Read Online The Labyrinth Campaign by J. Michael Sweeney - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: J. Michael Sweeney
Ads: Link
I knew we could reach some sort of mutually beneficial arrangement,” Carlos said, smiling and sitting back down.
For the next hour, Will and Carlos discussed the types of events that would maximize impact and news coverage. The events they discussedwere on a much larger scale than Will had originally envisioned but on a scale that was, in both their minds, ultimately necessary. The number of accidents was also discussed. One tragedy would be seen as just an isolated accident, two, a terrible coincidence. Three would generate the type of news coverage that would significantly benefit the campaign. But four unrelated, yet tragic, ecological disasters would spawn a worldwide outrage that President Hughes could never recover from.
As they talked, a corner of Will’s mind recoiled at how this had gotten so big, so fast. Yes, it was his idea to create some ecological hurdles for President Hughes, but his visions of hurdles were nothing like what he found himself agreeing to at this very moment.
When the two men were through with their discussion, Carlos told Will, “Now you must trust me and let me do my work. We should minimize contact to ensure neither of us is ever linked to these coincidental accidents.”
“I agree,” Will stated, “but I must know the final plan in order to fully capitalize on the opportunity. You can always reach me on my secure office phone at this number.” Will handed Carlos a slip of paper.
The two men stood, and after an awkward pause they hugged, knowing that they would probably never see each other again.
As the stretch Suburban transported Carlos back to the Wildcat Ranch’s private airstrip, Carlos Pendrill couldn’t help but laugh out loud. The naiveté of Will Hawkins amazed him. Soon he would be in control of the next president of the United States.
At that same moment in a small, dingy office in Portland, Oregon, Ray Langston, Will Hawkins’s chief Democratic competitor, was meeting with his top aides. Langston was a native Oregonian, a high school and college track star, and a Rhodes Scholar. He had chosen politics as his career to make a difference. His current position as minority whip in theUS House of Representatives had catapulted him to the top of the Democratic candidate list … but that was prior to the entry of Will Hawkins.
Langston was a visionary politician. He too was very concerned with environmental issues and had a well-thought-out vision regarding the economic direction the country should take in the coming years. But today’s conversation wasn’t centered on either of those two subjects. Today’s subject was money. The Langston campaign budget was extremely tight, and the group sitting around the conference room table was discussing the options.
“I just don’t see how we can keep up,” claimed an exasperated John Baxter, Langston’s campaign chief.
“I agree,” added another Langston aide. “The Hawkins pockets are just too deep.”
Langston silently leaned back in his chair. He asked, “Are you telling me we should throw in the towel?” His question was met with silence and the bowing of heads. “I guess that’s answer enough,” he said. “Well, gentlemen, it’s disappointing that we weren’t even able to fight the good fight, but I’d have to agree. We just don’t have the resources to compete with Hawkins. And while he and I have had our differences over the years, I do believe his policies and mine have more consistencies than differences. So if you are all in agreement, I’ll make the announcement tomorrow that we’re pulling out of the race and throwing our support to the Hawkins camp.”
Langston’s aides silently left the conference room, leaving him alone with his thoughts. As Langston pondered the situation, he cursed Will Hawkins’s family money and the fact that his race to the Oval Office was over before it ever got started.
seventeen
C arlos Pendrill and Jorge Castilla, his confidante, bodyguard, and enforcer,
For the next hour, Will and Carlos discussed the types of events that would maximize impact and news coverage. The events they discussedwere on a much larger scale than Will had originally envisioned but on a scale that was, in both their minds, ultimately necessary. The number of accidents was also discussed. One tragedy would be seen as just an isolated accident, two, a terrible coincidence. Three would generate the type of news coverage that would significantly benefit the campaign. But four unrelated, yet tragic, ecological disasters would spawn a worldwide outrage that President Hughes could never recover from.
As they talked, a corner of Will’s mind recoiled at how this had gotten so big, so fast. Yes, it was his idea to create some ecological hurdles for President Hughes, but his visions of hurdles were nothing like what he found himself agreeing to at this very moment.
When the two men were through with their discussion, Carlos told Will, “Now you must trust me and let me do my work. We should minimize contact to ensure neither of us is ever linked to these coincidental accidents.”
“I agree,” Will stated, “but I must know the final plan in order to fully capitalize on the opportunity. You can always reach me on my secure office phone at this number.” Will handed Carlos a slip of paper.
The two men stood, and after an awkward pause they hugged, knowing that they would probably never see each other again.
As the stretch Suburban transported Carlos back to the Wildcat Ranch’s private airstrip, Carlos Pendrill couldn’t help but laugh out loud. The naiveté of Will Hawkins amazed him. Soon he would be in control of the next president of the United States.
At that same moment in a small, dingy office in Portland, Oregon, Ray Langston, Will Hawkins’s chief Democratic competitor, was meeting with his top aides. Langston was a native Oregonian, a high school and college track star, and a Rhodes Scholar. He had chosen politics as his career to make a difference. His current position as minority whip in theUS House of Representatives had catapulted him to the top of the Democratic candidate list … but that was prior to the entry of Will Hawkins.
Langston was a visionary politician. He too was very concerned with environmental issues and had a well-thought-out vision regarding the economic direction the country should take in the coming years. But today’s conversation wasn’t centered on either of those two subjects. Today’s subject was money. The Langston campaign budget was extremely tight, and the group sitting around the conference room table was discussing the options.
“I just don’t see how we can keep up,” claimed an exasperated John Baxter, Langston’s campaign chief.
“I agree,” added another Langston aide. “The Hawkins pockets are just too deep.”
Langston silently leaned back in his chair. He asked, “Are you telling me we should throw in the towel?” His question was met with silence and the bowing of heads. “I guess that’s answer enough,” he said. “Well, gentlemen, it’s disappointing that we weren’t even able to fight the good fight, but I’d have to agree. We just don’t have the resources to compete with Hawkins. And while he and I have had our differences over the years, I do believe his policies and mine have more consistencies than differences. So if you are all in agreement, I’ll make the announcement tomorrow that we’re pulling out of the race and throwing our support to the Hawkins camp.”
Langston’s aides silently left the conference room, leaving him alone with his thoughts. As Langston pondered the situation, he cursed Will Hawkins’s family money and the fact that his race to the Oval Office was over before it ever got started.
seventeen
C arlos Pendrill and Jorge Castilla, his confidante, bodyguard, and enforcer,
Similar Books
