JК
The Third Option :: Flynn Vince
Страница: 250 из 267It must have been his meeting with Congressman Rudin and Senator Clark. Until he knew for sure, though, he would keep his mouth shut. There was no sense in taking the heat for two wrongs. Using a more formal tone, Midleton said, «Sir, I honestly don't know what you are talking about.»
«Charles, I worked with you in the Senate for more than a decade. I know when you're lying.» Hayes stared at him. «What did I tell you before you left the White House earlier this week?»
Midleton didn't want to answer the question, and gave his standard evasive answer. «I don't recall.»
«You don't recall.» The president's fists were clenched as he mimicked Midleton. «Let's cut through the bullshit, Chuck. I told you to mind your own damn shop and keep your nose out of the CIA's business. Does that ring a bell?»
Midleton swallowed hard and said, «Yes.»
«Then would you like to tell me what in the hell you were doing the very next morning when you met Hank Clark and Al Rudin at the Congressional Country Club for breakfast?»
«They wanted to talk to me about some recent security breaches at the State Department.»
«Bullshit!»
Midleton looked away from the president and shook his head. «This is really no way to be running an administration.»
«Oh, I suppose you think it would be better if I scheduled secret breakfast meetings and plotted to stab you in the back.»
«You know, I really don't think I…»
Before Midleton could finish, Hayes cut him off sharply. «Shut your damn mouth, Chuck. You never got it through that pompous head of yours that I won the presidency, not you. When you quit after New Hampshire and agreed to throw your support behind me in exchange for a spot in the administration, that's when you lost, Chuck. The people didn't want you, and then, in exchange for your support, I made what is starting to look like the worst decision of my political career. But I can live with that because I can be rid of you by this afternoon and do so with a clear conscience.» Midleton's eyes grew large in disbelief. «Oh, I'm not kidding. Have you seen my approval numbers lately? They're over seventy percent. I can demand your resignation, and a week from now you'll be history.»
Midleton sniffed disdainfully. This couldn't be happening to him. He wouldn't dare.
«You don't think I'm serious? You don't think there aren't a hundred guys on the Hill who wouldn't jump the chance to take over at State? I could even get Republicans on board… you're not exactly their favorite character.
«Charles, I worked with you in the Senate for more than a decade. I know when you're lying.» Hayes stared at him. «What did I tell you before you left the White House earlier this week?»
Midleton didn't want to answer the question, and gave his standard evasive answer. «I don't recall.»
«You don't recall.» The president's fists were clenched as he mimicked Midleton. «Let's cut through the bullshit, Chuck. I told you to mind your own damn shop and keep your nose out of the CIA's business. Does that ring a bell?»
Midleton swallowed hard and said, «Yes.»
«Then would you like to tell me what in the hell you were doing the very next morning when you met Hank Clark and Al Rudin at the Congressional Country Club for breakfast?»
«They wanted to talk to me about some recent security breaches at the State Department.»
«Bullshit!»
Midleton looked away from the president and shook his head. «This is really no way to be running an administration.»
«Oh, I suppose you think it would be better if I scheduled secret breakfast meetings and plotted to stab you in the back.»
«You know, I really don't think I…»
Before Midleton could finish, Hayes cut him off sharply. «Shut your damn mouth, Chuck. You never got it through that pompous head of yours that I won the presidency, not you. When you quit after New Hampshire and agreed to throw your support behind me in exchange for a spot in the administration, that's when you lost, Chuck. The people didn't want you, and then, in exchange for your support, I made what is starting to look like the worst decision of my political career. But I can live with that because I can be rid of you by this afternoon and do so with a clear conscience.» Midleton's eyes grew large in disbelief. «Oh, I'm not kidding. Have you seen my approval numbers lately? They're over seventy percent. I can demand your resignation, and a week from now you'll be history.»
Midleton sniffed disdainfully. This couldn't be happening to him. He wouldn't dare.
«You don't think I'm serious? You don't think there aren't a hundred guys on the Hill who wouldn't jump the chance to take over at State? I could even get Republicans on board… you're not exactly their favorite character.