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By Root 1235 0

honorable, even if it costs my life. I have the data, the proof, the witnesses, and the floor of the House, but I’m on my own. Others, like him,” Palmer nodded at Robilliard, “have agreed to do nothing, to stand on the sidelines—a phenomenal display of courage, if I might say so. But they leave a path for their escape: their own deniability if things go wrong. They have given me access to the stage, but the performance is mine alone. Yet, even though I’ve laid my life and that of many others on the line, I can’t expose the rot that will eventually destroy our nation unless I’m granted security. This building is held by DHS personnel, and Odelle Marino will not be a party to her own destruction. All I need is a neutral zone secure for my witnesses and the select committee in which to present my case. Ms. Marino and Vinson Duran will be arriving shortly, unaware that their efforts to destroy the proof of their infamy have been in effective. As soon as they learn of it, she will order my arrest.”

The general’s brow creased. “She can’t do that.”

“This building is totally controlled by the DHS. She can and she will, and she’ll answer questions later. If there’s anyone to pose them, that is.”

The general shook his head again when Palmer stood and squared off with the warrior.

“General, there’s a reason why President Hurst refused to give you a direct order. You see, she’s also sorely aware of her limitations. She knows power has been leaching slowly from the constitutional seats for a long time and that a showdown like today’s would tip the balance. She further realizes that, even as Commander in Chief, this is an order she can’t issue. In fact, sadly, nobody in this nation can voice such an order.” Palmer changed the weight of his body to the other leg, hoping to forestall the unconscious shaking that threatened to become obvious. “I will go on the floor with the building secured or not, because I’m the only one who can do it. Call it a last-ditch effort. And you know the most surreal aspect of the whole sorry affair? The thing that singles out you and me? Even though nobody can legally issue the order, only one citizen can give it: me. And only one can obey it: you.”

For a long time, General Erlenmeyer stood rooted to the spot, two white circles slowly forming on his cheeks. “So help me God …” He lunged forward and, for an instant, Palmer flinched before the blow that never materialized. “Damn you to hell, Palmer.” The general pounced on the table with fury and swiped the sheet of paper from its surface. He turned on his heel and strode to the door. One hand on the handle, he looked back. “You have until noon.” Then he yanked the door open and slammed it shut in his wake.

“Well, I’ll be damned …” Robilliard leaned over, both hands flat on his desk. “He’ll do it. But instead of the Rubicon, he’ll march his legions across the Potomac!”

“I never doubted he would.” Palmer reached for his glass, covering his shaking hand with the bulk of his body so Robilliard couldn’t see through his lie.

“Good luck.” Robilliard raised his glass, took a sip, and then straightened. “Go on, spare me the misery. Why did Caesar do it?”

Palmer reached for his briefcase. “Because he was Caesar.”

chapter 55

09:30

“Stop the engine and step down, hands on your head.”

“What’s going on, Officer?” Henry Mayer leaned out the window, pasting a silly smile on his face.

“Stop the engine and step down, hands on your head. I will not repeat myself. Step down or I’ll open fire.”

Henry shrugged, nodded to Harper Tyler, and opened the truck’s door. Once on the ground, he obliged by placing both hands on his head, turning around to face the truck’s bodywork, and spreading his legs. To one side, two DHS FDU officers in full body armor took station ten yards away, helmets bristling with communications gear mated with shiny face masks. Their boxy assault weapons were trained on him. A couple of seconds later, Tyler walked around the front of the vehicle, shadowed by another hulk in carapace.

The police officer who had ordered them to stop in the