Governor Duffield continued to scream insults and obscenities through the sat phone.
With growing impatience, the General spoke, modulating his voice so that he didn’t betray his inner fury. “Calm down, Henry.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down! I was warned! I was warned and still, I trusted you. How could you do this to me?”
“You hired me to be your eyes and ears, and to act according in your interests and to your benefit. Which I am doing.”
“Did you not hear me? I said you’re fired! Relieved of your command. You’re lucky I’m not ordering a court-martial.”
“Henry—”
“Or maybe I should! A court-martial wouldn’t be the worst you deserve!” The governor sputtered, momentarily at a loss for words. “You—you fired upon American citizens! You ordered American soldiers to harm their own people. What the hell were you thinking?”
Instead of answering, the General said, “You should see Osborne. He’ll be in my office. Have a glass of cognac. It’ll do wonders for your mood.”
The General had left his personal assistant, Larry Osborne, in case such a situation arose. Several years ago, the General had pulled some strings to make a certain unsavory arrest disappear.
Osborne was one hundred percent loyal.
More importantly, he was discreet.
“I’m in no mood!” Governor Duffield said.
“Are you sleeping? It sounds like you’re not sleeping well. You need to relax. Opioids are your vice of choice, correct?”
A sharp intake of breath.
Even after he’d been dishonorably discharged, the General had kept tabs. Just like he’d kept tabs on Rosamond.
Information was power. Some things never changed.
“I requested them just for you.”
“If you’re trying to bribe me, you have another thing coming!”
“Another think coming.”
“What?” the governor screeched. His voice edged closer to hysteria. “What the hell are you—”
“The correct term is ‘another think coming.’ It is a common misperception.”
“Don’t patronize me, you conniving ba—”
“I apologize.” The General fought to maintain his control. He despised this whiny, weak little man who’d somehow managed to rise to a position of power he could never earn and would never deserve.
“I am only thinking of your health, Henry. You’re a nervous wreck. If you continue like this, your well-being will suffer.” He spoke soothingly, like one might speak to a wild-eyed horse who must be pacified before coming to heel.
Governor Duffield breathed heavily into the sat phone. He was debating with himself. His weakness would win out, his addiction long starved through the Collapse.
He only needed to be coaxed a little further.
The General sweetened his voice, took on an air of contrition and solicitude. “Listen, I’ll leave the guardsmen here under the command of Officer Hastings. You may appoint whomever you wish to take over and conduct your affairs from this point forward.
“I will gather my things and tender my resignation immediately upon my return to Lansing. I will personally deliver the letter to your desk first thing in the morning. Handwritten, of course.”
Silence on the other end.
“The situation is controlled. You’ve won, Governor. I will do exactly as you ask. You’ll have no trouble from me. Consider this a small token of my sincerest apology.”
“Osborne has it, you say?” He sounded mollified—and greedy.
“Osborne is in my office now.”
The General waited patiently as the governor made his way from his office to the General’s.
“Tell Osborne that I said to give you the good stuff. The highest quality. While he’s preparing it, please take a load off and have a drink. I’ve been saving something particularly special.”
Osborne and Duffield spoke for a minute. The General discerned murmuring but not individual words.
Governor Duffield let out an impressed whistle. “Hardy l’ere Lalique Crystal Decanter Cognac? How much is this worth? Five grand?”
“Fifteen, at last count. It is a blend of six eaux-de-vies, a hundred years old. Every swallow is a symphony of apricot, honey, and cinnamon. Truly, a cognac to remember.”
“Ahhh. I haven’t tasted good liquor in…at least two months. Feels like two damn years.”
Not even a thank you. The General said nothing.
He watched the waves rippling the lake and waited for the man to consume the first glass and start in on a second.