There was a long silence. Oliver said, “What do you want in return, Todd?”
Senator Davis nodded. “We’ll start with the Middle Eastern peace conference. You’ll call that off. After that, we’ll talk. I have great plans for us. We’re not going to let anything spoil them.”
Oliver said, “I’m going ahead with the peace conference.”
Senator Davis’s eyes narrowed. “What did you say?”
“I’ve decided to go ahead with it. You see, what’s important is not how long a president stays in this office, Todd, but what he does when he’s in it.”
Senator Davis’s face was turning red. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
“Yes.”
The senator leaned across the desk. “I don’t think you do. They’re on their way here to accuse you of murder, Oliver. Where are you going to make your goddam deals from—the penitentiary? You’ve just thrown your whole life away, you stupid—”
A voice came over the intercom. “Mr. President, there are some people here to see you. Attorney General Gatlin, Mr. Brandon from the FBI, Chief Justice Graves, and—”
“Send them in.”
Senator Davis said savagely, “It looks like I should stick to judging horseflesh. I made a big mistake with you, Oliver. But you just made the biggest mistake of your life. I’m going to destroy you.”
The door opened and Attorney General Gatlin entered, followed by Brandon, Justice Graves, and Bergstrom.
Justice Graves said, “Senator Davis…”
Todd Davis nodded curtly and strode out of the room. Barbara Gatlin closed the door behind him. She walked up to the desk.
“Mr. President, this is highly embarrassing, but I hope you will understand. We have to ask you some questions.”
Oliver faced them. “I’ve been told why you’re here. Of course, I had nothing to do with any of those deaths.”
“I’m sure we’re all relieved to hear that, Mr. President,” Scott Brandon said, “and I assure you that none of us really believes that you could be involved. But an accusation has been made, and we have no choice but to pursue it.”
“I understand.”
“Mr. President, have you ever taken the drug Ecstasy?”
“No.“
The group looked at one another.
“Mr. President, if you could tell us where you were on October fifteenth, the evening of Chloe Houston’s death…”
There was a silence.
“Mr. President?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“But surely you can remember where you were, or what you were doing on that evening?”
Silence.
“Mr. President?”
“I—I can’t think right now. I’d like you to come back later.”
“How much later?” Bergstrom asked.
“Eight o’clock.”
Oliver watched them leave. He got up and slowly walked into the small sitting room where Jan was working at a desk. She looked up as Oliver entered.
He took a deep breath and said, “Jan, I—I have a confession to make.”
Senator Davis was in an icy rage. How could I have been so stupid? I picked the wrong man. He’s trying to destroy everything Vve worked for. I’ll teach him what happens to people who try to double-cross me. The Senator sat at his desk for a long time, deciding what he was going to do. Then he picked up a telephone and dialed.
“Miss Stewart, you told me to call you when I had something more for you.”
“Yes, Senator?”
“Let me tell you what I want. From now on, I’ll expect the full support of the Tribune—campaign contributions, glowing editorials, the works.”
“And what do I get in exchange for all this?” Leslie asked.
“The President of the United States. The attorney general has just sworn out a warrant for his arrest for a series of murders.”
There was a sharp intake of breath. “Keep talking.”
Leslie Stewart was speaking so fast that Matt Baker could not understand a word. “For God’s sake, calm down,” he said. “What are you trying to say?”
“The president! We’ve got him, Matt! I just talked to Senator Todd Davis. The chief justice of the Supreme Court, the chief of police, the director of the FBI, and the U.S. attorney general are in the president’s office now with a warrant for his arrest on charges of murder. There’s a pile of evidence against him, Matt, and he has no alibi. It’s the story of the goddam century!”