Chapter 18

Chapter 18—First meeting scheduled

8 p.m., Tuesday, December 13

The thought crossed Allison’s mind to have her group of notables meet in Bernadette’s apartment. It was, after all, one of the most secure places in the free world. But then she thought better of it. Even though it would have been possible to maintain privacy there better than any other place she could think of, once the meetings were finished, the hideaway would be rendered virtually useless. So, she had to come up with someplace else.
Not only would she not hold the meetings in Bernadette’s apartment, she thought it would be less of a distraction if she ran the meetings as Allison, not Bernadette—at least to start out.
She was sure that Reginald and the other three members of the group questioned how she eluded the Secret Service as Bernadette, yet they did not know about the apartment. She continued to sit in Bernadette’s favorite chair, as she considered her options.
She recalled that sometimes Bob would have a friend rent a car, and he would hold private conversations in it. He always felt pretty safe doing that. She thought that she might give his approach a try for at least one of the meetings—perhaps the first. She could have James pick up a full size car, perhaps a Suburban. Anything but an Expedition—that’s what everyone drove in DC.
She thought about it a bit more, and then concluded that even a Suburban would stand out too much, in New York.  The perfect car, she concluded, would be a Cadillac Escalade. No government workers would ever want to be seen in one of those. But Allison felt she could pull it off. Actors, lawyers, lobbyists and Republican businessmen drove Escalades—no one paid much attention to people riding around in a black Escalade with heavily tinted glass.
“That’s it!” Bernadette becoming Allison exclaimed as she sprang out of the Bernadette’s chair. She was not quite ready to return to Allison’s apartment, but she was beginning the metamorphosis.
She had one more call to make. She had to call James and tell him to rent the Escalade.
“I don’t care what color, as long as it’s black and clean, with tinted glass. It should be new—at least no more than 10,000 miles.”
The request caught James a little off guard. Generally James would meet Allison in a restaurant, or at a bar. And when he did, he would usually drive his own Escalade, or take a cab. He knew immediately what Allison intended to accomplish with the rented car. He had been the one who frequently would rent a car for Bob, during the Fulbright presidency.
On those occasions, he would meet the President after the “escape” from the White House had already taken place. Bob would sometimes be under a blanket in the back of a car or SUV, and sometimes he would actually be hiding in the trunk. Usually it was a “special” member of the President’s detail who had spirited him out. And then that same agent would meet James and the President later for the return trip.
So, James knew what Allison was up to with the rental—it was an excellent method to accomplish anonymity. She did not have to explain anything to him.
“Should I already have the other two with me when I meet you?”
“There will be three others, Reg is joining us.”
“He is? I didn’t think he still had it in him. Did you give him any details?”
“What’s there to give him? We haven’t developed any yet. All I told him was that three or four of my closest friends were going to meet to discuss future events—future events in light of recent elections, and what the future might hold for us. No specifics.”
“And he’s in on that basis?”
“Yes he is. I think you underestimate his resolve, and his brilliance. Reg is a very bright guy.”
“I know he is. But he always seems like he’s got a … like he’s got a bad case of constipation. He acts like a Republican much of the time. He thinks like one too. He’s just too conservative. Not politically—in that regard he thinks like we do—at least I assume he does. … The thing is, with Reg, you just never really know what he’s thinking. He’s always so proper. … Being around Reg is like being around your dad. …That is, if your dad packed a Glock.”
Allison chuckled. “We can use that. He will balance you out.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I really like and respect Reg. I’m the one who recommended you talk to him. He is a good addition. I’m just shocked that you got him.”
“Me, too. But Reg has always thought for himself. That’s why Bob liked him. He constantly bi**hed about Reg, but when he had a tough decision, or a tough job, he always came back to him. Reg has an amazing ability to see the big picture, and get things done. I’m glad you suggested we bring him in.”
“Does he know that once he meets with the group, there’s no turning back?”
“I told him. He’s good with it.”
“But he doesn’t know who he’s getting married to, does he?”
“He will tomorrow.”
“Man! I can’t wait to see Reg’s reaction when he gets in that Escalade with Steve,” James said, chuckling a little.
“He might not be constipated any longer,” Allison added. “That just might solve his condition.”
 “He just never liked Steve. … Don’t get me wrong. A lot of people have issues with Steve. But I don’t know anyone who detests him like Reg does.  I really think he hates Steve.”
“I wouldn’t say he hated Steve. I think it’s more a case of generation gap. Steve is a true Metro-sexual—if there even is such a thing. And Reg … Bob suspected he might have doubts about himself. I don’t know—I’m no damn psychologist. All I know for sure is that it’s gonna be interesting. … But Reg is a big boy. He knows what Steve brings to the table. And he knows he can trust him. Reg’ll just have to get past his hang-ups.”
“I would agree with that—Reg has hang-ups,” James said, not able to get the smile off his face.
“But, I do have some other reservations,” Allison said. “One of the reasons we were able to have those great meetings back during the White House days was that Bob took charge. I’m fully aware of that. He rode all of us like a ten-dollar whores. Pardon my sexism, but you know what I mean. Remember the time he beat the hell out of Roger? I always wondered if he did it just to make a point. He never talked to me about that. Whatever the reason, Bob had a way of expressing himself clearly. No one doubted who was in charge when he was around, and no one really ever knew just what he was capable of. Not even me.”
“I’m pretty sure none of us ever wanted to know the answer to that one,” James said.
 “That’s what I’m getting at,” Allison said. “Bob could pull it off. He could take all those different personalities, scare the hell out of them, and get them to work together.”
“Are you suggesting that you might not be able to do that?” James asked.
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
“I do think that you need to be aware of the potential problems, especially with Reg and Steve. We both understand the genuine animus they hold for each other. But we still have to get them to work toward a common goal.”
“I know that. Trust me, if you think Bob was a tough bastard, I am going to be worse than he ever dreamed of being. I’m just hoping I can pull this off, James. And it is not like these meetings are going to be open-ended. We will have no more than four meetings of the whole group. That’s it. There will be assignments, and responsibilities. And the individual members will report back to me, and only me. But, if you see something growing, particularly between Reg and Steve, be ready to jump in. Nip it. You might catch something that I miss.”
“I understand. But I still would pay to see Reg’s face when he gets in the car with Steve.”
“You’re not gonna have to pay for it. Pick me up at the regular place, 10 a.m. Bring Jerry and Steve with you. I will have Reg with me. You will drive. I will give you directions when I get in. We will meet for no longer than sixty minutes Then you will drop Reg off where I tell you, then me. … Oh, and I’m not sure if I am going to be Allison, or Bernadette. Be prepared.”
“You got it, Boss.”