direct evidence linking him to the murders. Also, once we make this public, this case will be tried in the media. It will not be a matter of right and wrong, or of finding justice, but a popularity contest that will depend on the talent of the spin-doctors and the attorneys. It’ll be a three-ring circus. The best we can hope for is to ruin his political career. That’s where Jack comes in. He has to be the voice of reason in the press.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be much help. I’m under a contract that’s not allowing me to publish anywhere.”

  “I’m aware of your situation, and by tomorrow afternoon I’ll have it handled.”

  Jack nodded.

  “I’ve given this a lot of thought,” Carolyn said. “In my professional opinion, the only way to beat Richard is to hit him with a surprise blow. Knock him off balance. He can’t have any time to react. And for the country’s sake, this must be done before he’s sworn in tomorrow.”

  “This will tarnish Warner’s legacy,” Jack said.

  He was too polite. Carolyn thought, to mention the damage she would also suffer. She smiled slightly. “No doubt. But I can’t worry about that now.”

  “What do you need from me?” Katherine asked.

  Jack stood, walked to the window, drew back a corner of the curtain, and looked out onto the street. “Katherine, y
ou have no idea what you are signing up for. Carolyn and I can handle this. It’s not your fight.”

  “That is such sexist bullshit.” Katherine said. “I don’t need a protector, so knock it off. I’m in, and I will not discuss it further.”

  Jack shook his head, but he remained silent.

  Carolyn leaned across the coffee table and put her hand on Katherine’s knee. “I’m relieved to hear it, because you are an integral part of our success.”

  The tea remained untouched between them.

  “How many Secret Service agents came with you?” Jack asked, while still watching the sheet.

  “Only one.”

  “Can you trust him?”

  Carolyn nodded. “Martin Riggs is the only one I do trust. Speaking of which, Martin has the files the Secret Service confiscated from you.”

  Jack turned from the window. His eyes narrowed.

  “Before we leave tonight, he will bring those in for you.” Carolyn said.

  Jack returned to his seat. “So, what’s the plan?”

  EIGHTY-FIVE

  Carolyn led Katherine through the White House and up to the private quarters. She glanced at her watch. It read 3:16 A.M. A shiver of apprehension ran down her spine, as they walked through the residence.

  They moved to the Treaty Room, which Warner had made his home office. Dark greens, burgundies, and navy wove through the furniture and draperies. Normally, the rich upholstery provided a warm and comforting environment, but tonight Carolyn’s world seemed black and white.

  “As a precaution, we’ll use Warner’s computer,” Carolyn said.

  Katherine sat at his desk.

  Carolyn locked the doors.

  Painted deep red, the walls provided a masculine backdrop for the mahogany and cherry wood furnishings.

  Katherine logged onto the Internet.

  “You’re sure you can retrieve deleted messages from my E-mail?” Carolyn asked.

  “Positive.”