Page 95 of State of Denial

“Don’t tell me he thinks I shouldn’t have thrown the book at them.”

“I haven’t picked up that vibe. There was nothing else you could’ve done, and he certainly knows that.”

“Then what’s he want?”

“Maybe to talk about where we go from here?”

“We’ve asked the secretaries of each service to nominate replacements.”

“I’ve already heard from the Air Force and Navy. Waiting on the Army, Marine Corps, National Guard and Space Operations.”

“Maybe McDougal wants to talk about how the Senate will quickly confirm your choice of the new chair.”

“You take the meeting with him and see what he wants,” Nick said.

“Will do.”

“And tell Cox I want an update on where we stand with charges against the traitors.”

“About that,” Terry said. “He’s getting some pushback on charging them.”

“Why?”

“The thinking is that a prosecution would do more harm than good.”

“They were plotting to overthrow my administration.”

“But they didn’t go through with it.”

“Because someone tipped me off, not because they decided not to.”

“I understand the outrage, and believe me, I feel it, too. However, a long-drawn-out prosecution will keep this matter alive in the press and the consciousness of the country for the length of your term.”

“It’s not up to us. It’s Cox’s decision as attorney general.”

“Some of the pushback is coming from him. He’s not sure there’s a case. Most of the Joint Chiefs’ discussions about the matter were in person, so there’s no documentation. Nothing to build a case on.”

“They all but admitted it to me.”

“But they didn’t come right out and say the words. Cox thinks it might be enough to dishonorably discharge them and hold up their pensions.”

“What message does that send to the next general or admiral who doesn’t approve of the president and plots to overthrow him or her?” Nick shook his head. “I know I’m supposed to steer clear of Justice Department business, but I think they should be charged. Even if they aren’t convicted, the trials would send the message that there’ll be consequences for plotting a military coup.”

“I hear you, and I’ll pass that along.”

“Please let the AG know that I will fully honor and respect whatever decision he ultimately makes.”

“I’ll do that, too.”

Nick sat back in his chair, feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted, and his day had only just begun. “What’re you hearing about my mother?”

“Nothing new since the arraignment. The public defender seems to be a putz, though. Not sure he’s capable of dealing with charges of this sort.”

“Remind me that I’m not under any obligation to provide an attorney for her.”

“You’re not under any obligation to provide an attorney for her, and it would be my most strenuous advice for you to stay out of it entirely.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought you’d say. And yet… I picture her sitting in jail while I’m in the Oval Office, and despite everything, I don’t like how that feels.”

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