The Washington Trail: A Slade and Cork Mystery Thriller by Lou Aguilar

Author:Lou Aguilar [Aguilar, Lou]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Thrills
Published: 2024-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 29

The Post Pub was a cozy oblong bar three doors to the left of The Washington Post Building’s K Street entrance. Just before the end of the dayside shift at the newspaper, it was nearly empty. Slade sat in the right rear booth facing the door, a bowl of breaded onion rings on the table and a Dos Equis bottle in hand. He scanned the row of framed Washington Post front pages along the opposite wall: Kennedy Orders Blockade of Cuba, President Kennedy Shot – Feared Dead, “The Eagle Has Landed” – Two Men Walk on the Moon, Nixon Denies Role in Cover-Up. He was on Nixon Resigns when Phil Totter walked in.

Totter appeared dapper as ever in a gold cashmere V-neck sweater and khaki pants that contoured to his slim build. Long, graying brown hair topped his pale handsome face. Slade gave him a wave. Totter sat down across the table from him.

“You look the same, Phil,” said Slade.

“It’s getting harder to maintain that mirage. Damn grey hair is betraying me.”

“Buy you a beer?”

“Make it Coke. We’re on deadline.”

“You and Walter Desmond.”

“I still work under him,” Totter said. “In more ways than one.”

“He’s the Washington Post Gossip King.”

“Really ‘queen,’ but I’ll seize the crown someday. I just need the right exclusive.”

Totter looked intently at Slade. A cute short waitress appeared beside them. Slade indicated his companion.

“Coke.”

The waitress withdrew. Totter appraised Slade.

“So, you’re out of the Army for good, eh?”

“Yep,” said Slade.

“But still shooting bad guys.”

“Strictly return fire.”

“Yes, so I read. Well, Mark, you’re not only an old friend – you’re a new celebrity. Which just happens to be my beat.”

“And Nina Holt’s right now.”

“Right,” said Totter. “I saw her report on the Capitol Hill Sniper, and your Rock Creek Park adventure. She’s still quite beautiful. That has to sting.”

Slade shrugged.

“You know, I was jealous of Nina at Georgetown,” Totter said. “Having you for a boyfriend.”

“You would’ve been less aggravating.”

Totter smiled wistfully.

“Now she wants your sniper story too,” he said.

“She won’t get it.”

“Will I?”

“When it’s over, Phil,” said Slade. “In exchange for another.”

“Joan Russell.”

“You can save me hours of online research.”

The waitress returned, set a glass of Coke in front of Totter, and left. He took a sip.

“All you straight boys lusted after Zara,” he said. “And you ruined Joan Russell’s career. The role typecast her so she couldn’t get much acting work later.”

“She was great in Executive Sweat.”

“She spent half the movie naked.”

“The other half was pretty good too,” said Slade.

“In any case, she landed on her feet. Joan Russell Gardner may be the most influential woman in Washington who’s not holding office. Her husband has the money, but she basically controls it – and him. If you watch their joint appearances, you can see Adam defer to her in everything, like in a hostage video.”

“Is she cucking him?”

“Off the record – yes,” said Totter. “Currently with her tennis instructor.”

“How cliché. But why ‘off the record’? Sounds like juicy stuff – ‘Zara’s Newest Racket.’”

“That’s cute, ’cept our managing editor doesn’t want the Gardners tainted.

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