Fall of Knight by Peter David

Author:Peter David
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2006-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

ARTHUR, SEATED IN his study with the phone to his ear, listened to the ringing and was preparing to hang up upon receiving a voice-mail pickup. But then the phone was answered, and he instantly recognized the voice that responded with a brisk, “Cook here.”

“Cook,” said Arthur. “Are you free to talk?”

There was a pause, and Arthur could almost envision Cook’s brain processing the voice that was coming through his phone. Arthur was about to speak again, to prompt Cook’s recognition of him, when Cook spoke in a lowered voice. “Mr. President?”

“Once upon a time. If you need me to, I can call back at some later—”

“No. Good God, no. I’ve been hoping you would call.”

Arthur detected a note of urgency in his voice. “Has something happened, Cook?”

“Yes. It’s about Eugene Brady…”

“That’s who I was calling about,” Arthur said in surprise. “I…knew that his wife was ill, so I thought I would check up on her—”

“With all respect, sir, you don’t have to pussyfoot around with me. I know what you did. I know about the water from the Grail. Brady told me. He told me everything because he knew that I was one of the last people to see you and was hoping…well, he was hoping that maybe you’d check in with me. He needs to see you. Something’s happened.”

“What’s happened, Cook?”

“Long story short: His wife is fully recovered, and a businessman named Barry Seltzer wants to make you an offer that I, personally, think you should listen to.”

“Seriously?”

“Mr. President, there’s many things you can say about me, good and bad, but one thing I think we’re all agreed upon is that I never joke, ever.”

“And what sort of ‘offer’ does Mr. Seltzer care to propose?”

“I think you should hear it from him, sir.”

“Cook, I’m not in the mood for this. Tell me what’s going on.”

Cook paused, then said, “He wants to bottle Grail water and sell it to people all over the world.”

Arthur made him repeat it to make sure he had heard it properly, then let out a raucous, very unkingly laugh. “That,” he said when he was able to control himself, “is the most ridiculous idea…” Then, after a moment’s more consideration, he said, “Set up the meeting. This I’ve got to hear.”

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