jobs. Rumson had a take-charge approach. But, like Charles Howell, Rumson’s focus on execution—on pushing the agenda forward and getting things done—was a good compliment to his own focus on steering the country in the right direction.
Strange bedfellows , his wife had said when he told her he had chosen Tyler Rumson as his vice president. He didn’t see it that way, at least not anymore; though he understood her initial reluctance.
Mere hours after he had assumed the presidency, in the chaos that had followed President Walters’ death, Phil Perry, the Chairman of the Republican National Committee, had called to ask who he intended to choose as vice president. Kendall had been stunned by the question. Perry told him that, under the Constitution, he had to appoint someone to fill the office he had so recently vacated and that, in order to preserve the line of succession, he had to do so soon. He hadn’t considered this; not at the time anyway. There were more pressing issues to contend with.
Yet, Perry had been persistent, insisting that Kendall choose Tyler Rumson, claiming the New Jersey Senator was the only man for the job. Kendall had worked with Perry during the last campaign and, although he had found him abrasive, the man had been effective in organizing the Republican machine behind the Walters-Kendall ticket.
Kendall hadn’t acquiesced to Perry’s demands. At least not right away. He had taken a week to review other candidates and solicit the opinions of key advisors and party elders. The line on Rumson was that he often resorted to strong-arm tactics to get his way. A bull in a china shop was how one person described him. But he had a good record in the Senate, got things done, and was able to raise considerable donations, which would be critical for an eventual reelection campaign.
President Kendall had taken four more days to meet with six final candidates. He had to admit that the meeting with Rumson had gone far better than he had expected. Rumson had been professional, respectful—deferential even—and had an air of statesmanship that was impressive. They discussed policy and, although they hadn’t agreed on several points, Rumson seemed to understand the issues at a detailed level and was able to take an informed position.
It had been clear that the Republican Party supported Rumson. And after the expedited background check found nothing negative, Kendall had made his decision. He needed as much backing as he could get within both houses of Congress, and Rumson seemed to have a well-established network.
The confirmation hearings had been quick, and Tyler Rumson had become Vice President of the United States.
CHAPTER TWO
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Something was wrong, Matthew Richter thought. He watched as the smile on Humpty’s face began to fade. Humpty looked sad, which puzzled Richter because he had never seen Humpty like this before.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Richter tried to move, he knew he had to move, but his body refused to respond. God! He felt like his limbs were stuck in cement. He reached for Humpty, trying to grab onto something, anything.
He watched in horror as Humpty tumbled past.
All the King’s horses and all the King’s men,
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
It was almost comical, to see everyone running around, no one sure what to do, panic in their eyes. It might have been funny, except that Humpty was bleeding. No matter what Richter did, he couldn’t stop the bleeding.
The blood began to drip from the ceiling onto his bed. He struggled to wipe the blood from his face, and when his eyes cleared he was staring at Humpty’s head. The head turned and, suddenly, a lopsided, perverted grin began to form on what was left of Humpty’s face.
I didn’t fall. I jumped!
___
Richter awoke with a start. It took him a moment to realize where he was. He sat up, shivering. The