Secession: The Storm (45 page)

Zach managed the radio’s microphone. “This is Ranger Zachariah Bass,” he broadcasted. “There’s been a collision; shots fired. I need help, officer down. I repeat, officer down.”

The dispatcher responded, but Zach couldn’t make out the words. His legs wouldn’t support weight any longer. Sliding slowly down to the pavement, his back against the cruiser, Zach stared at Alcorn’s body, waiting for help to arrive.

Zach couldn’t get accustomed to having only one workable limb, a small bead of hospital orange juice dribbling down his chin after his clumsy attempt to drink with the wrong hand. The doctors had predicted it would be another few weeks before he could start therapy on his right arm.

The appearance of two large men entering his room caused fleeting concern, but it passed quickly when he recognized both as fellow rangers. “Ah, how nice of you boys to pay a visit to an injured comrade. Are y’all on the clock?” Zach joked.

One of them smirked, the other shaking his head as they took up positions on either side of the threshold. Governor Simmons entered the room.

“How are you feeling, Ranger Bass?” the state’s chief executive asked with a smile.

Before Zach could respond, Detective Temple joined the gathering.

“I’m recovering, sir,” Zach answered, completely astonished by the politician’s appearance. “I hope to return to duty soon.”

Simmons waved off the statement. “There’ll be plenty of time for that, son. Do you feel up to having a quick discussion?”

Perplexed, Zach glanced at Sam. Her soft smile and reassuring nod set the ranger at ease. “Of course, sir. How can I be of service?”

Simmons peered over his shoulder at the two bodyguards, a nod from his head sending both men out of the room. The door closed behind them.

“Go ahead, Detective, feel free to bring our wounded warrior up to speed,” Simmons directed, moving to take a chair.

Sam moved to Zach’s bedside. “While you’ve been in here slacking off, I’ve been working to fill in the gaps of Major Alcorn’s story. With the pending secession referendum and highly charged political atmosphere, Governor Simmons requested that I handle the situation confidentially.”

Zach acknowledged her words, signaling her to continue.

“Two of the men with Alcorn the night of the kidnapping survived. They’re singing like birds in my lockup. They were cartel enforcers who owed the good major a favor.”

“He dirtied his hands with the cartel, too?” Zach asked.

“Not until they tried to kill him. Alcorn was hurting the boys down in Mexico. They put out a contract on his life. You bumbled into the middle of it a long time ago.”

Zach nodded, remembering the NY Jets gym bag.

“As far as we can tell, the major didn’t completely cross over to the dark side until Abe Hendricks took a shot at Clifton’s plane. Reading between the lines, Alcorn was driven to protect his son’s political career regardless of cost. When it looked like Aaron Miller would be tied to Hendricks, I believe your boss lost touch with reality. He cut a deal with the Mexicans, exchanging who knows what for some of their muscle. That’s who tried to kill you in Washington. That’s who helped with the kidnapping. It’s pretty clear he was suffering from some deep-seated guilt complex over not being a good father.”

Shaking his head, Zach kept the story going. “When it looked like his son was going to become one of the most powerful people in the world, the Major starting pulling out all the stops to make that happen. He hired that pervert in Houston to acquire the original court papers in Louisiana.”

“And then Kara Hendricks found the lockbox key,” Sam finished. “He knew you had copies of those documents and probably had a good idea what you were going to do with them. When he verified the journalist only had a recently-made copy, he had to come after you.”

“He tried to kill me twice, and when that didn’t work, he went after Cheyenne,” Zach finished.

Simmons interjected, “But as far as we know, Aaron Miller was completely unaware of his father’s activities. There’s no evidence to indicate his involvement.”

The ranger didn’t buy that, but the governor’s statement didn’t leave much room for debate. “I know you didn’t come all the way over here to fill me in, Governor. I have a feeling there’s more,” Zach said.

Flashing his now nationally recognized smile, Simmons responded, “Detective Temple has convinced me that you still hold these incriminating documents. I came to discuss your intentions going forward.”

With a suspicious tone, Zach urged, “Go on.”

“What you do with those papers is up to you,” Simmons began. “But I would like to ask personally that you not drag the Texas Rangers into what is sure to be a firestorm of outrage. Major Alcorn was wrong, and the organization should have caught on long ago. I’ll give you my word that I’ll take steps to make sure something like this never happens again. But, our people are going to need the rangers, Zach. If we do secede, they’ll need to have faith in an honorable organization. I only ask that you keep that in mind, whatever you choose to do.”

Zach merely nodded, not quite sure what to say. With the purpose of his visit over, the governor glanced at his watch and announced, “I’ve got to be going, Ranger Bass. Good luck and heal quickly. I’ll leave you two officers to talk things over.”

And with that, Simmons was gone.

Zach remained silent, staring out the window to avoid Sam’s inquisitive stare. Memories of Alcorn’s speech about the importance of the rangers’ community floated through his mind.

“The triangle of survival,” he whispered, flashing Sam a knowing smile.

Two days later, one of the most important headlines in the country’s history appeared across the
New York Times
.

“White House’s Miller in Cover-up,” ran the Grey Lady, complete with two columns on the front page and three supporting back-stories.

At first, President Clifton merely shrugged, her breakfast barely disturbed by the breaking news. As the day wore on, she began to reconsider.

Like starving dogs, the media sunk its teeth into the story and wouldn’t let go. Every cable network played, what in Heidi’s view was a molehill, into an Everest of dishonesty, flagrant disregard for the Second Amendment, and salacious political scandal.

Aaron appeared in front of her desk, head tilted forward as if he were a scolded child. “I want to offer my resignation,” the chief of staff said. “I’m sorry I’ve brought this scandal down on your administration.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Aaron?” Heidi replied, clearly upset by his attitude. “This is just politics as usual.”

But Aaron wasn’t reassured. “Ma’am, the right has latched onto this, and they’re not going to let go. My actions almost 12 years ago are fueling their political fire, and the fact that I am your advisor is just like pouring gasoline on the blaze. Any nut case decrying the overreach of the federal government now has evidence to back his claims. The NRA is going crazy, ginning up their membership with the battle cry, ‘The government will seize your firearms – just look at who’s running the White House.’”

Heidi waved off his little speech, “Like everything else in this town, this will die down and go away. You and the people down in New Orleans were doing the best you could under impossible circumstances. I would have probably done the same thing in your shoes. The fact that the Republicans don’t like it means nothing. You’re overacting.”

“No offense, ma’am, but I would advise you not to underestimate this situation. Even before this news broke, the events after Katrina were the most effective drivers of fear mongering in our history. Even more importantly, today’s headlines are influencing the Texas referendum. The polls are showing the secession vote is nearly a dead heat.”

The president shook her head, refusing to accept his logic. “Tell you what, Aaron; I’ll go on national television and reiterate my position. I’ll stand beside you, and let the people know how valuable I consider your advice and how sound I consider your judgment.”

“Ma’am, if you do that, you’re going to lose Texas.”

Heidi took a deep breath, “We’re not going to run from this. We’re going to turn around and punch it in the nose so it will fade back into the obscure shadows where it belongs.”

Her words had the desired effect, Aaron’s posture straightening, his poise returned. “Thank you, ma’am. You don’t know how much I appreciate your support.”

President Clifton took the podium, briefly flashing a smile to the gathered White House press corps. “I have a brief statement,” she began, “and then I’ll take questions.”

With the teleprompter in view, she focused on the point where she knew the cameras’ capture would seem she was making eye contact with the people viewing the conference. She began, “My fellow Americans, recently, much attention has been pulled to the actions of my chief of staff, Aaron Miller. I wanted to come before you and the press and clarify my position concerning gun rights and the Second Amendment to our Constitution and reaffirm my staunch backing of Mr. Miller.”

“At no time during my campaign or subsequent service as your president, did I detect even the smallest hint that Aaron was anti-Second Amendment. In fact, quite the opposite is true. At every opportunity, I have informed the American people that I believe in individual ownership of firearms, and Aaron shares these strong beliefs. Twelve years ago, this honorable man faced unfathomable circumstances and made a decision based solely on his desire to protect the people of New Orleans. It is a disservice to me - and all of you - for the far right to twist this ancient history into some sort of testament that the federal government is out to disarm the American public. Aaron Miller continues to have my full faith and confidence. I’ll take a few questions now.”

Heidi gestured to a reporter in the third row. “Madam President, when did you become aware of Mr. Miller’s actions in New Orleans?”

“I read the story in the press yesterday morning. That was the first I had heard anything about it.”

Again and again, Heidi deftly fielded the anticipated questions, never backing away or giving an inch of ground. Her self-assuredness running high, she pointed to what she was certain would be a hostile question from the
Washington Post
.

“According to the documents published in
The Times
, Mr. Miller was rewarded for what many are calling government intimidation by pursuing the settlement with Mr. Hendricks. Are you saying that you support and agree with the methods invoked by Mr. Miller at that time?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying at all,” Heidi shot back. “The officials in New Orleans at that time were facing a disaster of Biblical proportions. For all of us to sit around 12 years later and Monday morning quarterback their decisions isn’t productive.”