Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [50]
“That’s wonderful, Senator. I simply can’t tell you how much I admire your willingness to put America’s interests before that of your party.” Hugo resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Crane knew perfectly well that Collingsworth put his personal interests above all others, but he was quite comfortable working with that kind of guy.
“Will your senate or party leadership put up with this?” Crane continued, intentionally tweaking the senator’s pride, it seemed. “I mean it will be a huge slap in the face for the administration and cannon fodder for any senators tied to their coattails at the next election. This may be too much for even you to weather, Senator.” This was masterful, Hugo thought admiringly. Wellington is playing the senator like a harp.
“I am my own man, Wellington, and I call ‘em like I see ‘em. My weak-kneed friends will just have to deal with it. I was against Burkmeister long before he received the Republican Party’s nomination and even more horrified when he picked that commie whacko Clayton McCarty to be his running mate. No, my true constituents are the real Americans in our party, and I believe they are all in lockstep with me.”
“You are a brave American, Senator, and you can count on my support in all that you do. I’ll make sure you get all the national airtime you need to tell it like it is, and I have some very rich and powerful backers who’ll be glad to align with a man like you.”
Hugo was ecstatic as he contemplated the power, money, and access that Crane could bring to the table. Don’t blow it, Senator, he kept thinking to himself.
“Glad to help out, Wellington,” the senator replied. “Now, how do we get started?”
“If it’s all right with you, I’ll have my production manager get in touch to work out the logistics. I know it’s last-minute stuff, but if either of you have the time for a quick visit and a little Southern hospitality, I could have my private jet pick you up. I’m free this weekend, as a matter of fact, if you folks are available.”
Hugo was bursting with excitement at the prospect: A connection to Crane could prove useful once Collingsworth’s star stops climbing, he thought as the senator gushed, “I think we could both clear our calendars for a Saturday visit, if that would work for you, Wellington.”
“That’s wonderful, Senator. Perhaps we can even talk about our first road show. I’d be glad to host it in a Texas city of your choice. I’d envision it as sort of a large-scale town-hall meeting in a facility that could hold at least five thousand people. We’d use a panel format, moderated by myself, and the three panelists would be General Axman, Reverend Eastwood, and you. It would be a live show, played out to over twenty million of my loyal listeners, and you, Senator, would be the headline speaker.”
“This is great, Wellington. Count me in!”
After saying their good-byes, Hugo and the senator stared at each other, almost disbelieving the good fortune that had suddenly fallen in their laps. What better way to expose the Burkmeister administration for the fraud it was than a powerful media partnership? Who knows, Hugo dreamily thought, this might even be the catalyst that launches a presidential run for the boss. He was almost measuring the drapes for his new office in the White House.
17
The White House
22 September 2017
Clayton McCarty was working at his desk in the Old Executive Office when his secretary advised him the president was on the line.
“Good afternoon, Mr. President,” he said, noting that the time was 3:35 p.m. “It’s so nice to hear from you.”
“Hi, Clayton,