The Beijing conspiracy

CHAPTER 91

R andy Baker’s ears pricked up as the young congressional page in the House Speaker’s Office watched the flurry of activity around the Speaker’s personal secretary. Appointments for meetings with some of the most powerful people in Washington were being rescheduled at very short notice and that could only mean something of importance. Baker was surprised when they introduced themselves. He’d never heard of a Professor Sayed or a Curtis O’Connor but in a moment they were hurried into the Speaker’s Office.

‘I must admit,’ Davis Burton said solemnly after Curtis had played the tape and briefed him on the possibility of a cover-up, ‘this is arguably the gravest constitutional crisis the United States has ever faced. And I mean no disrespect, gentlemen, but if you hadn’t brought that recording with you I would have found it hard to believe,’ he added. ‘Although it wouldn’t be the first time men in high office have been seduced by power and money.’

‘I think Tom McNamara and Curtis are right though, Davis,’ Imran responded. ‘I’m not one for covering things up either, but exposure of the President’s involvement in something the magnitude of the Beijing conspiracy would do immense harm, not only to the United States, but to other nations around the world. The economic implications would make the Wall Street crash of 1929 look like a small bump in the road and anti-western sentiment would explode. This is one of those rare occasions when disclosure is not in the public interest. The trouble is, Davis, if Bolton is impeached – and he clearly should be – I don’t see how you and your colleagues can prevent it from becoming public.’

The great southern statesman was silent, wondering how he might deal with the crisis in a way that would best serve his nation and the wider world.

‘Not only that,’ Curtis added, ‘if I understand the impeachment process correctly, President Bolton would continue to act as President until the Senate decides he’s guilty or they acquit him. We can’t just bowl in to the Oval Office and arrest the President.’

‘If this was not so real it would be the stuff of movies,’ Davis Burton said. ‘You’ve actually given me an idea. It will depend on whether I can get my colleagues on side. It will be important for them all to remain silent until we’re prepared to act. There is a little-known section of the Constitution that allows just one person in this country to arrest the President. But you’re right,’ he added, ‘it would be unwise to attempt that in the Oval Office.’

It was a very risky strategy and one that could only be justified by the extraordinary circumstances that prevailed when a President or Vice President became involved in criminal activities.

As soon as Burton’s visitors had left, Randy Baker became even more intrigued. All of the Speaker’s appointments were suddenly cancelled. Randy wandered down the corridor to find a quiet place to use the mobile phone his generous mentor had provided. He felt a surge of excitement. Politics was where it was at and he knew that this was going to be a very exciting career.

As he was leaving, Curtis switched on his phone to find an alarming text from Kate. The vials of the deadly Ebolapox, together with those of the vaccines, had vanished and Dolinsky was nowhere to be found.