Hay Adams Hotel
Washington
As the door to the Federal Suite closed, the bedroom door opened and the Governor of Idaho, John Mellon, joined the Horsemen. He had listened in on the meeting and wasted no time in offering his opinion.
“The little shit’s hiding something, you know,” he announced to the group as he took a seat.
Mellon was unknown to Russell. He was the fifth member of the group. He also, unknown to Russell, would be his running mate on the Vice President’s ticket. Mellon was the richest, most obnoxious and right wing politician in the land and had no chance of becoming President but as Russell’s Vice President, he would be the proverbial heartbeat away from the seat. As much as people loved Russell, they loathed the old bastard from Texas. The young Russell would be doing a Dick Cheney, just using the old war horse as an adviser and bringing some experience to his young presidency.
Everything had been running perfectly smoothly until Senator Baker had thrown his hat in the ring. The loose cannon Baker was a vote winner and had his allies. Of course, Russell had the support of the President thanks to the Horsemen’s funding support. Unfortunately, their influence over the sitting President did not extend further. He was his own man and had made it clear to them on many occasions. Russell had ingratiated himself as instructed but again his influence only went so far. They tried in vain to discredit Baker but nothing stuck, despite their control of the media. They had tried to get him to accept the Vice President’s ticket, much to Mellon’s objections, but the idea was just to get him off the Presidential ticket. Mellon’s Vice Presidency ticket could have been resolved at a later date. Baker had flatly refused. As the numbers started to swing in his favor, it was, as ever, Lawson who had voiced the need for a permanent solution. Senator Charles Baker was in their way and had to be removed. Mellon agreed without hesitation. Russell was informed and tasked with the job. Normally, they would have dealt with it quietly but it was agreed that a strong message would be sent to all those in Russell’s camp. Plus, of course, when Russell was assassinated, three months into his presidency, as was the plan, Mellon would be made President. Mellon would have something on each of Russell’s team to ensure complete loyalty and compliance.
“Perfect,” said Lawson as he laid out his plan to the group.
“Well, we’ve been assured it will be dealt within the next 24 hours,” reminded Walter.
“Jesus, Walter, don’t be so fucking naive. The CIA could fuck up a piss up in a brewery,” said an irritable Lawson. “However, I’m confident it will be dealt with in the next twenty four hours but only because I had arranged an insurance policy for just this eventuality. A certain contractor who has worked for me on a number of occasions is on the case.”