Of the ten tables in the grill, eight were occupied. The staff had been warned to carry on as if nothing was unusual.
A federal grand jury soon heard the entire conversation. The indictable portion was:
KIRK: So we know about the plan to spring our father in January, after some funds change hands.
JACK: [Laughs.] Oh really. Not sure what you’re talking about.
KIRK: Come on, Jack. We’re in the loop. Two mil for a full and complete pardon.
JACK: [After a long pause.] Well, well, I must say I am surprised. I guess Bolton decided to include his boys.
KIRK: Not at all. Bolton has said nothing about it. We picked it up from another source, verified with an email from one of your secret accounts, which really isn’t that secure so you should be more careful, Jack. We know the deal is going down and Bolton plans to walk in January. Not sure where the two mil goes but I guess that’s none of our business. So cut the crap and talk to me face-to-face with no bullshit, because we know.
JACK: You gotta problem with the deal?
KIRK: A major problem. Our lives are much less complicated without Bolton sticking his nose into the firm’s business. He got only ten years, a rather light sentence for disposing of our mother. He deserved twenty. Bottom line, Jack, is that he’s served five years and a pardon now will cause a major shit storm that Sturgiss can’t survive.
JACK: [A grunt, a fake laugh.] Sturgiss won’t care once he’s reelected. He can’t run again after four more years. He couldn’t care less about what the wacky newspapers say.
KIRK: Okay, okay, let’s not argue politics. My point is that we are opposed to a pardon.
JACK: [Another laugh.] Let me get this straight. You want to keep your old man in prison. Right?
KIRK: Yes, that’s correct. And we’re willing to pay.
JACK: [Laughs some more. Takes a long pause.] Gotta say, Kirk, this is a new one. I just thought I’d seen it all. [Another pause.] So, uh, now that we’re in a bidding war with Malloys on opposite sides, how much are you willing to pay?
KIRK: Two point five.
JACK: [Whistles.] Okay. Plain enough. Two point five to forget the pardon and keep the ole boy behind bars.”
KIRK: “That’s it. And the gov gets the added benefit of not breaking the law. He’s not selling a pardon.
JACK: The governor is not involved, Kirk.
KIRK: No of course not.
JACK: I’ll uh, discuss it with the committee and get back. Time is of the essence. What if I pop by your office tomorrow?
KIRK: That’ll work. I’ll be in.
* * *
—
The following day, the FBI trailed Jackal as he was driven, in a black SUV registered to the campaign, from its headquarters to the Malloy building. He got out on the sidewalk, never bothered to look around, and went in through the front door. Most thugs engaged in a criminal enterprise would at least glance at the surroundings, but Jackal had far too much experience to appear ill at ease.
There were no FBI agents inside the firm because it was deemed too risky, but Kirk’s office, as well as the three conference rooms in his suite, were filled with enough bugs to start a plague. Two vans filled with technicians and listening devices were parked at the curb.
Six days later, the grand jury would hear the second conversation.
Again, the indictable portion was:
KIRK: Have a seat.
JACK: No thanks. This won’t take but a second. The committee met last night to consider your bid and decided it’s a tad low. The price is three mil. Half now, as soon as possible, for the campaign, payable to our PAC, all nice and clean. The other half is due in January, and we’ll handle it offshore.
KIRK: [Grunts.] Why am I not surprised? You guys raise the price for all your pardons.
JACK: It’s not a pardon. It’s a non-pardon. In or out?
KIRK: [A long pause.] Okay. okay. We can do three.
JACK: And there’s the small matter of my broker’s fee. Two-fifty, payable up front, offshore.
KIRK: Of course. Anybody else?
JACK: Here are the wiring instructions. Keep this close. No paperwork anywhere, no emails, texts, cell phone calls. Everything leaves a trail.
KIRK: That’s what they say.
Jackal was trailed back to the campaign headquarters. An hour later, Kirk called Rusty at home and replayed the conversation. They cursed the governor and Jackal, and struggled with their next move. Neither wanted to pay the bribe, but the thought of Bolton out of prison and on the loose was beyond unsettling. Finally, they agreed to move forward. Kirk would ride to the seventh floor, have a chat with Old Stu, give him the wiring instructions, and start the ball rolling.