CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“The Vice President is in Chicago for a global conference on environmental issues,” said Ham. “I think we need to speak directly to him before we assume anything.”
“Ham, you didn’t see the POTUS’ reaction. He’s fucking guilty as hell. If he and the VP are in on this together, we’re fucked,” said Saint.
“I know but we have to be sure.”
“Okay, then I guess we’re headed to Chicago,” said Hayes.
“Thanks, guys.” He nodded at them and ended the call, looking at Gator, Jak, and Matt. “That son-of-a-bitch knows about this.”
“It appears so,” said Gator. “He’s working a deal with Santori, or at least that’s what it feels like. But why work the deal? The vein is huge. Let Santori have whatever is in Mexico, central and south America. There’s more than enough here in the U.S.”
“We both know that’s not how men like the POTUS and Santori think.
If they can split all of it, that’s more for them.
They would have to select a company to actually do the drilling and extraction but I’m going to bet the company would be someone new that we’ve never heard of and mysteriously goes back to both of them. ”
“Is anyone ever honest anymore?” asked Jak.
“Is that rhetorical?” smirked Matt.
“Maybe. I don’t know,” he said shaking his head. “I don’t understand the need for all the dishonesty and secrecy.”
“Brother, they’re stealing from the common man.
Without us, Pat and Ernie and the rest of the farmers would have been left to try and deal with this themselves.
The government would have swept in, bought their land for pennies on the dollar and they would have been forced to find something new to do.
“It’s terrible to believe that your own government doesn’t have your best interests at heart but we all know it’s the truth. Not just here. Everywhere. What’s the saying? Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” said Matt.
“For everyone?” asked Jak. “It just doesn’t seem like there’s anyone honest any longer.”
“There are lots of honest people,” said the deep voice standing in the doorway.
They all looked up to see Michael Bodwick grinning at them.
“I was honest. At least, I’d like to believe I was as honest as I could be as POTUS.
There are things that sometimes we can’t reveal to the general public.
Things that if they knew, would cause utter panic.
Those are things best hidden. What you’re speaking of is greed, which breeds dishonesty.
I never wanted to be a millionaire. You don’t take the job to be rich.
“Not everyone sees it the same way. Many take the job for the sole purpose of being in control, making money, and doing all the wrong things. But there are still some good men and women out there who believe in the basic rights and principles of all Americans to have a government that works for the good of America, not the politicians.”
“Any insight into those people?” smirked Ham.
“Some of them are sitting in this room,” said Michael.
“Oh, fuck no! Hell no!” said Matt. “That is not a job I want or desire. You were great at it, Michael but you knew the players and understood how to find out who was good and who was not.”
“And so are you,” he said staring at the men in the room. “Listen, I’m not encouraging anyone to run for office. I’m just saying that you already know the characteristics needed to do this job and do it well. Find those men and women that can be honest with you.”
“And the VP? Is he someone we can trust in that way?” asked Ham.
“I don’t know him personally but from what I’ve heard, yes. I would do him the favor of being honest from the beginning. I reached out to Senator Ming, someone I trust, and they’ve asked the VP to meet with Saint and Hayes as a favor. He’ll meet with them.”
“We’ve directed them to Chicago,” said Ham. “We appreciate the touchpoint with Senator Ming. If you trust her, we trust her.”
“Let me know if I can help at all,” he said turning to leave.
“Michael? How did you do it?” He stared at Ham with an inquisitive gaze. “Staying honest. How did you refuse all the bribes and requests?”
“Easy. It’s not who I am as a man. That’s where it all starts.”