Deadly Disclosures by Julie Cave

Author:Julie Cave
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION/CHRISTIAN/SUSPENSE
ISBN: 978-0-89051-584-6
Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group, Inc.
Published: 2011-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

Washington, DC — 1999

Thomas Whitfield had barely struggled awake on a rare Saturday morning when he had absolutely no commitments and nothing to do except sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and read the paper. It was raining heavily and Thomas thought there was nothing better than the sound of rain on the roof.

At least, he had nothing to do except for the insistent pounding on his front door.

“Who on earth could that be?” Eloise wondered, hastily pulling on a robe while Thomas hunted for his own.

Damon Mason stood outside his front door, soaking wet.

Thomas opened the door and ushered him inside. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

Damon Mason shook himself out of his jacket, and Thomas was reminded of a large dog shaking the water from his fur after being in the rain.

They sat in the family room and Eloise brought in coffee.

“Normally I would have waited until Monday,” said Mason. “But the news is so exciting I couldn’t wait. What would you say if I told you that a high-profile position at the most prestigious museum has become vacant?”

“I would assume you’re talking about the Smithsonian Institution,” replied Thomas dryly.

“Exactly. Can you imagine yourself as the secretary of the Smithsonian?” Mason asked. His excitement was infectious. “You will be in charge of leading a renowned museum and research center which attracts millions of visitors each year. You will have an annual budget of over $900 million. Can you believe that? The best part is the research and scientific investigation programs that are undertaken there.”

Thomas did indeed know that the research program at the Smithsonian was enviable. For a scientist, having the freedom and funding to engage in these activities was akin to heaven. Being in charge of the research activities was even better, like being in charge in heaven.

But Thomas didn’t want to get ahead of himself. “Wait a minute, how did the vacancy arise? Has it been advertised yet?”

“The last one resigned,” explained Mason. “He was in his early seventies and it was getting to be too much for him. This is an important opportunity. The last secretary did a pretty good job, but he was a businessman and administrator and had been his whole life. His main passions were to balance the budget and have an organized desk. So if we could get a scientist, like yourself, into the chair with a passion for science and knowledge, then I think the institution would move ahead astonishingly. Given that the media are already quite comfortable with you, I think you could improve the profile of the Smithsonian as well.”

Thomas looked at the other man thoughtfully. Obtaining the position of secretary of the Smithsonian would legitimize his entire scientific career. He would no longer be the scientist that sometimes appeared on television but whom nobody really knew. He would be the key speaker, he would be respected for his position as well as his achievements, and he would no longer have to duke it out on silly televised and radio debates.

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