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Harper agreed it was a good idea and that it would open up jobs for people to work on manufacturing the trailers. But, when Hurricane Marco hit, Harper began claiming this was what he had personally been working on. And, he claimed it all the way up the ladder, all the way up to the President.
    Then there was the press conference. Fitzpatrick clenched his teeth as he remembered what Harper had said. He was in Texas at the time, dealing with the after-effects of Marco, when he found out about the press conference. Later that same day, he saw a taped copy of the speech. At the time, he was glad he was in Texas. Harper should have been glad too. He would have come close to killing him if he had been in Washington. Now, the public thought it was Harper’s idea. He never forgave Harper for what he had done.
    Fitzpatrick was glad it was Friday. His wife wasn’t going to be happy though. He was going out of town again. He was going back to Texas to make sure everything was going well. He had gotten reports from his field supervisor’s and had watched CNN. If anyone was going to report the truth, CNN would. From the reports, things were going well. But he wanted to see for himself and to see if there was anything more he could do. And to get out of Washington.
    Just then, Patty came in with a cup of coffee for him. She sat the cup down on his desk.
    “ Thanks Patty,” he said. “What’s on the schedule today?”
    “ I’ve got it all on the calendar on your computer. Mr. Harper called this morning. He wants to talk to you. I tried to tell him you had a busy schedule, but he was insistent.”
    “ So, when did you schedule him for?” Fitzpatrick was already thinking of ways to get out of the meeting.
    “ Two o’clock this afternoon. I tried to get it as late in the day as possible.”
    He was sure Patty knew the problem he was having with Harper. He nodded.
    “ Thanks. When is my first appointment?”
    “ In half an hour. Ron Wilson wants to see you.”
    Ron Wilson was the Assistant Administrator of Response and Recovery. Fitzpatrick had worked closely with Ron during hurricane Marco.
    “ Okay, that will give me time to get ready for him. Thanks again for the coffee.” It was a subtle hint, but one that told her he needed peace and quiet right now. She nodded and walked back out of the office, closing the door behind her.
    Fitzpatrick turned to his computer and turned it on. While he waited, he took a sip of coffee. It was hot and the best coffee he ever had. He made a mental note to have his wife call Patty for the recipe. His wife cannot make coffee to save her soul.
    Then he leaned back in his chair, remembering his career. He was now the Assistant Administrator of Disaster Operations. He had held a similar job with the state government in Colorado. His goal was to be appointed to the Administrator of FEMA. He had held a similar position in Colorado in 1995. But, when the FEMA job opened in May, he was passed over.
    He had no choice. He would have to wait a while longer. At the rate Harper was going, he doubted he would be around for long anyway. Fitzpatrick’s wife was not helping his situation either. She kept reminding him he should have gotten the Administrator position months ago. He agreed, but he didn’t have control over the situation. He was at the highest position he had ever been in with FEMA. The next natural step was the Administrator position. Someday, he would get the position. First, he had to prove his worth.
    It is just a matter of time, he thought, as he looked at his schedule on the computer. It was a light schedule, which was all right, because he had to concentrate on what he needed to do over the weekend. He had to make sure he did everything right and make sure everyone knows it.
    Things will go well this weekend, he thought. He would make sure of that. Harper wasn’t going to like it though. That brought a smile to his face.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    Six hours later, Patty knocked on