“I can’t believe it.”
Attorney General Gatlin said, “Lonergan believed it, and he was probably killed to stop this information from getting out.”
“What do we do now?” Chief Justice Graves asked. “How do you ask the President of the United States if he’s killed half a dozen people?”
“That’s a good question. Impeach him? Arrest him? Throw him in jail?”
“Before we do anything,” Attorney General Gatlin said, “I think we have to present this transcript to the president himself and give him an opportunity to comment.”
There were murmurs of agreement.
“In the meantime, I’ll have a warrant for his arrest drawn up. Just in case it’s necessary.”
One of the men in the room was thinking, I’ve got to inform Peter Tager.
Peter Tager put the telephone down and sat there for a long time, thinking about what he had just been told. He rose and walked down the corridor to Deborah Kanner’s office.
“I have to see the president.”
“He’s in a meeting. If you can—”
“I have to see him now, Deborah. It’s urgent”
She saw the look on his face. “Just a moment” She picked up the telephone and pressed a button. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, Mr. President Mr. Tager is here, and he said he must see you.” She listened a moment. “Thank you.” She replaced the receiver and turned to Tager. “Five minutes.”
Five minutes later, Peter Tager was alone in the Oval Office with President Russell.
“What’s so important, Peter?”
Tager took a deep breath. “The Attorney General and the FBI think you’re involved in six murders.”
Oliver smiled. “This is some kind of joke…“
“Is it? They’re on their way here now. They believe you killed Chloe Houston and—”
Oliver had gone pale. “What?”
“I know—it’s crazy. From what I was told, all the evidence is circumstantial. I’m sure you can explain where you were the night the girl died.”
Oliver was silent.
Peter Tager was waiting. “Oliver, you can explain, can’t you?”
Oliver swallowed. “No. I can’t.”
“You have to!”
Oliver said heavily, “Peter, I need to be alone.”
Peter Tager went to see Senator Davis in the Capitol.
“What is it that’s so urgent, Peter?”
“It’s—it’s about the president.”
“Yes?”
“The attorney general and the FBI think that Oliver is a murderer.”
Senator Davis sat there staring at Tager. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“They’re convinced Oliver’s committed several murders. I got a tip from a friend at the FBI.”
Tager told Senator Davis about the evidence.
When Tager was through, Senator Davis said slowly, “That dumb son of a bitch! Do you know what this means?”
“Yes, sir. It means that Oliver—”
“Fuck Oliver. I’ve spent years putting him where I want him. I don’t care what happens to him. I’m in control now, Peter. I have the power. I’m not going to let Oliver’s stupidity take it away from me. I’m not going to let anyone take it away from me!”
“I don’t see what you can—”
“You said the evidence was all circumstantial?”
“That’s right. I was told they have no hard proof. But he has no alibi.”
“Where is the president now?”
“In the Oval Office.”
“I’ve got some good news for him,” Senator Todd Davis said.
Senator Davis was facing Oliver in the Oval Office. “I’ve been hearing some very disturbing things, Oliver. It’s insane, of course. I don’t know how anyone could possibly think you—”
“I don’t, either. I haven’t done anything wrong, Todd.”
“I’m sure you haven’t. But if word got out that you were even suspected of horrible crimes like these—well, you can see how this would affect the office, can’t you?”
“Of course, but—”
“You’re too important to let anything like this happen to you. This office controls the world, Oliver. You don’t want to give this up.”
“Todd—I’m not guilty of anything.”
“But they think you are. I’m told you have no alibi for the evening of Chloe Houston’s murder?”
There was a momentary silence. “No.“
Senator Davis smiled. “What happened to your memory, son? You were with me that evening. We spent the whole evening together.”
Oliver was looking at him, confused. “What?”
“That’s right. I’m your alibi. No one’s going to question my word. No one. I’m going to save you, Oliver.”