Vanishing Point - Marc Cerasini [56]
"David, I was worried you wouldn't get back in time for the event."
His stare remained fixated on the streets below. For a moment, Sherry thought he hadn't heard her. Then her husband spoke.
"Did you ever wonder what would have happened if there was someone at the Manhattan Project who realized the horror of what they were creating, and warned them against developing the first atomic bomb?"
Sherry frowned. "I think Oppenheimer did just that, David. It didn't matter. There was a war on. The bomb was created to end it."
David nodded. "But I wonder if there might have been another way."
Sherry touched his arm. She knew she had to be careful now. Ask the right questions without sounding like she was asking anything. If she pushed too hard, he would only pull back.
"You saw something today, didn't you David?" she probed gently.
Her husband's frown deepened. "You worried that I might make a decision that will come to haunt me?" he said. "That I'll do something to jeopardize my run for the White House."
"David, you know I just want what's best for both of us..."
He raised a hand to silence her. "I stopped something today," he told her. "Something so terrible that if I never do anything else, I've already performed a service to humanity."
Sherry shook her head. "I don't understand."
He faced her then, and smiled. "No you don't," he replied. "Consider yourself blessed that you don't."
"What happened, David?" she asked.
"Nothing, thank God," he replied. "In my capacity as head of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, I cancelled a research program that did not bear the results the Pentagon was expecting..."
"But David..."
"Let's leave it at that," Palmer said, wrapping his wife in his arms.
"All right," Sherry purred. "I know better than to push you for answers you're not willing to give."
"You smell nice," Palmer observed.
"It's the shampoo. I had my hair done for the banquet tonight. Or hadn't you noticed?"
"I noticed," he lied.
Sherry gave him a doubtful look. "You'd better get dressed yourself — after you take a shower. You smell like you just played the second half all by yourself."
David chuckled. "Maybe you'll be more receptive to my advances after I've cleaned up my act?"
Sherry slapped his butt. "Get in that shower right now. If we're late, Larry Bell will only use the time to upstage you again."
"I'm going," David replied, heading for the bathroom. A moment later, Sherry heard the water running. When she was sure her husband was in the shower, she lifted the phone and dialed Jong Lee's room. He answered on the first ring.
"This is Lee," he said.
"Mr. Lee, I have rather bad news for you. Whatever it was your company was working on, I'm afraid the project is about to be cancelled."
There was a pause. "You're sure, Mrs. Palmer?"
"Absolutely certain, Mr. Lee. I guess you won't have to retool your factories after all."
"Yes, that is true." Another pause. "Mrs. Palmer... Do you know if the demonstration was a success?"
Sherry frowned. "I believe it was, Mr. Lee. But the project is cancelled nevertheless."
"Good to know," Lee replied, hardly able to contain his glee.
"And that other matter we discussed?"
"Of course, Mrs. Palmer. Send Mr. Cohen to my suite in two hours to collect the funds. I shall have the package ready for him."
"Thank you, Mr. Lee. My husband's campaign appreciates your support."
Sherry hung up before the man could reply. Shaking with excitement, she went to the bar and poured herself a scotch. She swallowed it in a single gulp. She had to be careful tonight, hide her emotions. It was difficult, however. The thought of all that money in a secret fund made Sherry Palmer feel giddy. With five million dollars at her disposal, she could buy a lot of favors, and destroy a host of political rivals, too.
* * *
7:46:35 p.m. PDT
Bix Automotive Center
Browne End Road, Las Vegas
Men scattered