Chapter 28
After much debate, a little give and take, a considerable degree of Witness Security Program policy and procedure flexibility, and an overwhelming sense of self- righteousness, Schwartz leaned back into Nick’s leather chair and exhaled a sigh of relief.
“Marshal Schwartz, do you really think this will work?” Sylvia asked. “It just seems like we’re leaving a lot up to chance.”
Before he could answer, O’Neil responded for him. “The only thing we can completely control is ourselves. We try to manipulate the environment and hope the other players react the way we want them to react. But, no, there’s no guarantee it will go exactly like we planned. We just improvise when things go off script and keep a cool head.”
“Remember one important thing,” Schwartz added. “The best laid plans will have unexpected bumps and curves. And, yes, sometimes they unravel all together, so the cool heads part is what we need to focus on. If anybody feels too uncomfortable with this plan, now’s the time to speak up.” Schwartz and O’Neil scanned the room and tried their best to read the faces of their new recruits, or as Vincent dubbed them, “the Pine Valley Posse.”
Andy O’Fallon sat hunched over on the couch while Sylvia rubbed his upper back and whispered something inaudible in his ears. Andy’s head rocked up and down as though he agreed with whatever she said, but his nail biting and furrowed brow suggested he held onto some reservations. Nick and Shauna momentarily held hands, giving each other a firm squeeze and exchanging smiles. Vincent, kneeling by Nick and Shauna, rose to his feet and placed his hands on his hips.
“Well I, for one, am damned excited about this!” he said with a reassuring grin that relayed nothing bad could possibly happen. Nick admired Vincent’s uncanny ability to put people at ease, but his parents caused him to have some reservations. “We’ve got the U.S. government on our side, we’ve got a damn fine plan, and most of all, we’re doing the right thing. We can’t miss.”
“There are no absolutes,” Andy added. “Not to mention, we’re also going against the U.S. government.”
“Hey, let’s be fair,” Schwartz countered. “We don’t know who we’re up against, but we know what we’re going to do. Having a game plan to follow is more than half the battle.”
“I concur with Deputy Schwartz,” Vincent added.
“That’s easy for you to say,” Andy replied. “You’re not getting used as bait.”
“Come on, Andy,” Vincent said. “Bait’s a little strong, don’t you think? The Marshals are the ones taking the real risks here. We’re more periphery players. The odds are definitely in our favor.” Nick grimaced at this last comment, waiting for his father’s response.
“Tell me we’re going singing and dancing in time’s square when this is all over, but save the odds crap for another guy, would you?” Andy replied with his head in his hands.
The Bernie Factor Page 34
