The Coalition: A Novel of Suspense (A Nick Lassiter-Skyler Thriller Book 2) by Samuel Marquis

Author:Samuel Marquis
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: A NICK LASSITER-SKYLER NOVEL
Publisher: Mount Sopris Publishing
Published: 2016-01-01T23:00:00+00:00

THURSDAY

CHAPTER 66

“YOUR CONCERNS ARE UNFOUNDED, GENTLEMEN. Phase Three is proceeding precisely according to plan.”

Even as the final word left his mouth, Locke could feel the liar’s phlegm seeping into his esophagus. But he had to lie; there was no alternative. Talking on his secure coded phone in his home office, he couldn’t allow the four Coalition Executive Committee members patched in on the conference call to think he’d lost control of Fowler. That would be admitting failure—and the Coalition had little tolerance for failure.

“We feel it’s a little more complicated than that, Mr. Chairman,” countered Skull Eyes, the former CIA man’s electronically distorted voice carrying the usual threatening undercurrent that sent shivers down Locke’s spine.

“On the contrary, the situation is well in hand. Our very generous contribution has been wired to the appropriate accounts and, in return, I have secured verbal assurances on the platform and cabinet selections. Nothing’s changed. Fowler’s kinder, gentler image is nothing but an act. She is trying to reassure the American people in a time of crisis and gain some goodwill beyond her base, so she can hit the ground running and have a clear mandate when she takes office.”

The phone fell silent as the men scrutinized his explanation. “So let me get this straight,” said Colonel Caleb Heston. “This new public image is merely a front? This glorification of Kieger and reaching out to the grieving widow are part of an act?”

“That’s why the speech in Denver on Saturday is so important. It allows Fowler to come across as a sympathetic mourner and representative of the people in a time of crisis.”

A.W. Windholz, head of United Broadcasting and the American Right-to-Life Foundation, posed the next question. “Can you tell us what specific commitments you’ve received from the president-elect?”

Locke knew he had to respond quickly or it would appear as though he was hiding something. “There are several. She plans to slash government spending, reduce taxes, and reemphasize our hegemony and exceptionalism in the world so that we’re no longer playing second fiddle to the Godless Mandarin. She holds zero-tolerance positions on homosexual parent adoption, flag burning, and public financing of the NEA. She backs a constitutional amendment banning abortion and embryonic stem-cell research. She wants to expand religious rights in public schools and plans to roll back restrictive gun laws. Most importantly, she’s committed to appointing federal justices and filling the vice-presidency and her cabinet with party loyalists who share our views. In short, she sees things our way on every major issue, just as she did during the primary.”

“What about the hiring of Dick Potter as a consultant?” the colonel asked.

“I don’t approve, but I’m not worried about it.”

“You’re not concerned that this might undermine the platform?” Windholz pressed him.

“Not particularly. I may disapprove of Dick Potter’s cavalier morality, but he’s a proven winner.”

“He’s also a damned liberal,” groused Skull Eyes.

“A more apt description would be chameleon. His politics change depending on the candidate and the situation.”

For the first time, Senator Dubois chimed in.

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