Chapter 47

Chapter 47—Jerry’s test

6:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 28

As far as Allison was concerned, this would not be a meeting that would require her to go as Bernadette. She was merely getting together with friends. Unfortunately, she was going to have to drive, and Allison did not drive her own car.
Therefore, she got started early enough, as Bernadette, to walk over and retrieve Bernadette’s vehicle. She contemplated as she walked along that familiar route, just how nice it will be when all this cloak and dagger business would no longer be necessary. Of course, that would not happen until she was in the White House. Until then, she would just have to buck up and do what had to be done.
She pulled her car out of the garage at 6:15 a.m., and then headed over to gather Reginald up. She was a little early, but Reginald was already at the customary location watching for her.
As she drove up, he trotted out to meet her. She could not pull to the curb, so she stopped in traffic long enough for him to slide into the passenger seat.
“Good morning,” he said. “Jerry’s doing better?”
“I’m not sure about that,” Allison responded, not acknowledging his initial greeting except with a small smile. “He says he’s fine, but I suspect that could be his medication talking. … It really doesn’t matter how he feels, at this point. We’ve got to get this issue resolved. … We’ll know in a few minutes, one way or the other.”
Allison drove only a few blocks after picking Reginald up, when she suddenly shot across three lanes, and made a right turn as the light became red.
“What was that all about?” Reginald asked.
“I thought I noticed someone following me,” she said, as she again darted into the right turn lane, planning to circle back. After stopping briefly, she quickly made a right turn, and then another at the end of the block. After the fourth right, she was back on course, confident that no one was tailing her. Reginald viewed her maneuver as possibly the result of a little paranoia, but he had no problem with it.
The two finally made it through the heavy New York morning traffic, and arrived at the place where Jerry was waiting for them. Just as in the case with Reginald, Allison simply pulled as close to the curb as possible, and Jerry came running.
Allison hit the unlock button, granting access to her friend, Jerry. “Good morning,” he said as he got in. “Hello, Reg. I wasn’t expecting to see you. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Allison just wanted me to tag along to be sure we got you up to speed,” Reginald answered.
“This is how I want to handle this meeting, today,” Allison said. “Reg is sort of in a hurry, so I am just going to drive around a bit.”
Allison reached into the center console and removed a wand that looked nothing like the one James always used.
“What’s that?” Reginald asked.
“It’s a wand.” Allison said. “Reg, please use it to scan yourself and Jerry for recording or transmission devices.”
“That’s not the one James’ uses, is it?” Jerry asked.
“No, it isn’t,” Allison replied. “It’s left over from the White House. I suppose it might not be as up to date as the Mossad unit, but I think it’s adequate.”
“Well,” Reginald said, as he adjusted the sensitivity downward, “it apparently doesn’t like Jerry’s implant any better than James’ wand.”
Jerry flashed Reginald an affected look of disgust, as Reginald proceeded to pass the device over their lower torsos. Reginald was careful not to bring the device even close to his shirt pocket. He then quickly turned the device off.
“You’re still good for tomorrow’s meeting?” Allison asked in Jerry’s direction.
“Sure am. I am very sorry to have missed the last meeting, it’s just that yesterday I was totally incapacitated—I could not hear, and I was heavily medicated.” Jerry said, wanting to make sure his two friends understood his problem. “I will be there tomorrow. I promise.”
“Jerry, what do you think about where we are going with this whole matter?” Allison asked, getting right to the point.
“Well, I think you knew that I had arrived at that conclusion even before the group did,” Jerry said. “Look, I know that this was a tough decision to take. I fully understand all the implications, and dangers, inherent with it. But it has become clear to me that there was only one recourse possible. And that recourse is the elimination, the physical and violent elimination, of the current President of the United States.
“Now, I know that you needed to hear me say what I just did. I am not naÔve about this matter. But I would appreciate it if you did not again make me utter those words. Suffice it to say, I am on board. I will do my part to carry this out—whatever is asked of me, I will do. I trust you guys fully. I am proud to be a part of this plan. We have to be successful, or we will lose our lives, and possibly our nation. I understand what is happening.”
With that, Jerry paused for a moment, and then looked first at Allison, then at Reg. “Not to be testy about this, but I must ask you both, did you get the answer you were seeking?”
Allison responded first, but not to Jerry. She asked Reginald, “I’m satisfied, how about you?”
“I heard what I needed to hear. I’m ready to proceed.”
“Jerry,” Allison said, “I want to thank you for your willingness to comply with my request for this meeting, I know you are not feeling well, but I also know you are totally aware of our concerns.”
“I am,” Jerry said, “and I have absolutely no problem with your caution. I would have expected the same thing had Reg missed a meeting. It was expected.”
Allison, deciding that the meeting was over, had already headed back. “Drop you off where I picked you up?”
“That works,” Reginald replied.
“I think you’re going to be a bit early. Will that be a problem?” she asked, as she pulled to the curb to let him out.
“Not at all,” Reginald said. “I suspect my party will be waiting for me. See you both tomorrow evening.”
Both Allison and Jerry acknowledged Reginald’s departing words.
Allison circled back toward Jerry’s regular pick up and drop off point. “Tomorrow evening at your cottage, Jerry.”
“Definitely,” Jerry responded, “and thanks for allowing me this chance to express myself.”
Jerry was sincere. He was grateful to Allison. Jerry understood that if there were to remain even a little insecurity regarding his commitment, it could cost him his life. He had, in fact, rehearsed his lines prior to this morning’s meeting—he wanted to make sure he said everything that needed saying.  Fortunately for him, he was adequately transparent, allowing his sincerity to register with both of his friends. As far as he was concerned, it worked.
However, sitting in the coffee shop with an earbud on, waiting for Reginald to join him, was Jack Handler. He had listened intently to everything the three of them had said, and there was no smile on his face.