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Presidential Smoke and
Mirrors |
--- Mr. President ---
Sirens sounded as ambulances rushed to the aid of a poor soul. It was not just any Joe Blow off the streets; it was the chief justice that was in need of medical attention. It was a shame that he’d taken his own life. The stress of life was evidently a bit much.
A series of knocks directed my attention to the door.
"Come in," I instructed.
The door opened to reveal my faithful companion, Jonathan. He was an acquaintance from college that has stuck with me like a fly to dung.
"Mr. President, have you heard?" he questioned.
"About what, John?" I responded.
"There was another suicide, sir."
"Who?"
"It was the chief justice. He evidently did the deed last night."
A falsified look of compassion showed on my face as I replied, "It’s a shame. He was a good man. Could you arrange for a meeting with his family?"
"Already done. We’re set for Monday at noon."
I thanked him and walked over to my desk. As I sat in my comfortable executive chair, I felt that Jonathan was troubled by something.
"Is there anything else, John?" I asked.
"No, sir," he responded before turning towards the door.
As he exited, I unlocked the bottom drawer on the right-hand side of my desk. Inside were miscellaneous papers, my journal, and a box of cigars. I pulled out the box and placed it on the desk. Opening the box, I remembered an important appointment. A row of cigars concealed a folded piece of paper. Grabbing the paper and a cigar, I closed the box again. After placing the cigar in my mouth and lighting the tip, I unfolded the note. Once the note was read, I grabbed the phone.
The number to the head of security punched in, I waited for a response.
"Mr. President, what can I do for you today?" the voice on the other end uttered.
"I have an important meeting to attend without notice," I answered.
"Name when and where, sir," he replied.
--- Jonathan ---
At my desk, I reclined in the relaxing chair. I’ve had some lucky breaks in life before but none like the present break. I had played my hand right with Henry Orville. Who would have imagined that this womanizing college-mate would have become president? I knew he had potential to be great and stuck with him. As long as he was president, I would have a free ride. This is something everyone longs for but no one admits. Besides, he had the connections and moves where women were concerned.
The telephone rang. As I picked it up, I was greeted by the voice of the head of security.
"Jonathan, there has been another suicide---the chief justice this time. There is something going on with the President. I need you to keep your eyes open for anything out of place. Alright?" the man instructed.
"Not a problem," I responded as we finished the call.
The head of security suspects that the President is somehow responsible with these suicides. It is purely suspicion and no proof. I know he did not have anyone murder these people. Why would they think the President was responsible? If anything leaks to the press concerning this, it could affect his upcoming reelection.
What we need is good PR. Thinking about this, I called the chief justice’s family. They were still at the crime scene. However, I did manage to somehow arrange a meeting with them. The wife of the chief justice seemed to have something she desired to share with Henry.
A janitor entered the office and began to clean it.
I approached the President’s door. After knocking, I heard the muffled, "Come in."
After communicating the death of the chief justice to Henry, he responded with a fake show of concern on his face, "It’s a shame. He was a good man. Could you arrange for a meeting with his family?"
I informed him of the date with the family. Mr. President went behind his desk and sat down. I debated on whether or not to trouble him with the situation concerning the head of security.
"Is there anything else, John?" he asked.
"No, sir," I replied before turning towards the door.
--- Head of Security ---
I arrived at the crime scene. It was messy and not something one wants to start the day with. I approached the body of the chief justice. He was suspended from the ceiling by a rope around his neck. His body was stiff and cold.
"Someone cut him down," I ordered as some officers neared the body.
A female officer approached me with a report in her arm. "Sir, it looks like he was found this morning by his twelve year-old son.
"Where is the family?" I inquired.
"They’re outside. They’re pretty shook up right now---especially the boy," she replied.
"Did you get any information about the events around his death?" I asked.
She answered, "None. She didn’t want to talk about it."
I walked outside to where the mother and child were being consoled by a couple of female officers.
"Ma’am, I’m Michael Carnez with the White House," I opened as I shook the mother’s hand.
"The White House? What did you guys do to him?" she questioned as she began to cry. "What did you say to him?"
"Ma’am, I am not aware of what you are talking about," I stated.
"Casey was supposed to meet with the president last night concerning some confidential information." She began to choke her words out, "Next thing I know, he’s killing himself. What did you tell him?"
"I’m sorry, lady. I have no knowledge of what you are talking about, but I will look into it."
Leaving the lady and child to the previous officers, I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Jonathan. I need to make him aware of the situation.
After a conversation with him, I returned to the scene of the suicide. Something caught my eye. A glass had evidently been dropped from his desk. I picked up a shard of glass produced by the fallen drink with a pair of gloves. There was a film of some sort on one side.
"Johnson," I called for the lady officer that had filled out the report.
"Yes, sir."
"I want these shards of glass and the film on them analyzed for any information they might provide." I instructed.
"Right away, sir," she said as she began to collect the scattered pieces of glass into a bag.
My phone rang. Observing the phone number as the president’s I answered, "Mr. President, what can I do for you today?"
"I have an important meeting to attend without notice," he replied.
"Name when and where, sir," I retorted.
Finishing the conversation and leaving the crime scene, I headed towards the White House. As I slowly approached my destination, I ran the facts through my mind concerning the case. There have been several "suicides" occurring since President Orville has been in office. It is too ackward to be purely coincidence.
--- The Applicant ---
I had never been given such a break. I was going to be having a meeting with the President of the United States. I was so anxious about him setting up the date. If this went well, I would have a job in the White House doing what that lazy friend of his does.
I was wearing a white silk blouse, a straight black skirt, white hose, and black high-heels. I unbuttoned the first two buttons on my shirt, allowing a sexy, but professional look. I needed this job. I was constantly going from a bad job to a worse job.
I can’t believe he is actually going to interview me. I am so excited. I can hardly wait to meet him.
A black, medium-sized car pulled into my driveway. As I watched intently, I noticed the president exit the car with one of his security guards. I was getting goosebumps.
--- The Janitor ---
My task was simple enough. I was assigned to enter the offices and recover any information that may be pertinent to the investigation. The best guise to use was that of a janitor.
Jonathan was in his office and had just hung up the telephone. I began to empty his trashcan as he began knocking on the door to the President. Upon entering his office, I slid open John’s desk drawers that were without locks. Nothing seemed to strike any interest. Then, I picked open the locked drawers and ran across his appointment book, which I slid into the bag of trash. Quickly, I shut the drawers and walked from the desk.
At that precise moment, the President’s office door opened and Jonathan walked through it. I used this moment to enter that office and began to clean around his office. President Orville had just lit his cigar when I noticed him reading a note of some sort. Then, he made a phone call and left the room. Using this as an opportunity to pry, I hurried to his desk. His bottom, normally locked, drawer was cracked open. He’d evidently left in a hurry and forgot to lock it up again. Inside the drawer were papers, a cigar box, and his journal. I took his journal into the trash bag and placing the cigar box on the desk, looked inside. Underneath a couple cigars was a note from a woman concerning a meeting tonight. I stuffed the note into the trash bag and closed the drawer.
As I left the offices, I felt a sigh of relief come over me. The dirty deed was done.
--- Mr. President ---
The meeting went perfectly. This lady was the person for the job. Now I wouldn’t have to worry about Jonathan trying to play me for the fool. When he’s out of a job, he’ll have learned his lesson: Don’t mess with the big dogs.
As we drove back to the White House, I decided to lay low concerning the new addition to the White House family. I wanted to throw the bum out on his bum but decided to play it cool for the time being.
I passed by Jonathan at his desk. The idiot had lost something and was tearing up his desk looking for it. Knowing him, it was probably something of great importance. I’ll be glad when he’s gone.
I entered my office and approached my desk. I’d evidently left my cigars on the desk. I took one out of the box and lit it. This was the life. I reclined in the chair, placing my feet on the desk.
--- Jonathan ---
I can not find my appointment book! Where did I put it? I must find the book.
I tear through each drawer in sequence, searching in vain for my missing appointment book.
Henry Orville enters the room. I noticed him smirking at my predicament---the dog. I’ve covered his back too many times to be treated with such disrespect. I deserve some respect. I’ve done too much to be treated like dirt.
--- Head of Security ---
After escorting the president back from his "meeting", I returned to my office. There, Agent Jameson, disguised as a janitor waited.
"Jameson, what gifts do you come bearing?" I inquired.
The phone rang. It was Johnson, the officer at the crime scene.
"Sir, I thought you might be interested to know that the residue on the glass was a mix of alcohol and poison. The poison has no scent and is not easily detectable," she informs me.
"What about the chief justice? Had he ingested the drink?" I asked.
There was a pause on the line as she uttered, "Yes. Not only that, but the poison acts quickly. Within seconds, the victim is dead."
"So the chief justice was murdered," I stated.
Agent Jameson interrupts, "Sir, I think you need to see what I have here."
"Thank you, Johnson. I’ll put in a good word for you," I mentioned as I hung up the phone.
Jameson handed me a black book. As I began to look over the book, I felt a shiver crawl up my spine. It had a list of the "suicides". It also had a list of "suicides" to come, including me.
"Whose book is this?" I exclaimed.
--- Jonathan ---
As I fumbled through my desk drawers, still in a desperate attempt to find the missing book, the phone rang. It was the head of security.
"Jonathan, Mr. President wanted me to inform you that you have been replaced by a skirt. Please pack up your belongings and leave the White House’s premises," the voice ordered.
"What? There has to be a mistake. He can’t get rid of me. I own him. He can’t do this to me," I yell into the phone. Slamming the phone onto the desk, I reach into my coat pocket and pull out a small revolver.
I jump from my seated position and rush toward the President’s office. Bursting through the door, I focus the gun on the president.
"Who do you think you are?" I scream at Henry.
"What are you doing, Jonathan?" he tries to question.
"What am I doing? What am I doing? I’ll tell you what I’m doing. I’m going to blow your brains across the desk!" I threaten him, every intention of keeping my word.
"You don’t want to do that," he says with a look of cynicism on his face.
"How can you do this to me? I’ve covered your back too many times! I am the power that kept you in office! You are nothing without me!" I respond with my eyes beginning to swell with maddening tears.
"What are you talking about?" he asks.
"What am I talking about? I’m talking about taking care of those that would hurt your campaign! Did you ever notice that the people committing suicide were all going to blow your secret affairs wide open?" I retorted.
"You are the one that has been killing off everyone?" he inquires again.
"No duh, Sherlock. Did you think everyone was committing suicide? What kind of fool are you?" I answered.
Another voice enters the room. "Put it down, Jonathan. Put the gun down!" Michael Carnez commands with his gun focused on me. I noticed several officers begin to enter the room.
"I will not be stabbed in the back!" I yell as I fire the gun as the president, striking him in the left shoulder.
Upon response to my gunshot, each gun was fired at me, each bullet making a new entrance and exit. No feeling in my legs, I collapse onto the floor.
--- News Reporter ---
"There has been a shooting at the White House and the President has taken a bullet to his left arm. Apparently, this was a terrorist attempt to overthrow the government. Police were able to take down the terrorists before much chaos was done. President Orville’s shooter was killed in response to him opening fire upon the president. The president is in the hospital with minor wounds. He is expected to be playing golf in two weeks."
--- Talk Show Host ---
"Today on our show, we have guest, Jennifer Writ, who was hired on as the president’s personal secretary. Her story will both confuse and shock you. Stay tuned and hear of the government cover-up of a series of murders and of Mrs. Writ’s affair with the president. Don’t go anywhere, you won’t want to miss this show."
--- News Reporter ---
"Another member of Congress has supposedly comitted suicide this morning. Federal agents has taken over the case and expect results. The highest ranking agent at the scene said, 'Foul play is not even a reasonable assumption on this matter. Our investigation concerns what caused the suicide.' Michael Carnez, former White House head of security, says there's more going on behind the scenes than what is conceivable. You can catch his show on KTOK every saturday at noon. Thank you and good night.
