The Peace Proxy: Part 1 Read Free

the numbers. On the
surface, it appears the settlement put the state at a disadvantage,
but the out-of-scope work was extensive. Due to a misunderstanding
of the contract structure, much of the work had been completed. The
Union made it clear anything short of a renegotiation would be countered with legal action. It is
important for the residents of New Jersey to understand the cost of
litigation would have been considerably more than negotiation. At
least this way the residents of New Jersey are getting services for
the expense.”
    “Yes,” Garrett paused briefly, feigning
contemplation over his next statement. “There are some rumors
concerning the nature of the compensation.”
    The Governor again shifted his bulk as if
the subject had somehow rendered the conforming chair decidedly
uncomfortable. “The terms of the agreement are public record,” he
countered.
    Garrett continued, “I am referring to rumors
of personal compensation.”
    “I assure you my staff’s ethics are
impeccable,” the Governor replied coolly.
    Garrett responded with a half-smile, knowing
the interview was about to take an ugly turn. “No doubt. The rumors
concern your involvement.”
    The Governor straightened, scattering items
across his desk. The reaction could not have been more dramatic if
he had been struck by a stray bolt of
lightning from the clear blue sky visible through the room’s
decadent picture window.
    “Mr. Richards, that accusation borders on
slander,” he belted out with all the anger he could muster. “If
you’ve come here to accuse me, you’re gravely mistaken.” His eyes
narrowed as he continued with a sinister tone, “Do you think I
don’t know how you ended up with that two-bit rag you write for
now? How hard do you think it will be to discredit you?”
    Garrett assessed Governor Weller for a
moment before calmly replying, “Given my history, how sure do you think I would have to be to accuse you?”
    The Governor’s face blanched as he
considered the question. He swallowed before replying in a raspy
voice, “We’re done here.”
    Garrett allowed a brief pause before using
the adage, “Is that your official statement?”
    The Governor stood rapidly, nearly knocking
his chair over in the process. He postured to seem as imposing as
his small frame allowed. Garrett had worked him into quite a
frenzy. This was more like it, now for the
crescendo.
    “Get the hell out of my office!” the
Governor bellowed. “My lawyers will have an injunction against the
Herald in place before you can get back to New York.”
    Garrett relaxed in his chair, as if the
Governor had just repeated Julie’s offer for coffee.
    “One last item before I leave,” Garrett
began calmly. “Could I get your comments on this conversation?” As
he finished, Garrett placed a small oblong
device on the Governor’s desk and depressed a recessed button on
its side. The device obligingly played a voice recording. The
Governor recognized the speaker. It was he.
    “ If the contract goes for open bid we’re
going to lose it, ” the Governor’s voice emanated from the
recording device, filling the otherwise quiet room. The Governor
also recognized the second voice as Karl Sigler, the owner of U.S.
Granite, the company that currently held and, through the recent
negotiations, retained the state’s infrastructure contract.
    Karl’s retort was
direct, “ You’d better figure out a way to keep that from
happening, Frank. ”
    Irritated, the Governor replied , “I told
you never to use my name, jackass. ”
    “ Whatever, Frank ,” Karl countered.
“ If this deal goes sour don’t think you’re going back to being
an honest citizen. You’ve made a lot of money off me. It wouldn’t be in your best interest to
become useless. ”
    The Governor abruptly collapsed into his
chair. As the recording played on, he appeared to shrink into the
cushions as if he was some morsel being slowly
digested by the overstuffed upholstery. The