DeathofaPresident

ItwasacoolcrispfalldaydayinWashingtonD.C.Thevoteswerefinally
counted.Theshockwasjustsettlingin,hehadjustwonthehighestofficeinthe
land.Forthenextfouryears,hewasgoingtobeoneofthemostpowerfulpeople
intheworld.Thedaybeforehadbeenonebigadrenalinerush,watchingthe
electionresultscomein,theacceptancespeech,andtheballallevening,wellinto
thenight.Nowtherealworkbegins.

Actually,hewasntPresidentyet,hehadbeencalledtoameetingwiththe
currentpresident,buthehadntarrivedyet.Butthatstilldidntstoptheenormityof
whathewouldbeundertakingonJanuary20fromsettingin.Finallythecurrent
Presidentcamein.Theyexchangedgreeting,posedforpictures,andmeetwiththe
press,andfinelytheroomclearedandthetwoofthemcouldtalkinpeace.
Themeetingoftheoutgoingandincomingpresidentisnewsforthepress.
Thepictureswillbealloverthenationalnewsalongwithcoverageofthemeeting.

TheOvalofficewasjustashedpicturedit.Ofcourseitwas,hedbeen
theremanytimesconferringwiththeincumbentpresidentovertheyearsasa
senatorfromVirginia,nowitwastobehisoffice,theenormityofitwasjust
sinkingin,hesatdownatthedeskandaskedhimself,NowwhattheHelldoI
do?Themeetingwiththecurrentpresidentlastedforoverahour,Heheardabout
theinandoutsofworkingtheWhiteHouse.Therewasplentyofcursing,The
currentpresidentwasknownintheinnercirclesforhiscontrantoursandfoul
mouth,andgenerallybeingmeantoeveryone,mostlypeoplejustignoreditasmuch
aspossible.ThePresidentelectknewthiswouldbeoneofthelasttimeshedhave
dealwithhimonaonetoonebasiswhichhelped.

Onhiswayout,theWhiteHouseusherstoppedhiminthehall,andaskedif
hecouldtalktohimforaminute.Theysteppedintothetinycrowdedofficeofthe
usher,andtheydiscussedthepreliminarydetailsoftheupcomingchangein
administration.TherewasstillmuchtobedonebeforeJanuary20th.They
1
scheduledameetingbetweenthePresidentElectandtheentireusherstaffalong
withtheWhiteHousestafftogooverthechangeonJanuary20th.TheMeetingwas
setforthefollowingweek.

Afteralongdayofmeetings,hewasfinelywhiskedawaybythesecret
servicetohisrentedhouseoutsideofWashington.Theeveningfoundthe
PresidentelectrelaxingwithhiswifeandtellingherabouthisdayattheWhite
Houseandthemeetingwiththestaffthefollowingweek.WhilethefuturePresident
andhiswiferelaxedinside,thesecretservicepatrolledthegroundsandmonitored
thewholeproperty.Therentedestate,consistedoftwohousesthePresidentelect
andhiswifestayedinthemainhouse,whilethesecretserviceusedtheotherhouse
asabaseofoperationstoguardthepropertyandthePresidentelectandtheFirst
lady,tobe.

Shortlybefore6amthenextmorning,JamesRobertFarmer,thefuture
presidentoftheUnitedStatesawoketodohismorningroutine.Itwasstilldark
outside,hecouldseetheextrasecuritylightsthesecretservicehadinstalledto
eliminateblindspotsoutside.Thepublichadnoideaoftheextenttheywenttoto
protecthimandhiswife.Whatlittlewasseenbythepublicwasjustthetipofthe
icebergastowhattheWhiteHouseandespeciallythesecretservicedoesto
protectthepresidentandthevicepresidentonadailybasis.Oneofthemany
meetinghehadattendedyesterday,waswiththeheadoftheSecretService,and
thathadbeenjusthispersonalprotectionbriefing,andtherewerestillmoremeeting
tocomewiththeentireWhiteHousecabinet,gettingbriefingsonongoingmission
andpoliciesthroughouttheworld.

Bysixthirtyhehadbathed,shavedanddressedandwasabouttogo
findhismorningcoffee,whichheknewwouldbewaitingforhiminthekitchen.He
heardanoisebehindhim.Kimberlyhadwokenupandwaswatchinghimfinish
dressing.Shecametohugandkisshimgoodmorning.Theyspentseveralminutes
kissingandjustholdingeachother.ThesesdaystimetobejustJamesandKim,
werefewandfarbetween.Yestheywerealoneintheirprivatebedroomsuite,but
thereareovertwentyplusheavilyarmedsecretserviceagentspatrollingthe
2
grounds,andthatnotcountingthestaffinthehousewithdirectconnectiontothe
whiteHouse,whocouldcomeinatanyminutetorequesthispresenceatan
emergencymeetingorotherfunctionthathadsuddenlycomeup.Sotimealone
wasalreadycherished.

Theyventuredintothekitchen,andaswasexpectedtherewasalready
coffee,andKimberlyfavoritemorningdrink,tea,alongwithbagels,andtoastand
theirfavoritebreakfastfoods.Theyateanddiscussedtheday.TodayJameswould
bedoingmoremeetingandapublicspeakingengagement.ItwasdecidedthatKim
wouldarriveattheWhiteHouselaterinthemorning.shealsohadacoupleof
meetingssheneededtoattend,andtheywouldbothattendthespeaking
engagementthatafternoon,thuspresentingapictureofahappycouplereadyto
takeontheworld.Theybothknewthevalueofatheappearanceofaunitedand
happycouplecoulddomoretodispelrumorsofproblemsbetweenthemthen
anythingelses.Thefactthatwerenoproblemsbetweenthemdidn'tcount.Ifthe
pressthoughttherewas,itwouldmakeitharderforJamestofitintothenew
position.anditwasplainlygoingtobeachallengewithoutanyhindrancefromthe
pressorotheroutsidesources.

Atexactlyeightinthemorning,Mr.Farmerpulledintothesideentranceof
theWhiteHouse.Thesecretservicelimohaddeliveredhimaccordingtoplan.It
returnedtotherentedestatebyadifferentroute,neverusingthesameroutetwicein
aroll.Laterthatmorningitwouldbebringthefirstladyelect,KimberlyFarmer,to
theWhiteHouse,againbyadifferentroute,thanithadusedthatmorning.

ThemeetingforJamesconsistedofageneralcabinetmeetingwiththeentire
cabinetandbriefingabouttheirgeneraloperations.Therewouldindividualbriefings
laterwitheachindividualmemberastimeallowed.Overthecourseoftheday
Jameslearnedmanythingsabouthowthegovernmentworkedandmanyofwhich
hesuspectedweretrue,nowhewaslearningthedetails,andeventuallywouldknow
theentireschemeoftheworkingintheWhiteHouse,andWashingtoningeneral.
Atelevenam,Kimberlyarrivedrightonschedule.Theymeetandhadaearlylunch
inasecludedoffice,loanedtothembyasenatorwhowasoutforthemorningand
3
afternoon.Theaidcametogetthemtoescortthemtothelimototakethemtothe
speechacrosstown.Jameshadhisspeechreadyandreaditoverinthecar.There
wasalreadyalargecrowdgatheringinanticipationofseeingthenewpresidentand
hiswifeintheirfirstpostelectionspeech.Thelimopulledupinthebackofthe
building,affordingthemarelativelyfastandsecureentrancetothevenue.The
SecretServicewhiskedthemawaytoasecureroomuntiltheannouncementwas
abouttobemadeformtocomeuptotheplatformandpodium.

Whentheywereannounced,therewasauproar,cheeringandhootingin
general.PresidentElectFarmerandthefuturefirstladytookthestageholding
handsandwavingtoaseaofsupportersandpressfromallovertheworld.Ashe
tookthepodiumtherewasacheerfromthebackofthecrowdurginghimonand
morefollowed.Whenthingsfinallyquieteddown,Hebegantospeak.Firsthe
thankedthemillionsofsupporterswhowentoutandhelpedgetthevoteinand
campaignedforhim.thenallthemanymillionwhodidactuallyvoteforhim.Thus
makinghimthenextPresidentoftheUnitedStates,comeJanuary20th.When
Kimberlycameuptospeakthecrowdcheeredagain.Shealsoechoedher
husbandsthanksforthecountryssupportandtrustinthemforthenextfouryears.
Theirspeecheswereshortbuteffective,andservedtomarshaltheirsupportersto
contacttheirlocalrepresentativestosupportthenewpresidentsinitiativeswhenhe
comesintooffice.Thespeechhadbarelytouchedonanyhotbuttonissues,but
servedtoremindthepublicthatthejobhadonlybegun,andwouldbegininearnest
January20th.Theywereescortedoffthestagetoacourseofcheersandwell
wishes.TheSecretServiceescortedstraightbacktothelimoandoutasfastas
possible.TheyarrivedbackattheWhiteHouseinshortorder.Onceinsidethe
gatesofWhiteHousetheyweredeliveredtothesamesideentrancetheyleftfrom.
Thedriverparkedthelimo,whileausherleadthemtoabriefingroom,wherethey
couldwatchcoverageoftheirspeech.JamesandKimfinleyhadamomentalone
andcouldtalkquietlyabouttheirdayssofar,andhavemuchneededcoffee,and
watchthecoverage.Thebulkofthecoveragewasfavorablegivingthemhigh
pointsontheirappearancetogether,andthecontentofthespeech.Thefavorable
reactionofthecrowdwasnoted,alongwiththecalltoaction.JamesandKimwere
pleasedwiththeresults.Theybothknewthatthetidecouldchangeatanygiven
4
moment,turningthepressagainstthem.Whenthecoveragewaswrappingup,a
ushercametoinvitethemtothewhiteHousekitchenforaearlydinner,whichthey
gratefullyaccepted.WhentheyenteredtheWhiteHousekitchen,theresat,the
President,andVicePresident,bothwellintotheirmeals.Theyexchanged
pleasantries,andthevaletbroughtthefoodandmorecoffee.JamesandKimkept
theconservationlightandtriedtoconcentrateoneatingthedeliciousfood.
PresidentLloydfinelyfinishedeatingandgrufflythankedthestaffandgotupto
leave.TheVicePresident,whogotalongwithJames,clearlywasntinahurryto
leave,butfelthehadto,tokeeppeacewithPresidentLloydCramer.Oncethe
PresidentandVicePresidentweregonetheyinvitedthechiefintoeatwiththem
andtheydiscussedmanyfoodrelatedtopicsandgenerallyhadarelaxingmealand
gettingworkforthetransitiondone,atthesametime.Itwasacoupleofhourslater
whentheyfinallyfinishedcoffee,anddessert.Thiswasthefirsttimeinalongtime
JamesandKimhadfeltcomfortableintheWhiteHouse.

Finallytheycalledforthelimototakethembacktotherentedestateand
calleditadayattheWhiteHouse.Thedrivebackwasuneventful.Theywere
settledintothehouseforthenightandrelaxingwatchingtv,andplanningthedays
andyearsahead.

ThenextseveraldaysfoundtheminaroutineofgoingtheWhite
Houseeveryday.Theretheyhadmeetingwithvariouscommittees,andhighlevel
personal,liketheSpeakeroftheHouse,andthemajorityleadersofbothhousesof
Congress.TheybothattendedthemeetingwiththeWhiteHouseUsherstaff,and
otherstaffmembersoftheWhiteHouse.Finalplansweremadeforthemovingof
thePresidentElectspersonalfurnitureinandtheoutgoingPresidentsbelongings
out.Muchtotheirdelightthepressshiftedmuchoftheircoveragefromthem,to
thetheoutgoingPresident,LloydCramer.

Ofcourse,duringallthistimetheSecretServicewasneverfarfromthem.As
thedaysrolledintoacoupleofweeks,thingsforJamesandKimberlyFarmer
weresettleddown.

ChapterTwo

WhilePresidentElectFarmerwaspreparingtotakehisoathofficeforthe
highestofficeintheland.Morepreparationswerebeingmade.EmersonCarter
hadadeepandabidinghatredforthefuturepresident.Manyyearsago,when
JamesFarmerhadbeenasenatorinVirginia,hehadcostCaterseveralmillion
dollars,nearlyputtinghimoutofbusiness.
EmersonCarterwasamanwhodidnotforgetpastwrongs.Overtenyears
ago,whenthensenatorJamesFarmerhadproposedabillthatwouldhaveforced
himtoopenhisbooksevenmore,andallowfederalinspectorsintohisdefense
plants,thusmakingitpossibleforthemtotrulyseewhathewasdoing.
FortunatelyforEmersonCarterthebillwasshotdown,barely.Ithadstillcosthim
severalmilliondollarsgettingitshotdown,andburied.Throughsourcesinthe
senateandWhiteHouse,helearnedthethefuturepresidenthadplanstobring
backthebillsthatwouldopendefensespendingandbillingtotheamericanpublic
andforcedefensecontractorstobemoreopenabouthowtheyworked.Thiswas
notgoingtohappeninhislifetime.Notifhecouldhelpit.Whilehewasaspatriotic
asthenextman,hehadworkedhardtoearnhismillionsofdollars,andhewasnt
goingtoletanyonetellhimhowhehadtodeclareit,oraccountforit.
Slowlytheideawasforminginhismind.Whilehehadneveractuallykilled
anyone,orordereditdone,theideathatadeadpresidentcouldntsignabill
intriguedhim,thatcoupledwithhispersonaldistasteforthemanhimself.Oneside
ofhimwasaghastattheideaofcoldbloodedmurder,especiallythepresident.But
theothersidereasonedthatwithproperplanningandforethought,hecould
manipulatethevicepresident,whowouldthenbepresidentintoforgettingaboutthe
billentirely.Thiscalledformoreresearch.Sowhilethepresidentelectwas
researchinghisnewjob,EmersonCarterwasresearchinghowtobestkillhimand
controlhisreplacement.
6

EmersonCarterstartedmakingphonecallstovariouspeoplewhose
reputationswerelessthanclean.Thesesarepeoplehehadheardaboutbuthad
neveractuallyhadanydealingwithinthepast.Thepeoplewhohadhelpedhimten
yearsago,wereeitherdead,orinjailonothercrimes.Heknewbetterthantotryto
contactanyofthem.Thesespeopleknewpeoplewhoknewpeopleandfound
thingsout,andheardthingsnotgenerallyknown.Suchinformationisacommodity
incertaincircles.Suchinformationcouldalsoprovetobeverydangeroustoknow
inspecialcases.HismaininterestwasinhowtheWhiteHousewasrunandsecurity
measures,andaspecialinvestigationintothebackgroundofthefuture
VicePresident.Hehopedtofindsomethingthepresshadntalreadyfoundthat
couldbeusedtopersuadehimtoforgetthebillthethefuturepresidentwas
planningtointroduceafterhetookoffice.Barringthatcreatingasituationthat
wouldpreventhimfromwantingtointroducethebill.Hehadtobeverycareful
thathewasntdirectlytiedbacktoanyinvestigationdoneonhisbehalf,oranylaw
enforcementagency.Oneofhissubsidiariescompanies,whichworkedwiththe
SecretService,supplyingsurveillancehardwarehadaguyinitwhowasina
positiontoknowexactlyhowtheyareprotectingthepresident.Gettinghimtotalk
wasamatterofproperpersuasion.Alittlecheckingfoundthathehadvicesthat
werenteasilyexplained.Followinghimforseveralweeksrevealedhispenchantfor
woman,usuallyseveralatatime.Whichinitselfwasjustinteresting,however,his
wifeprobablywouldntagree.Thatcoupledwithhislessthanethicalhandlingof
money,particularlyotherpeoplesmoney.ItmadeEmersonCarterwonderhowthe
SecretServicehadntstumbledintothis.Atanyrate,itmadehimripeforblackmail
forinformation.Carterevenconsideredturninghiminevenafterhewasdonewith
him,hedecidedtowaittoseehowitplayedout,hemaynothavetoifitwentright.
EmersonCarterwasrunningoutoftime,ithadalreadybeenacoupleof
weekssinceJamesFarmerhadwontheelectiontothepresidency.Plansweremade
toapproachthemanwiththeinsideinformation,throughathirdpersonwhohadno
knowledgeofEmersonCarter.Theinformationaboutbothhiswomanandmoney
handlingwasdocumentedandreadytopresenttothefutureaccomplice.The
meetingdidntstartwell,hedidntbelievethatknewwhattheysaidtheydid,when
presentedwithpicturesandtimesanddates,evennamesofthegirls,He,knowthey
7
meantbusiness.Thepartaboutthemoneywassavedforlateriftheyneededitto
helphimcooperatesomemore.Whenitwasexplainedtohimwhattheywanted,
theinnerworkingofthesecretServicesecuritydetail,hesaidno,andtheycouldgo
aheadandsendoutthepictures,iftheywanted.Thenitwasmentionedthathiswife
andkidscouldbeindangerifhedidntcooperate,regardlessofthesexscandal.He
knewhewastotallycompromised,andhadnochoicebuttohelp,weatherwanted
toornot.
ThediscussionsaboutSecretServiceSecurityatthesafehousewere
fruitful.Eventuallyaplanwasformedtoallowonemanintogetaroundtheblind
spots,whichtherewereveryfew,andintothehouseandintothePresidents
bedroomandkillhim,andhopefullymaketheirwayoutwithoutraisingthealarm,
EmersonCarterdecidedatthelastminutethathewouldbetheonetogoin
andtothejob,knowingfullwell,therisks,andwhathappenifcaught.The
informerthattheyhadpersuadedtogivethemtheinformationhadgivenhima
specificroutethatwouldgethimpastaveryfewblindspotsinthecompound.In
manywaysinsidethehousewasmorecomplicatedbecausepeoplewouldbe
movingaroundandtherewasachanceofrunningintosomeone.Emersonprepared
quietly,inhiscar,arentedsedan,hehadnevertouchedthecar,withoutgloveson,
anditwasrentedbytheinformersohewasnotevenconnectedtothecar.Ithad
beenarrangedforhimtoleavethecarinaspecificplaceandwalkaway.Emerson
cametocollectitwhenhewasready.Hedrovethecartothespotindicatedwhere
hecouldgainaccesstothecompound,andmakehiswaybacktothecarwhen
done.Hehaveneverfeltsoaliveandsoafraidatthesametime.Hisheartwas
racingashenearedthehouse.Slidingopenthedoor,andfindingthekitchen
empty,hemadehiswaytothebedroom.Therewasnolightunderthedoor,which
probablymeanttheyhadturnedinforthenight.Heslowlyopenedthedoor.Slid
himselfinbeforeanyonehadachancetoseehim.Hestoodthereaminute
consideringwhathewasabouttodo.Ashewasthinkingoverhissituation,James
Farmerstirred,sensingsomethingwrongheturnedonthelightbyhisbed.There
stoodEmersonCarter,withaguninhishand.ALookofshockpassedbetween
them.Bothweresurprisedtobefacetoface,muchlessinthissituation.Atfirst
JamesFarmerdidntrecognizewhowasstandinginhisroom,andslowlythegun
cameintoview,andwhatitentailed,cameclear.EmersonCarter,wasalso
8
shockedtofinallybestandingfacetofacewithhisnemesis.Therealityofwhatwas
totranspirewassinkingin.HehadtodecideinthenextfewminutesweatherJames
andKimberlyFarmerdiedorlived.ThelookspassedquicklyasJamesslowly
understoodwhatEmersonCarterhadinmind.Henotedthesilencerattachedtothe
Ruger22automaticpistol.ItwasclearthatEmersonCarterhadplannedtokillhim,
andprobablyheraswell,beinghecouldntleavehertoidentifyhim.
EmersonliftedthegunpointeditdirectlyatJameshead,fired.Thebullet
wentinanddiditsdamagetoJames.HetoppleddownnexttoKim,wakingher.
Shestartedtositupandscream,butnevergotto.Thenextbulletenteredherhead.
SheslumpeddownnexttoJames.EmersonwentoverandcheckedbothJamesand
Kim,theywerebothdead.Heretrievedthetwospentshellcasings,madesurehe
leftnoevidenceofhiscomingorgoing.Hemadehiswaybackoutofthehouse
andslowlybackoutofthecompound,barelymissingatleasttwoSecretService
agents.Hegotintohisrentedcarandslowlypulledaway.Thetimethe
PresidentElectandhiswifediedwasexactly12am,January,20.
Inlessthan12hourshewastobesworninasthenextPresidentofthe
UnitedStates.

9
ChapterThree
EmersonCartersatinthecar.Thinkingabouttheenormityofwhathehad
justdone.Hedroveslowlyandmanagedtofinallygetthecartotheappointed
dropoffplace.WhereHeleftthecartobepickedupandreturntotherentalplace
thenextday.Ithadbeenarrangedsotheonlypersontherentalpeoplesawwas
theirinformer.Andhedidntknowwhowasbehindthepeoplewhohad
blackmailedhim.Sothatwasadeadend.Thechancesofthecarbeingtracedto
thatlocationwereslim,butbettertobecovered,justincase.EmersonCartertook
hisowncarandreturnedtohisestateinVirginia.Hespentarestlessnightgoing
overallthedetailsinhishead,tryingtofigureoutifhehadmissedanything,andif
therewasawayhecouldbetraced.Noelectroniccommunicationshadbeenused
betweenhimandhisgobetweensandbetweenthemandtheirfinaltraitor.sothere
wasnothingtotracethere.
Sixo'clockinthemorningfoundEmersonCarterupandwatchingthenews.
HewaswaitingfortheannouncementofthedeathofthePresidentelect.

ThemorningsecurityguardcameintocheckonJamesandKimatseven
oclock,whenthestaffnoticedthattheywerentupfortheirusualearlymorning
breakfast.Especiallyconsideringwhatdayitwas.
SecretServiceRogerKempopenedthedoortothebedroom.There
beforehimlaycrumpledupattheheadofthebedtogetherwerethePresidentand
hiswife.Hestoodthereasecondgasping.Forasecondhecouldntbelievewhat
hewasseeing.Thenrealitysankin.Asperhistraining,heexitedtheroom,closed
thedoorandwenttofindthehighestrankingofficeronthecompound.Senior
SecretServiceSpecialAgentinChargeRobertClay.
RobertClayhadbeenwiththeSecretServiceforovertwentyyears.Hehad
workedforvariousPresidents,andbeenassignedaroundtheworld.Hehadnever
lostapersoninhisprotection,Hisexperiencewithpresidentialdetailshadmade
himtheperfectchoicetoheadthisdetail.RogerKempleadRobertClayintothe
room,wheretheylay.Theywereinshockthatsomeonehadnotonlygottenpast
them,buthadactuallyhadthenervetokillbothofthemincoldblood.Thehouse
wasemptiedofallpersonal,withouttellingthemwhy,localauthorities,andtheFBI
werecalled.Withinminutestherewasaswarmofofficialvehiclessurroundingthe
10
estate.Everyonewhowasontheestatewereputininsolationandnoanswerswere
givenastowhyallofthiswashappening.Thesecuritypersonnelwhowereonduty
overnightwererequiredtofilloutdetailedreportsandhandintheirsidearmsfor
testing.Themedicalexaminerwassoononthesite.Heexaminedbothbodies.
pronouncedthembothdeadatthescene.Hesaidprobablybygunshottothe
head,butwouldbeabletotellwhenheexaminedthemfurtheratthemorgue.A
unmarkedcarwasusedtocarrythebodiesoutaftertheroomandhousewere
processedanddustedforprintsandanyforensicevidence.TheSecretServiceand
theFBIcorporatedtomakeaslittleofthesceneaspossibleandnottoletany
newsofthemurdersleakoutuntiltheyhadmoreinformation.Thoseinthehouse
whodidknowwerekeptsequesteredandcounselingservicesweremadeavailable
tothemasneeded.AllofthishappenedwithinahourofRogerKempopeningthe
Presidentsbedroomdoor,Thenasquicklyandquietlyastheycametheyleft.
Exceptforanewsetofguardstosecuretheestateandkeeppeopleoutand
stonewallanyquestions.
Thepersonnelwhowereworkingovernightweresenttoasecurelocation
tobequestionedthoroughlyandtheirbackgroundcheckwerealsobeinggoneover
again.
Atnineoclockinthemorningthecoronerofficiallydeclaredboththe
presidentelectJamesFarmer,andhiswifeKimberlydeadofsinglegunshot
woundssustainedsometimearoundmidnightthenightbefore.Thecaliberofthe
gunwassmall,probablya.22.Otherthenthattheywerebothinperfecthealth.

Whileallthiswasgoing,wordhadbeenquietlypasseduptherankstothe
SpeakeroftheHouseandMajorityandMinoritiesleadersoftheassassination.
Acloseddoorcabinetmeetingwasheld,infactwasstillinprogresswhen
theofficialannouncementwasmade.Theywererunningoutoftime.Verysoonthe
publicandpresswouldexpecttoseethepresidentandfirstladyappearandget
readyfortheinauguration.ItwasdecidedthetheVicePresidenthadtogoliveon
TVandmaketheannouncement,beforehewassworninasthePresident.The
localnewafficialiteswerecalledandtoldtherewasaemergencypressconference
attenoclockinthemorning,ofvitalnationalimportance.
AtexactlytenoclockinthepressroomoftheWhiteHouse,everyreporter
11
inthecityandstatewhocouldgetthereweregratherwaitingforthenews.
Thestageslowlyfilledupwithvariouspersonal,secretaryofstate,both
houseleaders,speakerofthehouse,andanumberofpeopletheydidntrecognize
filledtheseatsonthestage.Wheneveryonewasseatedandthecrowdsettleddown
theVicePresidentcametothepodium.
Thereweretearsinhiseyesashespoke
Atosevenhundredthismorning,,,,,,thePresidentElectJamesFarmer,and
hiswifeKimberly,were,,,werefounddeadintheirbedroom.Thecauseofdeath
hasbeenconfirmedtobegunshotwoundstothehead.
Theroomwasdeadsilentastheenormityofwhathejustsaidsankin.
FBIisleadingtheinvestigation,closelysupportedbytheSecretService,
andotherlawenforcementagencies.
Whenthereportersfinallycaughttheirbreath,thequestionscame,they
camefastandsadly.Itwasclearthattheywereinasmuchshockasthe
vicepresidentelect.Somewerenotevensurewhattoask,orwhomtoaskitto.
Variouspeoplecameuptoanswerquestions,thecornerwhodidthe
examinationwasthere,heconfirmedthegunshotsandthesmallcaliber.
Bythetimethenewconferencewasovertheworldknewaboutthekillingof
PresidentelectJamesFarmerandhiswife,Kimberly.Theshockechoedaround
theworldasthenewswasconfirmed.Veryfewdetailswerereleased.Bothto
maintainsecurity,andbecausetherewerealmostnocluestobefound.Noprints
werefoundthatdidntbelonginthehouse.Nofibertraces.Thebulletswereto
smasheduptobeofanyuse.Securitytapeswerereviewed,andnothingunusual
wasfound.TheonlyplacetheSecretServicehadtostartwithwiththepeoplewho
workedontheestate.SotheAgentincharge,startedgoingbackintoeveryone's
background,expandingthecheckstoincludesubcontractors,andanyoneeven
remotelyconnectedwithsecurityoftheestate.
Meanwhile.theworldcametogripswiththerealityofthesituation,plans
weremadeforthedoublefuneralforthepresidentelectandhiswife.Andthe
swearinginoftheVicePresidentElecttobePresident.

12
ChapterFour

WithinsecondsoftheVicePresidentElectutteringthewords,andthemad
scrambleofreportersandquestions,thenewswasallaroundtheworld.Thiswas
tobethelongestpressconferencethatandelectedofficialhadeverhadtoendure.

Whilethewheelswereturningtoeducated,andconsulthepublicandworld.
Thewheelsintheprivateworldwereturningevenfaster.
AspecialinvestigatorfromtheFBI,hadbeencalledin,atsoonasitwasclearwhat
hadhappened,atOSevenhundredinthemorning.
RichardMack,hadbeenwiththeFBIforovertwentyyears,afterservingin
theMarinesand,asalocallawenforcementofficer,intheWashingtonDCareafor
severalyears.Hehadareputationforsolvingcasesthathadbeensittingforyears,
anddiggingupthetruthnomatterhowdeepithadbeenburied,andhowlongit
hadbeenburied.TheOfficersinchargeofthesceneshowedMackallofthe
forensicevidence,orlackofittheyhadearlyinthemorning.Mackagreedwith
them,ithadbeenainsidejob,someonehadleakedthesecuritysystemtothekiller,
thusallowinghimtogetintoahousetheyneverwouldhavebeenabletogetclose
to.
Thatmeanttheyhadtogoovereveryonewhohadeverworkedontheestate
inanyshapeorform,andwhiletheyweredoingthat,hehadanotherteam,doing
deepbackgroundchecksonthefuturePresident,JamesFarmer,andKimberly.The
questionbeingwhoinhispastwouldgotothisextremetokeephimfrom
becomingpresident,andwhy.TheseswereRichardMackkindsofquestions.
Thesesdays,hehadlotsofhelpfindinganswers.
Theinitialnewbackgroundcheckonalloftheestateemployeesandworkers
cameupclean,noonehadanythingintheirpast,thatshouldn'tbethere.Sothey
widenedtosearchtoincludesubcontractorswhosuppliedproductsorservicesto
theSecretServiceforthedurationofthestay.
AnotherteamofagentsunderthedirectionofMack,werelookinginto
Farmerspast,particularlyhistimeintheVirginiasenate.Asthatseemedalikely
placetofindsomeonewithagrudge.
EmersonCarterwaitedimpatientlyforthenewallmorning.At9:30,the
13
announcercameonandsaid,therewastoaspecialnewconferenceat10:00.
Hesatinhisfavoritechairinthelivingroom,watchingthenewsspewallthe
comingandgoingsfortheupcomingceremony,HisLargeHighDefinition
televisionshowingeverydetailoftheWhiteHouse,andtherouteleadingtoit.
Finallytheannouncementtimecame.Thecamerasandannouncersswitchedtothe
livefeedfromtheWhiteHouseandthePressroom.Thewideshotshowedthe
roomfillingupandthestagefillingupwithreporters,andthestagehadanumber
ofpeopleonitalready.TheVicePresidentElectalsocametothestage.Hesat
downforaminute,talkedtothegentlemannexttohim,thengotupandapproached
thepodium.Hishandwereshakingashegrippedtheedges.Heleanedincleared
histhroat,coughed,andtoldtheworldthenewsofthePresidentElects,andhis
wifesdeath.
EmersonCartersatbackinhischairandwatchedtheeventsplayoutonhis
televisionalmostasshockedastherestoftheworld.Whathenoticedafter
watchingawhilewastheeffectthatthewashavingonhim,Inspiteofhiscausingit.
Therewasapartofhimthatalmostwishedhehadntdoneit,Butitfartoolatefor
wishinghehadntdoneanything.Nowwasthetimetodealwiththeaftermath.He
Hadputplansinplacetoinsurethathewouldnotbeimplicatediftheyfoundthe
informer,whichhewasprettysuretheywould,ashesuspectedthattheywerenow
doingamuchmorethoroughbackgroundcheckoneveryoneevenremotely
connectedwiththeoperation.Heknewthatwhathedbedoingifhewasrunning
theinvestigation.

Theintrogratationroomwiththeonewaymirrorwassmall.RichardMack
satononesideofthetable.TheothersidesatClarenceCrane.asubcontractor
whohadsuppliedsomeofthelightfixturesandoutdoorlightingfortheestate,
Checkingreportsshowedthathehadhelpedsetupthelightsthemselves.
Whatgothimintothelittleroomwiththemirrorwaswhenitwasdiscovered
hisfondnessforwomanotherthanhiswife,alittlemorecheckingfoundhisskillat
makingotherpeoplesmoneydisappearintohisownpocketalittletoogood.and
hisconnectiontothePresidentialcompound,althoughremotewasenoughto
warrantbringhimin.DuetothenatureofthecaseTheSecretServiceandFBIwere
walkingatightropebetweenvigilantism,andduecourseofjustice.Knowingthe
14
pressandpublicwouldbefollowingeverymovetheymade.Theywantedtomake
sureanyallegationandarresttheymadewereairtightandlegal,withnoloopholes.

Senator,PresidentElecthadbeencomparedtoJohnFKennedy.Pressand
publicmediahadbeentreatingthemwithrespect,notseensincetheearlydaysof
thetwentiethcentury.ThepublicreactiontothekillingofPresidentFarmerandhis
wifewasbeingcomparedtothereactionsseeninin1967,whenPresidentKennedy
wasassassinatedinDullySquare,inDallasTexas.Theremaindifference,being
today,thereisamuchbetterarmyoflawenforcementagencieslookingfor
answers.

15
ChapterFive

RichardMack,tallmuscular,andinmanywaysbuildlikeaMacktruckwas
calledintoheadtheinvestigationfortheFBIduetohisexperiencewithhandling
difficulthighprofilecases,andthisisashighprofileasonecanget.Over20years
ofinvestigationexperience,andhisbackgroundintheshootingsportshadserved
himwellovertheyears.Atonetimehehadbeenachampion3guner,asportin
whichyouuseallthreeguns,rifle,usuallyaAR15,apistol,andshotgun,allinthe
samestageoffire.
RichardMackdividedhisdetectivesintoteams.Oneteam,startedlooking
atJamesandKimberlyFarmerlivesfromthedaytheywereborn,talkingto
everyonetheyeverknewthem,goingbackovereveryinchoftheirlives.Still
anotherteamwasfocusinginonJamesFarmerstenureintheVirginiaSenate.
lookingateverybillhetouched,signedorlookedat,talkingtoeveryonewhowas
therewhenhewasthere.Theyalsolookedathisproposedbillstobeintroduced
afterhewaselected.Lookingforsimilarities,andandanypossibletieinwithhis
Senatedays.
Thevariousteamsspentseveralweekscheckingandrecheckinggoingover
groundtheyevenswitchedteams,adifferentteamgoingoverwhattheotherteam
hadgoneoverbefore.Lookingforaneedleinahaystackofalifeof35years
wasnteasy.
Meanwhilethepresshadbeengettingimpatientwiththelackofresults.There
werebeingtobecallsofacoverupandgovernmentscandle.

Finely,fourmonthslaterathreadunraveled.onyetanothercanvasofthe
blockssurroundingtheformerpresidentialcompound,adetectivefinelyaskedthe
rightpersontherightquestion.Thedetectiveaskedaboutanyunusualtraffic
aroundmidnight,thatnight.Oneladywhowasupwatchinglatenighttv,sawlights
gobyherwindow,shegotupandlooked,asitwasunusualforcarstogobyat
thathourofnightespeciallyasslowasitseemedtobegoing.Shegotupand
lookedoutthewindowintimetoseethecarparkdowntheblockabitfromher
door.Amangotout,lookedaround,andwalkedaway,towardswhatshenow
knowsisthePresidentialCompoundablockaway.
16
Shetoldhowshedwenttothewindowandpulledthecurtainback,peeked
outjustthecarsloweddown,andfoundaspottoparkin.Hegotout,looked
aroundlikehedidntwanttobenoticed,andslowlywalkeddownthestreetaway
fromher.Shedidnoticethecar,asherlatehusbandhadbeenamechanic,and
hadtaughtherhowtorecognizethedifferentmakessometimesshecouldeventell
themodelandyear.InthiscaseitwasaFordTaurus,fourdoorsedan,dark
color,eitherblueorblack,andtheplateswascoveredwithice.Butshedidseea
stickerontheleftcornerbumper,Sherecognizeditasalocalrestaurant.Theman
wastall,althoughthefedorapulleddownlowoverhishead,andthethickheavy
lightbrowntrenchcoatprobablymadehimlookbiggerandheavierthanhewas.
Shedidntseehisfacewhenheleftthecar.Shewasmorenoseythanusual.She
stayedatthewindowandwatchedthecar.Shehadnotedthetimethecarpulledin
about5minutesbefore12am.about5minutesafter12amhecamehurryingback,
lookingaroundnervously.Shenoticedhedidntunlockthecar,hejustopenedthe
driver'sdoorandquicklygotin,andtriednottoattractattentionashedroveaway.
Thisprovedtobethefirstrealleadtheydhadin4months.Someonehad
actuallyseenthekillerandthecar.Granteditwasmuch.Butnowtheycouldstart
lookingforstolenFordTaurusesreportedaboutthattime.Theypulledinall
stolenvehiclereportsfortheentiremonthofDecemberandfocusedontheendof
DecemberandearlyJanuary.OntheAssumptiontheywouldntwantahotcar
aroundfortoolong.

RichardMackhadbeenquicktojumponthislead.Collectingandcross
referencingallstolencarreportsofdarkblue,orblackFordTauruses,wasa
challenge.thenherethoughtthestickertheladyhadmentioned.Coulditbearental
car?ThinkingabouthowHeddoitgivenwhatheknewnow,He'dhavesomeone
rentthecarforhim,keepthecar,dropitoffwherehehadleftitaftermidnight,He
couldthendriveupswitchcars,taketherentalcar,towheretheladyhadseenhim
leaveitandcomebackforitanddriveoff,theleaveittobepickeduplaterand
returnedbytheoriginalrenter.Whilehedroveoffinhisowncar.Notbad.Richard
Mack,pulledateamoffthestolencardetail,assignedthemtocontactallthecar
rentalplacesinthearea,askingaboutFordTaurus,blueorblackrentintheweek
beforeandaftertheassassination.Therewasthinchancetheywouldfindarental
17
thatfitthattimeframe.Healsopersonallywentbacktotheladywhohadseenthe
car.Hetalkedtoherquiteawhile,understandingthatitwasnowwellpastfour
monthssinceshedseenthemanandcar.Hejustwonderedifshecould
rememberatleastthegeneralshapeofthesticker.Hebroughtalongdifferent
stickersfromthelocalcarrentalplacesinthearea,hopingonewouldjogher
memory.slowlyitcamebacktoher,hebroughtaFordTaurusoverandparkedit
outwhereshesaidhedparkedtopossiblyhelpherremembersomethingshe
hadntbefore.Aftermuchcoffee,andtalkingshewasalmostabouttogiveup,

Sheremember,howthemanseemedparticularlyupsetwhenhecameback,
andhehadsomethinginhispocket,shedidntnoticeitatthetime,suddenlyas
shelookedoutthewindow,attheFord,theyhadparkthere,Sherememberedit
wasagun,inhishandasheopenedthedoor.Alsoithadaextraantennaonthe
backfender,notliketheonetheyhadbroughtforhertosee.Ricardaskedmore
abouttheantenna.wasitinthecenterofthetrunk,ontherightfender?Shecouldnt
besure.Allsherememberedwastwoantennas,inthedarkashedroveaway.The
stickersfromtherentalplacesfinallypaidoff,Shefinallyrecognizedone.
RichardMackwasonaroll,henowknewitwasadarkblue,orblackFord
Taurus,with2antennasontheback,andwhatrentalcompanyitcamefrom.Much
morethanhehadknownforthelastfourmonths.
Hevisitedeverybranchoftherentalcompanypersonallytotalktothe
owners/managersandchecktheirrecords.Therewasstillachancethecarwas
stolen,sohehadateamcheckingonstolenrentalcars.
Finallyafteranotherweekofcheckingcarrentaldealersrecordshehitpay
dirt.Theowner/manageroftheHertzrentacarin50MassachusettsAvenue
NortheastinnorthwestWashington,wassurprisedtotohavetheFBIvisitinghim,
particularlyabouttheassassination,whichhadhappenedoverfourmonthsago.
Withoutgoingintodetails,Richardexplainedthatheneededtosee,hisrental
recordsforFordTaurusesontheweekoftheassassination,specificallytheone
thatwereweredarkblue,orblack.Within5minuteshehadacompleteprintoutof
everyFordTaurusrentedsofarthisyear.Ricardalsoaskedhowmanyhadtwo
antennas.Therewereonlyacoupleofcarsthathadtheextraantenna.Looking
overtherecords,heaskedtotalktothedeskclerkswhorentedthecarsininhis
18
timeframe.Acoupleofclerkswereondutyandhetalkedtothem,Theycouldnt
remembermuch.RichardMackdidntleaveemptyhanded.Hehadalistofabout
adozennamesandaddressandcreditcardnumbertosetateamtotrackingdown
anddoingbackgroundcheckson.Afterfourmonths,hecouldfinallydosomereal
work.
RichardMack,startedofbydoingacriminalbackgroundchecksonallof
hisnewnames.Noneofthenamespoppeduponanyrecords,ofcoursethatreally
didntmeananything.Whoeverwasbehindthishadmoneyandpowerand
probablyhadmeanstoforceorbribesomeonetorentthecarcompletelyunrelated
tocriminalactivity.Hethenassignedateamofdetectivestoeachname,telling
themtogoovertheirliveswithafinetoothcomb,andseewhatturnedup,also
lookforconnectionsbetweenanyofthem,andtheguytheyhadalreadyClarence
Crane,Hedoubtedthattherewasaconnection,butcheckanyways.

Someofthenamesonhisnewlistwerefairlyeasytocrossoff.Likethe70
yearretireandhiswife,andwifewithtwosmallchildren,bothincarseats,.Of
coursetheyhadtheirbackgroundscheckedoutthoroughly.Thensomethingstarted
naggingatthebackofRichardMacksmind,somethinghecouldntputhisfinger
on,somethingwasntrightwithoneofthem,hewasntsurewhatorwhichone.
Sooverthenextseveraldays,hepersonallywenttalkedtoeachofthem,
andorderedamorethoroughbackgroundcheckandchecktheirwhereaboutson
thenightinquestion.helookedattheinterviewnotesfromwhenthedetectivefirst
talkedtothem.comparedthemtothenotesoftheotherpeople.Hewaslooking
forsomethingthatdidn'tbelong,inoneorbothstatements.Thesecondantenna
botheredhimtoo.whyhavetwoantennasonacarthesesdaysunlessitwasacop
car,orothercarcarthatrequiredextraantennas.Sotheideaofaretiredpolicecar
beingsoldorstolenbegintoemerge.thestickerwasjustadecoytowastehistime.

Thequestionthenbecamewherewouldonegetaretiredpolicecarfrom,
stolenorotherwise?
Whileallofthiswashappeningwiththecar,hisdetectiveswerefinallygetting
somewherewiththeirinvestigationintoJamesFarmerssenatorialdays.Bydoing
researchintowhowasaroundatthetime,andwhowasatthetime,theyfoundthe
19
gentleman,whowasatthetime,JamesFarmerspageduringhistimeinthesenate.
Hehadbeenateenagerathetime.Butherememberedveryvividlyhistimethere.
Hehadenjoyeditandlovedtotalkaboutit,HehadlearnedalotfromSenator
Farmer.Intheprocesshehadinsideinformationonmanyoftheissuesandbills
thesenatorwasinvolvedin.Untilnowhewouldhaveneverconsideredbreakinghis
trust.Butnow,willallthathadhappenedbackinJanuary,andthefactthattheyhad
gottenanywhere,hedecidedthatnowwasthetimetospeak.Hehadbeeninvolved
inseveralbillsthatthesenatorhadwantedpassed.Heknewofatleastonewhich
shouldhavepassed,however,atthelastminuteseveralsenatorssuddenlychanged
theirmind.,andthebillsuddenlydiedaquickdeath.Thesenatorwasveryangry,
heknewwhohadhaditkilledandhow,buttherewasntathinghecoulddo.The
formeraidknewexactlywhichbillitwas,theexactnumberandwhenithadbeen
killed,becauseithadcausedsuchafarkasinstillbothinSenatorsfarmersoffice
andintheSenateingeneralatthetime.Thedetectivestookhisstatement,andgot
theinformationonthebillandreturnedtoRichardMackwiththeinformation.
Upongoingoverthestatement,RichardMackcouldseethatithad
possibilities,sohesentthedetectivesintothesenatearchivestofindacopyofthe
bill,andthevotingrecordwhichhaddefeatedit.Ittookseveraldaysandsome
runningaround,butitsamazingwhataFederalSubpoena,coulddo.
Bytheendoftheweek,RichardMackhadthewholefileonthebillthepage
hadtoldhimabout.Itprovedtobeveryinterestingreadingindeed.Ithadanumber
ofprovisionstoopenuptheaccountabilityofdefensecontractorstoboththe
Government,andthepublic,throughtheFreedomofInformationAct.Which
wouldhaveforcedmanydefensecontractorstoeithercloseup,openuptheir
booksmorethenwantedto.andprobablycostthemmoney.Thenextstepwas
interviewingallofthesenatorswhovotedonthebill.Personally,hefeltthisneed
hispersonaltouch,andjudgement,asHesuspectedthatthiswasclosetobethe
keytothewholecase,thetrickwasfindoutwhatheneededwithoutspooking
anyone.Whilehedidinterviews,histeamsofdetectivesstartedgoingthroughthe
backgroundsofeveryoneofthesenatorswhovotedonthebill,thentheystarted
onthesenateasawholealloveragain.Thelistofsenatorswhosuddenlychanged
theirmindswasrelativelyshort,justenoughtokeepthebillfrompassing.That
interestedRichard,whygogotoallthetroubletogetexactlyenoughvotesagainst
20
it,whenoneorortwomoreprobablywouldnthavecausedsuspicion.Onthe
otherhandhavingalargevoteagainstitwhichwouldhavebeennice,wasnt
importantasjustgettingitkilledinthefirstplace.WhileRichardhadhisdetectives
goingbackoverallallthesenators,hehadhisbestunitconcentratingontheones
whovotedagainstthebill.Particularly,theoneortwowhohadsuddenlychanged
theirminds.Richardmackwenttoseetheaidwhohadgivenhimtheinformation
aboutthebillinthefirstplace.Heaskedhimabouttheothersenators,especially
thesenatorswhohadsuddenlychangedtheirvote.Whatwasgoingon,thatwasnt
ontheofficialrecords?Theformeraidetoldaboutanumberofdealsthatwent
southbecauseSenatorfarmerwouldntdothem,thewouldstandfordealsthe
costconsumersingeneralmoney,particularlyhisdistrict.Therewasalotofhard
feeling,andsomeattemptstoforcehimintodoingwhattheywanted,however,he
hadbeenabletoforcehisopponentstobackdown,andnotpushhimanyfuture
oreveragain.Theaidesaidasmuchasmanyfolksliked,evenlovedlovedhim,
anyonewhohadtriedtocrosshimusuallywoundupfearinghim.Hecouldbevery
intimidatingwhenheneededtobe,bothphysically,andpsychology,.Hehad
neverasfarastheaideknewactuallyhitanyone,butthemerethreatofitwas
usuallyenoughtogetmostfolkstothinktwiceaboutwhattheywantedhimtodo.
Hehadonlyseenhimthatangryonce,rightafterthelastvoteonhisdefensebill.
Thebillhadbeendiscussiononthefloorseveraltimesandamendedacoupleof
times,andsomestuffaddedhedidntwant,alongwithbeingwatereddown.Allin
allhewasnthappywiththewaythebillwasgoing.Hehadacoupleofaidesgoing
aroundandcheckingthesenatorsandtheirvotes,Atonepointhehadenoughvotes
topassitinspiteofthewranglingthathadbeendone.Thenwhenthefinalvote
cameupsuddenlyhehadlost3criticalsenatorsvotes.andthebillwasnarrowly
defeated,bythenitwastheendofthesessionandhisterm,sothebillwasdead.
Richardcouldtelltheformeraidewasjustasupsettalkingaboutitnowashewas
whenithappened.Hehadbroughtacopyofthebill,askedtheformeraidetolook
itover,andgivehisideasonwhathadbeenbeenchangedbywhoandwhen.
Theyspentseveralhoursgoingoverthebill.Theaidebreakingitdowninto
englishRichardcouldunderstand,andpointingoutchanges,andasmuchashe
couldrememberwhohadmadethem,ThelistofsenatorsRichardhadbroughthelp
himrememberwhowhowantedwhat.
21
Takinghisnotesandnewunderstandingofthebillandhowthesenatorhad
managedtogetthingsdone,hewentbacktohisoffice.Therehesatandrethought
thewholecasefrombeginningtoend.Itslowlycametohimthatitwasnotjust
political,itwaspersonal,someonedidntwantJamesFarmertobeelected
President,becausehehadpromisedthathewouldbringupthebillagain,andthis
timehehadmoresupportforit.Thuscouldpossiblygetitpassed.Someonedidnt
wantitpassedbefore,anddidntwantitbroughttothelightofdayagain,evenifit
meantkillingthePresidentelectatthelastminute.Tobefair,therewasaveryshort
windowoftimetoputtogetheraplan,whichmeantwhoeverwasbehinditwas
probablybehindthekillingofbill,andhadtheresourcestogetinformationneeded
tokillthePresidentelect.AfterFivemonths,itwasstartingtocometogetherbut
RichardMackhadnoname,orainklingofwheretofindone.Heknewhowthe
killinghadbeendone,butcouldntproveit,hadnocar,norenterofsaidcar,He
didntknowwhohadmanagedtogetthebillkilled,althoughtheknewinhisgutit
wasthesamepersonwhowasbehindthemurder.Heknewalotofthingshe
couldntprove.andheknewhewasmissingsomething.Hewasntsurewhat,yet.

22
ChapterSix

RichardMackknewthetimehadcomeforsomeverydifferenttacksinhis
investigations.Hesentseveralteamsofdetectivesbacktothesenators,connected
withthebills,thistime,lookingatwhohadapproachedthem,toeithersupportthe
bill,ormoreimportantlywhowasinterestedingettingthemtotonotsupportit.
Theyalsostartedlookingatdefensecontractorswhowouldbeimpactedby
thebillinanegativeway,boththenandnow.Thentheybranchedouttolobbyist
forthedefensecontractorindustry,particularlythelessthanhonestones.A
numberofdefensecontractorspeakedtheirinterest,Oneofthemwasaverylarge
firmrunbyEmersonCarter.RichardMackwenttoseetheheadsofeachofthe
contractorspersonallytogethisfeelingonthempersonally.Withtheothermeeting
theywerenervous,whichwastobeexpected,andwereverycooperative,and
Richardhadnoproblemwiththem.However,withEmersonCarter,Richardfelt
hisgutturn,Hisinstinctstoldhimhewasbehindthebillfiasco,andthekilling.
Nowtoproveit.Hegotbacktotheofficegothisteamsofdetectives
together.Oneteamofdetectiveswastogooverhispersonallifefromthedayhe
wasborn,theotherteamwastogoovereveryinchofhisbusiness,andtherestof
theteamsweretogoovereveryoneemployedbyhisbusiness,andincludinghouse
staff.thegoalwastwofold,tolearneverythingtherewastoknowaboutEmerson
Carter,andfindsomething,anythingtoobtainsearchwarrants,andanorderfor
surveillance.Justhisgutknowinghewasbehindeverythingwasnotenoughto
makeacase.IttookseveraldaystogetbackgroundonEmersonCarter.
Meanwhileasmuchashecould,hekeptaloosetailonCarter.Legallyhecouldnt
doalotuntilhefoundsomethingtohangawarranton.
Richardmacktalkedtohissuperiors,theheadoftheFBI,andSecret
Service,andtoldhimhissuspicionsandlayedoutwhatheknew,oratleast
suspectedaboutthecase.Theyagreeditlookedgoodonpaper,buttheyneeded
hardproof,aconnectionbetweenthebillandCarter,andaconnectionbetween
Carterandthecar,andClarenceCrane,theyneedsomethingtotieeverything
together,oratleastlinkthemtosomethingtheycouldworkwith.Theygavehima
lotmorelatitudeininvestigatingthewholecaseingeneral,nowhehadaplaceto
finallyfocusinon,hewantedpermissiontodowhatheneededtotosolveit.
23
Personallytheydidntcare,However,legallytheyhavetomakesureeverythingis
legalandaboveboard,sowhenitallcameoutintheend.Therewasnoquestion,
thatRichardMackhadnotsteppedoverthelegallines.Allofhisreportson
everyonehisteamhadinvestigatedhadbeenfiled,interviewsrecorded,andfiled,
documented.Themountainofinformationthattheyhadduguponseveralhundred
peoplewasinasecurelocation.
EmersonCarter,wasofficiallydeclaredaPersonOfInterestwhichgave
themthegroundstheyneedtogetwiretapsandbankrecords,andfederalwarrants,
recordsconcerninghisbusiness,etc.Theyallknewitwasstretchingitabit,butit
waslegal,andwouldstandupincourtconsideringtheirotherevidence.

Withsearchwarrantsandsubpoenasinhand,theywenttogetphoneand
bankrecordsfromEmersonCarter,goingbackatleast10years.Theyalsowent
intohisbusinessbooks,andstartedopeninglyinterviewingemployees.Whilethey
didnthavealottogoon,theyhopedthatthepublicwouldgetsomeonetosay
somethingtheyshouldntorgetCartertomakeamistake.Althoughhehadmade
veryfewsofar.RichardMackhadseveralmeetingwithEmersonCarter,eachtime
helikehewasbeingplayed,likenowmatterwhathedid,Carterwasonestep
aheadofhim,Whichasmuchashehatedtoadmitit,Carterhadbeen,,untilnow.
ThediggingintoCartersshellcorporationsfinallyfoundthecompanythat
ownedthecompanythatdidthesubcontractworkfortheSecretServiceatthe
compoundforthelighting.ThustheyfinallyhadaconnectionbetweenEmerson
CarterandtheSecretService,andthusthekilling,
Theinvestigationbeganinarenewedearnest.NowRichardMackhada
threadtopull,hepulledit,hard.Everyinchofthecompanythatdidtheworkfor
theSecretServicewasgonebackoveragain,Peoplewereinterviewedand
decreationwasleftatthedoor,Therewasaexaminationofthebooks,Theowner
ofthecompanywasbroughtintotheFBIofficeandquestionedabouthistiesto
Carter,andwhatheknewaboutClarenceCrane.Hedidntseemtoknowmuch
aboutCrane,hehadjustbeenhiredforthejob,andhadpassedthebackground
checkbytheSecretService,tobeclearedtoworkonthejob.Asforhisfondness
forwoman,andcreativewaysofgettingmoney,Heknewnothingofthateither.A
closelookattheportfolioforhiscompanyshowedthatEmersonCartervarious
24
companiesheldmajorstockandcontrollinginterestinit,Whilehemayhave
owneditonpaper,EmersonCartercontrolledit.
Meanwhiletherecordsfromthephonecompaniesprovedtobeinteresting.
Therewereanumberofcallstonumbersofpeoplewhodidoffbookthingsfora
price,usuallyinvolvingprocuringillegalcars,guns,insomecasesidentitypapers
tomakeonedisappear.Thecallsweremadefromaofnumberfromdifferent
companiesCarterowned.Thedateswerewithinthewindowbetweenwhen
PresidentFarmerwaselectedandwhenhedied.Someonewaslookingtoget
information,findoutaboutexactlywherethePresidentelectwasstaying..andWho
knowswhatelse.RichardMack,hadhisdoubtsaboutthephonescallsthat
showedup,theyseemedtooobvious,Carterwassmarterthanthat.Hewould
havegottenprepaidcellphonestomakecallslikethatthendestroyedthem.Sothe
callshowingupintherecordswereeitherdiversionsorpeoplefromthecompanies
fortheirownreasons,havingnothingtodowiththiscase.Regardless,hehadhis
detectivescheckthemoutanyways.
AftertalkingwiththecellphonecompaniesintheWashingtonarea,hefound
thetheycouldtriangulatecallsmadeintheareaofCartersresidenceandmain
businessoffices,lookingfornumbersthatcameasregularcellphone,orbusiness
phonesphonesnumbers.Itwasaprocessofelimination,eliminatenumberthey
knew,hispersonalcellphone,businessphonescalls,andcallsfromstaffwhohad
cellphones,astheynowhadtheirnumberstoo.Ittookseveralweeksofcombing
throughaseaofnumbersandcheckingthenumberthatwerebeingcalled.They
finallyhitpaydirt.Therewasanumberofcallsmadeintherighttimeframefroma
numberofofnumbersnotaccountedforinonewayoranother.
Thenextstepwasdoingwaswassupposedtobeundoable,tracingthem,at
leastasfarastowheretheysold.ItsamazingwhataFederalSubpoenacando.
Thenumberweretracedbacktothemanufacturedateofthephonesassignedthe
number,andwheretheywereshippedforretailsales,andwheretheywere
eventuallyputoutintoretailsales.Knowingthelocationsofthesalesofthephones
wouldhelpfindthepersonwhohadboughtthem.Richardmackandhisteam,
wenttoeachoftheretailersandtalkedtothem,showedthempicturesofEmerson
Carter,andseveralofhishouseholdstaff.Theyhadtovisitatleastsixstores,
beforesomerememberedseeing,Cartershouseboy,andchauffeur,stopandbuy
25
severalprepaidphones.RichardMackfiguredthehouseboydidntknowwhat
Carterwasdoing,hewasjustfollowingorders.Carterprobablykeptthewhole
Presidentialthingonaneedtoknowbasis,withhismoneyitwouldnothavebeena
problemtogetpeopletodowhatheneededwithouttellingthemwhy.
RichardMackspentalotoftimecrossreferencingthenumbertoother
numbersofinterest.FinallyhefoundonetiedtotheexcontractortheSecret
Servicehadhiredtodothelightsinthecompoundbeforetheelection.
Thatphonenumberwasfinallytieddirectlytooneofseveralthatwere
unaccountedforattheEmersonCarterestate,andbusiness.Thustyinghimdirectly
totheassassinationofthepresidentelect.

26

ChapterSeven

Aftermonthsofchasingshadowsandlookingateveryleadnomatterhow
remote,mostuselesshefinallyhadenoughtobringinEmersonCarter.Thecase
wasthin,butitwasenoughtoholdhimandtalktohimforawhile.hopefullyhed
breakitapproachedright.
HomelandSecurity,SecretService,andFBIallsentoutajointstatementthat
aPersonofInteresthadbeenbroughtinunderextremesecurity,bothfortheir
andhisprotection.Theyrefusedtonameanynameorgiveanydetails.Onlytosay
thatafter5monthsthiswasthefirsttangibleleadthattheyhad,andrefusedtoagain
togivedetails.EndofStatement.

EmersonCarterwasprocessed,fingerprinted,andsenttoasecureprivate
holdingcellareaattheFBIheadquarters,inWashingtonDC.Theyranhisprints
andtheydidntmatchanythingfoundinanydatabase.RichardMacklethimsitfor
awhilewhilehecollectedhisteam.
Theyspendanhourgoingovereverybitofevidencetheyhad,whichas
individualpieces,wasntmuch,butputtogetheritwasprettyconvincing.

EmersonCarterwasescortedtointerrogationroom,theclassiconeway
glassandvideocamerawereallthere.RichardMackmadehimwaitanother15
moreminutes,whilehewatchedfrombehindtheglasstoseehowCarterreacted.
HehadalsoreviewedthetapesofwhenCarterwasintheholdingcell.
FinallyHecameintotheroom.satacrossfromCarter.Thetwoeyedeach
otherforaminute,tryingtofigureoutwhattheotherwasupto.Mackwaspoker
face,showingnothing.
Mackhadafileseveralinchesthick,withhim,Heploppeditdownonthe
tableinfrontofhimloudly.
ThisisYourLifeEmersonCarterMayIcallyouEmerson?
Carternoddedyes.
MrCarterwehavehereeverythingthingthereistoknowaboutyou,since
thedayyouwereborn,everythingaboutyourparents,yourbrotherandsister,and
27
theirfamilies.EverythingthereistoknowaboutCarterIndustriesyourdefense
contractorbusinessandtheotherbusinessyouown
Doyouhaveanyideawhyyou'rehere?
Ihavebeentryingtofigurethatoutforsometime,alittleenlightenment
wouldbeniceCarterresponded,almostflippantly.
Mackdidntsayanything.Insteadhepulledoutacoupleofpicturesfroma
file.LayedtheminfrontofCarter.TheyweretheshotsofthePresidentandhis
wifejustashehadleftthem.Crumpledupintheirbedbleedinganddead.
Mackdidntsayaword,justlookedatCarter.Carterlookedatthe
Pictures,thenupatMack.YoursayingIdidthis?
Mackstilldidntsayanything.insteadhepulledoutacopyofthebillthat
Carterhadhadkilledyearsago.Carterlookedatit.lookedbackatthepictures.
thenuptoMack.
AssumingforthemeresecondthatIdiddoit,whatdoesthatoldbillthat
diedinthesenateyearsagohavetodowithnow,whatmotivedoesthatgiveme
now?
Becauseyouknew,ifFarmertookofficehewouldbringitupagain,andhe
hadthevotestomakeitstick,youmanagedtogetitkilledonce,butitwasunlikely
youcouldgetittogoawayagain.SothePresidentelecthadtogoinstead.
YoucantproveIhadanythingtodowiththebillbeingkilledinthefirst
place,andhowwouldIknowheplannedtobringitupagainwhenhetookoffice?
Thatdoesn'tmakesense.
YourerightifIcouldntproveyouhadthebillkilledyearsago,andifI
couldntproveyouknewwhathewasgoingtodo.
Emerson,wanttoknowwhatwevebeendoingdoingforforthelast5
months?Wevebeengoingovereverysinglepieceofinformationandpersoneven
remotelyconnectedtothePresidentslife,particularlyhisSenatedays,Wevetalked
toeverysinglepersonwhoeverknoworworkedwithhim,fromhisaide,toALL
oftheotherSenators,andlobbyistatthetime.Wehavestatementsfromeveryone
remotelyconnectedtohimandyou,detailingyourinvolvementinhisbillandyour
effortstogetitkilled.Now,Therealquestionisnowishowdidyouknowabout
hisplantoreintroducethebillnow?
RichardMackdeliberatelyleftoutdetails,andfacts,notwantingto
28
completelytiphishand,andalsowantingtoseeCartersreaction.Cartersatfora
minute,consideringhisoptions,whichwerentalot.Iftheyknewthismuch,who
knowwhatelsestheyknew?Finallyhespokeslowlytakinghistimecarefully
choosinghiswords.
Youprobablyhavemeonthekillingofthebill,butthatwastenyearsago,
andItechechnallydidnothingillegal.ButforthemurderofthePresidentandhis
wife...WhatmotivedoIhavenow?
RichardMackalsoconsideredhiswordscarefully,aslookedEmerson
Carterstraightintheface,Becauseyouhatedhim.Hehadcostyoualotof
moneyandresourcestogetthebillkilled.Nowyoufoundoutitwascomingback,
Hehadtogo
Theystaredateachotherafewseconds.CarterHowwouldIknowwhathe
wasgoingtodo?
Ithoughtaboutthat,andwentbackandtalkedhiscurrentstaff.Therewere
onlytwopeoplewhocompletelyknewwhathehadplaned.OnewasKimberly,
somehowIdoubtthatshetoldanyone.Theotherwashispersonalsecretary
RobertBlaine.Knowhim?MackshowedCarterapictureofBlaine.Carterlooked
andshowednosignofrecognition,Slowlyitbegantosinkin,hehadbeen
played.YesheknowBlaine.Hehadmethimseveraltimes,andtheyhadstalked
aboutthefuturepresidentsplansandhisagendaforthenation.Mostofwhichhe
agreedwith,inspiteofhishatredfortheman.Afterallhewasfairifnothingelse,
evenifhehatedyou,buthadgoodideas,hewouldtrytoworkwithyou.Allofthis
passedinCarter'smindinafewseconds,ashesatlookingatMack.

FinallyEmersonCarterspokeWoulditbepossibleformetomakea
deal?
TheonlydealthereisisweatheryouhangorgotoGuanantalforlife.Asof
thisminuteyouareconsideraenemyofthestate,andhavenorights.
Isee.ItakeityouhavetheproofthatIdidthis?indicatingthepicturesof
thepresident,whichwerestillonthetable.
Yes.Rightthismomentfederalagentsaregoingoverybuildingandbusiness
youown,yourhouse,,forensiccomputerexpertsarecombingyourcomputer
systems,andforensicsaccountantsaregoingoveryourbooksbothpersonaland
29
business.Ifthere'ssomethingyoudliketotellme,nowwouldbeaverygood
timetodoit..
EmersonCarterknewfromexperiencethattherewasatimeandplacefor
lawyers,Healsoknewthechancesofhimgettingonethatwouldconsider
defendinghimwhereslimandnone.Atleastonethatwasanygood.
Soheoptedforthenextbestoption.
Iwouldliketomakeastatementfortherecord.Witnesswerecalledinto
theroom,andarecordercameintotakedownhisstatement.Forthenextseveral
hours,hedetailedexactlywhathehadbeendoinginrelationtothemurderofthe
Presidentelectandhiswife.essentiallyconfessing.Healsowantedtomakeit
understoodwherehehadgottentheinformationaboutthebillcomingback,andas
muchashehatedhim,ifithadnotbeenforthebillhewouldhavenotdone
anything,becauseinspiteofhispersonalviews,helikehimasaPresident.

EmersonCarterwasmovedtoasecurelocationtoprocessedandarranged
andbookedandasecurecellblocktobehousedinwhiletheyfiguredouthowto
handlehim.
Anewstatementwasputout,thenextdaysayingthatthePersonofInterestform
YesterdayhadbeenformallychargedwiththeexecutionofthePresident_electand
hiswifebackinJanuary.
Thepresswasalloverthestoryinsecondsitwasaroundtheworldwild
speculationaboutwhothemysterymanwasabounded.Allofthebignetworktalk
showshadtheirhostdebatingwhoitcouldbeandwhy,andeditorialsforand
againstthemurdersurfacedagain.
Fortunately,sofartheFBIhadmanagedtokeepatightlidonwhattheywere
doingandtherehadbeennoleaks.

30

ChapterNine

RichardMack,andhisteamthoughttheyweredoneforawhile.Helethis
teamtakeaweekoffandregroup.HewenttohisfarmoutsideofRichmond
Virginia,andrelaxed,andlethismindworktheproblemfromotherangles.Often
onsuchcasesasthishehadfoundanewwaytoseethecasehedmissedbefore.
ItslowlycametohimWhowouldbenefitfromthedeathofthesoontobe
President?andWhyWouldRobertBlainespillthesecrets?WhatifCarterhadbeen
inessencesetuptodothekillingbypushingtheonebuttontheyknewwouldpush
himovertheedge?

Sotherewasstillsomeoneoutthere,behindBlaineandCarterpullingstrings.He
Startedlookingatrecenteventssincethenewadministration,,hadtakenover,The
VicePresidentelectbecamethePresident,Sowhatwouldthathavegained
someoneorsomegroup?Themorehethought,themorequestionshecameup
with.Hedidntlikeanyofthem.Theentiretimetimehewasattheranch,hekepta
book,inwhichhewrotethequestionsandideasdown,goingoveritscaredhim
therewerealotofscarcelyquestionsthatneededanswers,
ThefollowingMondayRichardmackandhiscoreteamofabout12senior
agentswhohetrustedmetandadinerforaearlybreakfast.
Hehandedeachofthemacopyofhisquestions,nowneatlyorganized.
Theyreadthem.RichardMackspokeinalowvoiceasnottobeheardabovethe
noseofthediner.
Wehaveawholenewsetofproblemsherenow.Asidefromnotknowing
whoisactuallybehindBlaineandCarter,andalmostmoreimportantly,wedont
knowwhowecantrustinourdepartments.
OvertheyearsRichardMachhadassembledacoreteamofinvestigators
whowereabovereproach,andaboveaverageatwhattheydo.Whileallwere
skilledinterviewers,eachhadaspeciality,Onewascomputergeek,andcouldhack
intotheNSAifneeded,Anotherwasskilledatlocks,andanotherwasexpertand
31
lookingatabody,andtellingalmostasmuchasthedrcouldafteraastopsty.All
haveprovedthemselvesunderfireandcameout,fine.Theyexcellentshots,and
rarelymissedwhattheywereaimingat.
Astheysatinthedinerthespringmorning,eachthoughtaboutthe
ramificationsofthequestionstheirbosshasputforward.
Aftersomediscussionstheydecidedchangethewaytheyworkedandhow
theycommunicated,duetothepossibilityoftheirradiosandcellphonesandemails
beingmonitored.Whiletheycouldntsuddenlystopusingtheirregularcellphones,
theydecidedtolimittheirusetononcriticalthingsonly.Theyalsosetupapanic
word,theycouldtextorsayiftheyneedimmediatehelp.Theyalsowentbackto
mucholdschoolwaysaspossibletheygotnotebooksandandkeptnotes,no,
electroniccommunicationaboutthecase.Afterthemeetingandmeal,theybroke
upintotheirassignments,andeachwenttogetaprepaidcellphone,makingsureto
getonefromaplacethathadnosecuritycameras.
ThefirstorderofbusinesswastofindoutthelifestoryofRobertBlaine.
Usingonlinerecordsandotherresourcestheyfoundthebasics,thentheystarted
goingdeeperintohislife,talkingtohiswife,andotherfamilymembers.Theyhad
tobecreativeaboutwhytheywerethereaskingquestions,Afterseveraldaysof
followinghimandallbutbugginghisphones,theyfinallybroughthimin.

TheyputhiminthesameintegrationroomastheyhadEmersonCarter.
RichardMackcamein,satdown,hehadtwobigfolderswithhimthistime.
PlopIthitthetablebetweenthem.BlainelookedupandMackashesat
down.
ThisisyourLife,RobertBlaineindicatingafolder.
ThisisthePresidentElectsLifeindicatingtheotherfolder
Whichonedoyouthinkwecareaboutthemost?
RobertBlainejuststaredatMackforaminute.Youhaveanyidea
whyyou'rehere?Mackpulledoutthesametwopicturesofthedead
presidentshedusedonCarter.Blainestareddownatthepictures.Hed
neverseenthembeforebecausetheywereneverreleasedtothepublic.Itwas
obiviousthatBlaineasabouttobephyicallysickatthesightofthepictures,
RichardMackjusthandedhimabucketwithaplasticbaginit,didntsaya
32
word.AfteraminuteBlainecalmeddown.Thebucketwasputdown.
ThenRichardMackshowedBlaineanotherpictureEmersonCarter.
Blainelookedatitaminute.Tellmeabouthim.Whydidyoutellhimwhat
thePresidentwasplanningoncehewasinoffice?Whatexactlydidyoutell
him,andwhy?
Afteralongpause,Blainelookedatthepicturesagain.Hebarelyglancedat
thepicturesofthedeadpresidentandhiswife.ButlookedmostlyatCarter.
CarterwantedinformationaboutwhatFarmerwasplaningoncehe
wasinoffice.Notthepublicstuff,butthebehindthescenesstuff.Andhe
waswillingtopayforit.Funnythingis,someonewaspayingmetosellhim
thesameinformation.Ithoughtitwasweirdatthetime.Iwouldgettheses
bundlesofcashdeliveredtome,,Idfindtheminmycarsomemornings,
afterIdmetwithCarter.Ionlytalkedtohimacoupleoftimesonthe
phone.
Letmegetthisstraight,youweregettingpaidbyCartertogiveyou
information,andsomeoneelsewaspayingyoutogiveittohim,hereally
didntcareifyougotpaidtwice.?
Yep,thatsthegistofit.Ikeptmostofthecashtheygavemefor
kidscollegefund,Youwantit?
Yeswedlikedtohaveit,particularlythemoneyfromthestranger.
andwhateveritwaswrappedin.Youknow,wecanchargeyouwith
accessorytocommitacrime.?JustsellingthePresidentelect'spersonal
informationisacrime,regardlesswhathappensafterthat.
Look,Ihadnoidea.whatwouldhappen,orwhyhewantedthe
information,hedidnttellme.
Ireckonheprobablydidnttellanyonewhathewasupto.

TheytemporaryreleasedRobertBlaine,onhisownreconisconsasthey
werentsurehowtochargehimandtheyfelthemightbeusefulloutand
about.Bytheendoftheday,hewasathomewithhisfamilyswornto
secrecyaboutwhathadhappenedattheFBIBuilding,andhadconsentedto
lettingthemmonitorhisphonesandothercommunications,sotheydidnt
needawarrant.HealsogotRichardMackthemoneyfromhisunknown
33
friend.
ChapterTen

RichardMackandhisteamwentoverRobertBlainesphonesrecords,
lookingforthecallhesaidhedgotten.ThistimetheyhadhelpbecauseBlaine
couldhelpnarrowdownthetimeframetheyneededtolookat,andhelpweedout
numberhedidntknow.Becausetheywantedtodoaslittleelectronicallyas
possible,theyhadBlaineprintouthisbillsforthelastseveralmonths.Blainehad
madealistofeverynumberheknewofthatshouldbethere,forwhateverreason.
andtheyhelpednarrowthelistofpossiblenumbers.Stillgoingoverthreetofour
monthsofnumbersandbillswasachallenge.Afterthebetterpartofaday,
eliminatingnumbersandcrossreferencingnumbers,theyfinallyfoundonethat
didntbelong.Unfortunatelyitwasablockednumber.Judgingfromthetimeithad
camein,inrelationtowhatwashappeningatthetime,ithadtobeBlainesfriend
withthemoneySotheywerebackwheretheystartedfrombefore.
Thenextstepwastoexaminethemoneysitself.andwhatithadcamein.
Thebagwasaplainbrownbagyoucangetanywhere,andtherenoprintsonit,
insideoutoutside.Themoney,howevercouldbetraced.Theywerelarge
denominations,100sand50s.Therewasnobankwrapperonthem,butallthe
sametheserialnumbershadbeeninabankatsomepointintheirlives,
ACoupleofcallsandafavorcalledin,andRichardMacksfriendinthe
bankingindustryagreedtotracethebillsquietly,noquestionsasked.Theyheld
somebackincasetheyneededmoreleverageorproofthemoneyexisted.itwas
welldocumentedbeforeitwassenttobetraced.
IttookseveraldaysforRichardMacksfriendtogetbacktohimonthe
money.Whathefoundwasthatthemoneywasold,enoughthatithadbeenin
circulationlongenoughtobevirtuallyuntraceable.Inotherwordsadeadend.
TheywentbacktoRobertBlaine,andconcentratedontryingtofindanother
anglewithhimtheymayhavemissed.
AsRichardMackthoughtmoreaboutthewholescenarioThemurderofthe
President,thetrickingofEmersoncarterintodoingit,thefeedingofthecritical
information,thatwhoeverwasbehindit,knewwouldsetCarterofftodowhathe
did,thepayingofRobertBainestofeedtheinformationtoCarter.Someonewho
34
hadinsideknowledgeofwhatPresidentFarmerwasplanningtodoafterhewas
elected.

RichardMackagainassembledhisteamofinvestigatorsatthesamedinner
wheretheyhadbeenmeetingregularly.Thediscussionthistimecenteredaround
JamesFarmer'scampaign.Whatwereisplatformlines,andwhathadhebeen
preachingonthecampaigntrail?Alookonhiscampaignwebsitewasvery
enlightening.Amongthetraditionrhetoricaboutbudgetsandhealthcare,and
nationaldefense,allofwhichRichardMackpersonallyapprovedof,therewasa
verystrongproSecondAmendmentstance.Somethingthattheyhadoverlooked.
Diggingdeeperintothetapesofhisspeeches,andinterviews.theyfoundhe
hadbeenveryvocalinhissupportoftheConstitution,andtheSecondAmendment
inparticular.Theteamswentoutandinterviewedhiscampaignstaff,concentrating
onthosepaidstafferswhowereclosesttohim,andhiscampaignmanager.

Interviewswiththestaffersandcampaignmanagersprovedinteresting.
Yes,therewasastronglinedrawnsupportingtheConstitutionandSecond
Amendment,Richardwastoldhisspeechesthatcoveredthesetopicsgotthebest
response,andsupport.Intheirpollinghisvotersoverwhelminglysupportedhis
positionsonthesetopics.Infactthecampaignmanagersaidtheyweresurethat
mostlywhatgothimelected.Themanagersaidhehadplanestoplaceaprosecond
amendmentconservativestojudgeships,andoustthecurrentAttorneyGeneral,
alongwithanumberofotherkeypost,includingSecretaryofState,inshortit
wouldhavebeenawholenewWhiteHouse,manystafferswhohehadissueswith
begoing.Hewasgoingtocleanhouse.Mackwantedtoknowhowwidelythis
majorshakeupwasknowntooutsiders.Themanagersaidthewasntsure,He
knowtherehadbeensomeleaksaboutwhowasto,andotherchangesinpolicy
ect,buttherearealwaysleaks,soitwashardtotellhowfartheygot,andtowhom
theyeventuallywoundupto.MackalsoaskedaboutthreatstothePresidentslife,
especiallyinrelationtotheSecondAmendmentagenda.Hewasgivenalistof
about12crediblethreats,theyresttheyhaddismissedasnotworthbotheringwith,
TheSecretServicehadinvestigatedeachofthem,andfoundnothing.

35
AllofthisprovidedmuchfoodforthoughtforRichardMack.Hespentthe
weekendlookingupthepersonalmentionedandwhentheystartedbackon
Monday,hehadawholenewlistofpeopleforhisteamtostartinvestigating.He
alsonowhadthelistofthreats,whichhegavetotheteamtostartdigginginto.
Also,hewantedthemtolookintotheantigunpeopleandseewhatcouldbefound
there.Heknowthegunissueswasaverytouchyissue,therewasnomiddleground
there,youwereeitherprogun,orantigun,withnomiddleground,Healsoknew
howstronglymanyoftheantigungroupsfeltandwhatmanyoftheirmethods
were.Butwouldtheystopatmurdertogetwhattheywanted?RichardMack
consideredthisanddecidedthattherearecertaingroupswhoareradicalenoughto
trytopullsomethinglikethisoff.GiventhePresidentsstatedstanceongunissues
andhisplanstochangekeypositions,itseemedmorethanlikelytheywouldatleast
considerit.Butwhowouldhavethepositiontoknowallthedetailsandbeina
positiontopullitoff?Hestartedhisteaminglookingatthemajorantigungroups,
andtheirleadership,lookingforanyconnectiontothePresident,oranyofthe
peoplewhowereonthechoppingblock,comeNovember,whenhetookoffice.

Againitwaslikelookingforaneedleinahaystack,onlyatleastthistimethey
hadasmallerhaystack.RichardMackandhisteam,spendacoupleofweeks
goingintoeveryone'slivesfromthedaywereborn,untilnow.Soontheyfound
whattheywerelookingfor.

36

ChapterEleven

Thefinalpiecestothepuzzlefinallycameintoview,thequestionbecame
whatdidtheymean,andhowdidtheyfittogether?
WhattheyhaduncoveredwasamysteriouslinkbetweentheAttorney
GeneraloftheUnitedStates,andtheleaderofthelargestmostpowerful,well
fundedantigungroupinthenation.Apersonallink.

EllerySpencer,theAttorneyGeneralortheUnitedStates,hadbeenhaving
secretdealingwiththeAntiGungroup,AmericansAgainstGunViolence,Linda
Clay.TheyfoundamoneytrailbetweenherandEllerySpencer.Further
investigation,andinterviewswithknownassociatesofbothconfirmedthattheyhad
beenworkingtogethertotrytounderminetherightsoflawabidingcitizenstokeep
andbeararms,evenforrecreation,muchlessforselfdefense.apparentlyshehad
beenpayinghimlargeamountsofmoneytomakerulingandappointmentsof
peoplewhowereantiguninkeypositions.Thushelpingtostrengthentheirholdon
theadministration.

Afterseveralweeksofwatchingthetwo,RichardMackdecideditwastime
tobringtheminforquestioning.HealreadyhadenoughonLindaClaytoputherin
jailforaverylongtimeonbriberyandinfluencepeddling,andahostofother
crimesrelatedtotheantigunmovementsheran.TheAttorneyGeneralEllery
Spencer,wasadifferentmatteraltogether.Hehadhisonacceptingthebribes,he
hadusedhisinfluencetoonpolicymatterforhisownpersonalagenda,andhad
outrightliedtothepublicaboutwhathewasdoingbehindthescenes.

PickingupLindaClaywasapleasure.RichardMackmeetheratheroffice
onMondaymorningwhenshearrivedattheHeadquartersofAmericansAgainst
GunViolence.Hestoppedheratthefrontdoor,Askedtospeakwithher,showed
herhisbadgeandaskedhertocomewithhim.Shestartedtomakeabigscene,
raisinghervoiceandrefusingtogowithhim.
WhyshouldIgowithyouandwastemydaytalkingtoyou?Sheloudly
37
asked.
Mam.ifyoudontcomequietly,Ihavetoplaceyouunderarrestandcuff
yourighthereanddragyouout.Yourchoice.RichardMackcalmlyresponded.
Thatgotherattention,shedecideditwasbettertocomealongandseewhat
theywanted.NeitherspokeawordinthecaronthewaytoFBIheadquarters.
OnceinshewasprocessedandputinthesameinterrogationroomMackhadused
withCarter,andtherestofthepeopleonthiscase.Helethersitandstewforabout
ahalfhour.

Finallyhecamein.
LindaClaysatacrossfromher,nervousandunsurewhathewanted.Richard
tossedseveralfilesonthetablebetweenthem.

Shelookedatthem,tryingtoreadtheirlabels,butcouldn't.
Richardsatdownslowly.
LindaClay,thisisyourlifeindicatingoneofthefiles.weknoweverything
thereistoknowaboutyoufromthedayyouwereborn,untilnow.
Thisone,indicatinganotherisEllerySpencer'slife.Wealsoknow
everythingabouthimfromthedayhewasborn.DoIneedtoexplainhowyoutwo
areconnected?
LindaClaysatlookingathim,andthenthetwofiles,nothingthatthereisa
thirdfile.
YouhavebeenbribingEllerySpencertodocertainthingyouwanteddone
toforwardyourantigunmovement.andtogetmoreinfluenceinthetheWhite
House.Influencewhichyouhavenorighttohave.Alltowardtheendof
forwardingyourpoliticalagenda,ofbanninggunforallamericans.arightwhichis
guaranteedbytheSecondAmendment.Whichyouseemtohaveaissuewith,how
muchoftheConstitutiondoyouhaveissueswith?
LindaClaywastakenabackbythisdirectstatementofexactlywhatshehad
beendoingoverthelastseveralyears.Howhehadgottenthisinformationwas
beyondher,theyhadbeenverycarefultobediscrete,andleavenopapertrail,but
theyhadntbeenasgoodatastheythoughttheyhad.
Theofficialchargespendingarebriberyofapublicofficial,influence
38
peddling,andvariousothercountsinrelationthoses.Thebiggestoneismurder.
Hepausedaminutetoletthatsoakin.Thelookonherfacewasshockand
surprise.
Hethenturnedtothethirdfile.reachedinandpulledoutthesametwo
picturesofthedeadPresidentFarmer,wheretheyhadfoundhim.Lindahadnever
seenthesepicturesbefore.shejustsatandlooked.Thecolordrainedfromher
face.
Youarealsochargedwiththeplanningandfundingandfacialingthemurder
ofPresidentElectJamesFarmer,andhisWifeKimberly,onNovember20thoflast
year.YourandyouragentsworkingforyouconspiredtohavethePresidentelect
murdered,becauseofhisstanceagainsttheguncontrolissues.Hisprogunand
proConstitutionstanceputyourantigunmovementisjeopardyoffailure,andhad
thepotentialtocostyoualotofmoneyfromyourbackers.SoyouandElley
SpencerhatchedupthisplanwithhisinsideknowledgeoftheWhiteHouse,and
FarmershistoryasasenatorinVirginia,andthebillhehadproposedtotighten
controlofdefensecontractors,andyoulearnedaboutEmersonCarter,whichyou
andEllerySpencerwereabletoconvincehimtomurderthepresident.While
Carterpulledthetrigger,youarejustasguiltyashimintheeyesofthelaw.

LindaClayknewthatiftheyhadthismuch,theyprobablyhadenoughygo
makeitstick,ortheywouldnthavebroughtherin.RichardMackreadherthe
chargesandcalledaofficertocomeandtakehertobeprocessed,andbooked
andputinacell.

ThenextmorningfoundRichardMack,andhisagentswaitingforEllery
Spenceratattheendofhisdriveway,inasuburbofWashington,
MrEllerySpencer?HeaskedwhenSpencergotoutofhiscartoseewho
hadblockedhislimo.
Yes,HowcanIcanhelpyou?
ImSpecialAgent,RichardMack,FBI,Implacingyouunderarrestfor
compserisarytocommitmurder,forthemurderofPresidentelectJamesFarmer,
andKimberlyFarmer.Hethenreadhimhismirandarights,whilehandcuffswere
puton.OnceinthecarMacktoldhimtoshutupandenjoytheride,itwashislast
39
rideasafreeman.TheridetotheFBIheadquarterswasuneventful,neitheraisda
word.RichardMackwonderedwhathisresponsewouldbewhenheconfronted
himwiththeevidencetheyhadagainsthim,andLindaClay.EllerySpencer,forhis
part,satwonderinghowtheyhadgottentohim,andexactlyhowmuchtheyknew
orthoughttheyknew,Theyobviouslyknewsomethingandandhadleadsthatlead
themtohim,theyquestionwashowsolidwastheseleadsandinformation,and
woulditstick?Healsoknowevenifhedidmanagenottobefoundguiltyofwhat
theyhadchargedhimwith,hislawandpubliccareerwasoveronewayoranother.

AttheFBIheadquarter,EllerySpencer,wasprocessed,fingerprintedand
searchedjustlikeanyothersuspecttheybringinonaregularbasis.LindaClayhad
donethesamethingthedaybefore.Finally,ElleryFoundhimselfinainterrogation
room,Richardmackagainlethimsetforawhilebeforecomingin.Hehada
numberofbigfolderswithhim.Droppedthemtothetable,withabigbang,
startlingEllerySpencer.
YoumurderedpresidentElectJamesfarmer,byproxy,whichmakesyou
justasguiltyasthemanwhopulledthetrigger.YouandLindaClay.
Hestoppedthereandletitsinkin.
WhatdoesthishavetodowithmeorthisLindaClayyoumentioned?
Becauseyouandherconspiredtotoarrangeforagentlemannamed
EmersonCartertomurderthePresident.Itwascleveralright,ttookussometime
butwefoundthelinkstohimandfinallytoyouandLindaClayTodayyouwillbe
formallychargedandarraigned.RichardMackreachedintoonefolderpulledout
thepicturesofthedeadpresidentandhiswife,sameoneshedshowntoCarter,
andClaybefore.thisiswhatyoudid,amongotherthings.ElerySpencerlooked
atthepicturesandturnedwhite,putthemdown,andsaid
Idliketocallmylawyer
Goodluckfindingonewhowilltakeonthiscase.Nogoodlawyerswill
wanthisnameattachedtothismess.

40
ChapterTwelve

Laterthatafternoon,theFBIalongwiththeSecretService,andHomeland
Securitymadeajointannouncement
ThreepeoplehadbeenchargedintheJanuaryMurderofPresidentelect
JamesFarmerandhiswifeKimberly.ThoseindictedwereEmersonCarter,US
AttorneyGeneralEllerySpencer,andLindaClayfounderandleaderofthegroup
AmericanagainstGunViolence,aantigungroupthatshefoundedwithbacking
byseveralhighprofilebillionaires.EmersonCarter,isawellknown,eouponiorand
businessman,withbusinessinthedefenseindursty.Heischargedwithactually
committingthemurders.SpencerandClayarechargedwithconspiracytocommit
murder,alsochargesrangingfrombribery,toinfluencepeddling,andtheftof
governmentinformationforpersonalgain.Allarebeingheldataundisclosed
locationpendingtheirappearanceincourtlaterthisweek.TheFBIrefusedto
releaseanymoreinformation,citingtheneedtokeepinformationprotecteduntil
indictmentsarehandeddown.Thepressgrabbedthisandwithinhoursitwas
aroundtheworld,everypundit,newscasterspentalotoftimegoinginto,the
backgroundsofthekeypeoplelisted.
Severaldayslater,EmersonCarter,EllerySpencer,andLindaClay,found
themselvesinfrontofafederaljudge,waitingfortheprocuster,toreadthe
chargesagainstthemandhandthecaseovertothecourt.RichardMackwasthere
togivedetailsabouttheconnectionsbetweenthemandandpresentdocuments
andaffidavitssupportingthecase.

JudgeMichaelThomashadtheunfortunatelucktohavethecaselandonhisbench.
Henowhadthemostimportanttrailofthelastcenturyinhiscourt.Thefirstthing
hedidwasclosethecourtroom,toreportersandagagorderforbiddinganyparty
inthecasefromtalkingaboutittoanyonenotdirectlyinvolvedinthecase.
Thepresshadcampedoutaroundthecourthouse,lookingtofindanytidbit
ofinformation,Thesuspectswereheldinahighsecurityjail,andbroughtintothe
courtvia,secretpassagestoprotecttheiridentitiesandlives.

41
FinallythedaycamewhenEmersonCarterwasincourt,Asperhisstatement
severalweeksago,headmittedpubliclythathehadpulledthetriggerandkilledthe
PresidentElectJamesFarmer,andhiswifeKimberly.InopencourtCarter
explainedhowhehadplannedthemurder,andwhy,detailingthedefensebills
SenatorFarmerhadproposedbackwhenhewasasenator,hisinsideinformation
thatthepresidentelecthadplannedtobringbackthatbill.Hedetailedhowhehad
gottenhisinformationfrom,RobertBlaineanddecidedthatheneededtotokillthe
president.RobertBlainewascalledintosupportCarter'stestimony,explaining
wherehehadgottenhisinformation,andhowhehadworkedoutthecarhedused
togettotheplacewhereheparkedit.
FromtherethelinestoEllerySpencer,andLindaClaybecametricker.Richard
MackpresentedevidencethatshowedthattheyhadusedEllerySpencersinside
knowledgeofPresidentFarmersplansofhisplatformsandwhathehadwas
planningtobringupinthenationalagendahisprogunandproconstitution
stance,andhisplanstofirealmosteveryoneintheadministration,includingEllery
Spencer.DocumentsshowedthatSpencerhadbeenpushinganantigunplatform,
suppliedbyLindaClay,againsttheofficialplatformswhichweregenerallyprogun
andconstitutional.PhonecallrecordsshowedcallesbetweenLindaClay,andEllry
Spencer,goingbackseveralmonthsbeforetheelection.allonhomephones,andto
privatenumbersforbothofthem.AlsoacashwithdrawalwasshownfromLinda
Clayspersonalaccount.TheamountmatchedexactlywithRobertBaineshadbeen
paidtoleaktheinformationtoEmersonCarter.Furthercloserexaminationof
individualbillsfoundbothLindaClaysandEllerySpencerprintsonsomeofthe
bills.

42
ChapterThirteen

Whileallofthiswasgoingonbehindcloseddoorsincourt,Theworld
mediawashavingafielddaypredictingwhattheoutcomewouldbeandwhen
officialinformationinformationwouldbereleased.Everymediapundithadtheir
versionofwhatwashappeninginthecourtrooms.andwerentshyabouttellingit.

AftertwoweeksofcloseddoorhearingtheFBI,SecretService,and
DepartmentofHomelandSecurityallreleasedajointstatementindicatingallthree
suspectsforthemurderandplanningofthemurderofPresidentElectJames
Farmer.Atrialdatehadbeensetwithnobailandallthreewouldremainincustody

ForRobertMacktheworstwasnowover.heandhisteamturnedintheir
finalreportsandgavefinaldepositionstoeveryonefromheadofFBIondowna
dozentimes.RobertMackgavehisteamawelldeservedbreakforsomeserious
timeoff,andheheadedbacktohisranchnearRichmondtotrytorelaxandunwind
fromthiscase.
RobertMackspentthenexttwoweeksreading,shootingoutontherange,
listeningtohisrecordcollection.Forovertwoweeksheneverturnedonhis
television.Hespendmostofthetimecatchinguponworkhehadntdonebefore
becauseofthecase,andnotbeingthere.
Finally,ontheendofthesecondweekhesatdowntowatchamovieon
TCM,andinchangingtothechannel,helandedonthelocalnews.Thereright
beforehiseyeswasthesolutiontothewholemystery.Thereonthescreenwasthe
formerVicePresident,nowPresidentdistancinghimselffromEllerySpencer,and
theirlegalproblemsconcerningtheformerPresidentElect.
RobertMackpickuphisphone,
Tohistopteammember
BacktoWorkWerenotdone.Startdiggingintoconnectionsbetweenthe
currentpresidentandEllerySpencer,especiallyLindaClayandhergroup,By
morningIwanttoknoweverythingthereistoknowabouthim.Illbebackatthe
officelateinthemorning.

43
ChapterFourteen

Thenextdayfoundhiswholeteamassembledinhisofficegoingbackoverground
theyhadcovered.ThefileonthecurrentPresidentwasthick.goingalltheway
backtohisearlydays,especiallyhissenateandhousedays.WhatMackwas
lookingforwashispersonalinterviews,andviewsonguncontrol,andhuntingin
general.Alongwithhisvotinghistoryonthesetypesofbills.Thatcoupledwithhis
lackofimplementingalmostanyofthereformsthatFarmerhadplanned,particular
thefiringofkeypersonnel,whowereallstillthere.Goingbackovertestimonythere
wasampleproofthatfarmerhadintendedtoirealmosttheentirestaffandstart
over,butnoneofthathadbeendonewiththenewpresident,thatcoupledwithhis
pastrecordofvotingforanyantigunbillthatcameup,nomatterhowuselessit
was,andhispersonallycausinghisstatetohaveseveralmanufacturescloseup
shopandleavehisstatebecausethelawshehadpassedhadessentiallymadeitso
theycouldntdobusinessinhisstate.
Afterseveraldaysofgoingoverrecordsandinterviews,hepresentedhisideasto
hisbossattheFBI.
Theinitialreactionwas
Youarenowsayingthethevicepresidentelecthadthepresidentelectmurdered
sohecouldhavehisjobandkeephisantigunpoliciesinplaceandkeephis
croniesfromgettingfiredorworse?.
Yes,SpencerknewifFarmerfiredhimitcouldcomeoutabouthistiewithLinda
Clay,andhisworkonthesidefortheantigunside.allofwhichwouldlandhimin
jail..Everythingwehadbeforeisstilltrue,buttherealmasteratthetopisthe
President.
AllweneedisadefinitetieintoprovethatthePresidentknewwhatwas
happening,orbetteryetordereditandhelpedsetitup.
Whatyougoingtodoaskhim?IcoulddothatansweredMack
Butletslethimtellushimselfonnationaltv.Scheduleainterviewwithhimtonight
onthenationalnews,IntroducemeasaguestjournalistMeanwhileIhavesome
moreresearchtodoandquestionstowrite.

44
TherestofthedaywasspentbyRichardmackandhisteammaking
connectionstoEllerySpencerandhismovements.Forawellknownpublicfigure,
itwassurprisinglyeasytofindtimsandevendaysunaccountedfor,andphonelogs
withgaps,holesinhisitineraryforthetimeleadinguptothepresidentelectsdeath,
evenafterit.Theywereevenabletofindwitnessthatputthetwoofthemtogether
onseveraloccasions.Morethenonepersonsaidtheyknewforafactthatthere
wasnotrustbetweenhimandFarmer,andneithertrustedtheother,andtheywere
alwaysgoingbacktocheckoneachother.Finallywhenitwasalmosttimetoair,
theyfoundwhattheywanted.adirectlinkfromthecurrentPresidenttoEllery
Spencer,LindaClay,intheformofaemailsenttoallthreeofthem,detailingthe
plantouseRobertBlainetoentiiseEmersoncartertokillthePresidentelectalong
withideasaboutaplanBandevenifneededplanC.Theemailwasdocumented,
printedandaatividadewasswornoutastowhoandwhenitwhereithadbeen
foundtheipaddressfromthesendersandreceiversweretracedandconformedto
comefromthevicepresidentelectsprivateaccountandwasdeemedasecure
email,andcouldhaveonlycomefromhisaccount.Thiswastheirsmokinggun.

Theeveningcamefast,sotherewaslittletime,andmuchtodobeforethe
PresidentarrivedattheOvalOfficefortheinterview.TheFBIhadgottenhimto
agreetododoitbysayingtheyhadanewleadonthePresidentelectkillingandhis
cooperationonnationaltelevisionwouldhelpbringouttherealkiller.
AtthetimetheinterviewwassettostartthePresidentConradBarnardcameinto
theOvalOfficeandsatdown,gotcomfortableandhadnoideawhatwasinstore
forhim.ConradsBarnardslifewasabouttoopenedupandexposedfortheworld
toseeonnationaltelevisionandhedidntknowit.ConradBarnardhadspenthis
entirelifeinpublicserviceanddoingwhathethoughtwasbestforthecountry.
Nowtheywouldgettoseehimhelphiscountryagain..orsohethought.

45
InwalkedRichardMack,dressedinhisbestsuitandcarryingaclipboardfullof
notesandphotos.andhadarrangedwithnetworksNOTtogotocomerinical.
Theyexchangedpleasantries,thensatdown,thefloordirectorqueuedtheminas
thevoiceoverofthenewannouncerintroducedthem.

HelloMr.Presidentthankyoufortakingtimetoseemethisevening.
Mypleasure,alwayswillingtohelptheAmericanpeopleinanywayIcan.
FirstIdliketogooveryourbackgroundabit.YourwereasenatorinNewYork,
andaRepresentativeinMassachuse,Right/
Yes,Iseveredseveraltermsinbothhousesinwithstates.
Ihavehereyouvotingrecordhere.Mr.President,itsaysyouvevotedforevery
antigunbillyouwerepresentedwithregardlessofofhowitmightaffectpeople.
Onehastostanduporwhatonebelievesisrightfortheircountry.
theresadifferencebetweenstandingupforwhatonethinksisright,andexplaining
thereasoning,andwhatyouvedone,votingacrosstheboardoneway,without
readingmostofthebills.Mr.PresidentIthinkitgoesfurtherthanthat.Youhave
alwayshadaissuewithgunsWehavetherecordsofyourhighschoolandcollege
runinswiththelaw,usuallywithpeoplegettinghurt.Becauseofyourstandingin
thepoliticalcommunity,itsimplywentaway,untilnow.
ThePresidentlookedpale,hehadntexpectedanyofhishistoryforhighschoolor
collegetocometolight,Ihadbeenburiedmanyyearsago.
ThebesthecoulddowasIvemadesomemistakesbutthatwasmanyyears
ago
ImsorryMr.President,Youvemademoremistakesrecently.Sayabout
sixmonthsagowhenyouandEllerySpencer,andLindaClayschemedtohave
PresidentelectJamesFarmerkilled.AsFarmersVicepresidentelectyouknew
whathewasplanning,hepushtobringprogunpoliciesmoremainstream,andthe
intendtofirealmosteveryoneinthewhitehousestaffEllerySpencerincluded,and
youknewabouthistieswithLindaClay,andherAntigungroup,Americans
AgainstGunViolence.Allofthisbecauseyoua,didntlikeFarmer,inspiteof
whatitlookedlikeinthepress,andB,youwantedhisjob,andtokeepyouragenda
movingregardlessofwhatthepeoplewant.
AllPresidentBarnardcoulddowaslookatMackblanklyandtrytocomeup
46
withsomesortofresponse.Thecameraszoomedintighttoshowthewhiteningof
hisfaceashiscolordrainedfromit.

Mr.President,ConradBarnard,Iamofficiallychargingyouwiththemurder
ofPresidentelectJamesFarmerandhiswifeKimberly.Twoofficerscameonto
thestagetoescorthimoffandintowaitingFBIandSecretServiceagents.
Thenationalnewscastersummarizedwhattheyhadjustseenandthetapeswere
playedoverandoverallovertheworld.
RichardMackmeetwithhisteamandtheywentovertheirstatementsagainand
calleditanight.

47
ChapterFifteen

Thenextseveraldaysandmonthswerespenttryingtofigureouthowtohandlethe
arrestofthePresidentonnationaltelevision,rightinhisOvalOffice.TheVice
presidentwassworninassoonasitwasclearthattherewasagoodcaseagainst
ConradBarnard,andhewouldntbecomingbackanytimesoon.hewasplacedin
protectivecustodyalongwithEllerySpencer,andLindaClay.
Slowlythenationfoundothernewstooccupyitselfwith.
RichardMackagainreturnedtohisranchnearRichmondVirginia,Heagain
startedtakingcasesnoonecouldsolve,nonequiteashighprofileasthecaseof
PresidentelectJamesFarmerandhiswife.
Severalmonthslater,thetrailconvincedanditwascoveredbyalltheworldspress.
Althoughitlastedseveralweekswithtestimonybyalmostalloftheinvestigating
personal,ItwasRichardmacksdeterminationtofindalltheanswersthatshone
through.
Allfour,ConradBarnard,EllerySpencer,EmersonCarterLindaClaywerefound
guilty,andsentencedtolifeimprisonmentwithoutparole.

Andthecountrymovedon,neverquitebeingthesameagain,alwaysquestioning
everythingitsleaderssaid.

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