Saturday, November 10, 2012

Chapter Thirty


Air Force One landed in Springfield, New Hampshire. The house of Petraeus was quiet. The President’s secret service knocked. His wife opened the door.

“Yes? Oh my, I guess you want to speak with David.”

The President moved past his men to hug her. “How are you Holly?”

Her eyes glazed over a bit. She managed a “fine, but I liked it better when David worked in the military. The games the CIA plays is unnerving.”

“For you and your family, the worst is over.” The president looked into her eyes, “I can’t tell you anything more, but please trust your husband. He’s a good man.”

She cried. “Thanks Mr. President.”

“May I speak with him privately?” asked the President.

“Of course. Please come in.”

General Petraeus was waiting in his robe. “Mr. President, good to see you.” They shook hands. “Honey, do you mind if I show off your gardens?”

“I’m sure they’re nothing compared to Michelle’s,” she replied, “but please enjoy.”

The President strolled thru hydrangeas and roses with Petraeus. The secret service posted up in the tulips and the violets. The air was a sweet mix of autumn leaves and burning wood. When they were far enough away from the house, they moved on from small talk.

“What’s good?” asked the President.

“Unfortunately, not the CIA.” Petraeus sighed. “I’m grateful the FBI was willing to play this out. Holly’s embarrassed, but she’ll be ok. My biographer, Paula Broadwell is willing to go along with this until it’s done, but I’m sure her husband is uncomfortable.”

“I’ll give her a job when this all calms down,” said the President.

Petraeus nodded, “I’ll get to the gist. Rove ok’d Benghazi. It was supposed to be their ‘October Surprise’ for you while tying up several loose ends:

1. Ambassador Stevens knew too much about the gold being looted from Libya, and being gay didn’t help his cause any. He was getting good information from the natives about who was involved, and it turned out to be mostly Bush/Cheney people. Once he showed his true colors, he became ‘fair game’.
2. That Mohammed parody was funded by GOP election money thru Rove. They got Sam Bacile to take the fall, but he’s also pleading the fifth. The demonstrations all over the middle east were instigated by agents sympathetic to the right wing, but it almost backfired. Most protesters showed up to denounce the assassination of Stevens and didn’t care about the film. Agents were able to video enough U.S. flag burning to make up for lack of actual participation.
3. Romney had prior knowledge of the attacks in Benghazi and was advised by Rove to squeeze you during the debates. He almost jumped the gun when he tweeted about it seconds after it happened. Only a few people noticed how impossibly informed he was, but they’ve been silenced.
4. Republicans tried to spin this as your fault immediately, but between the Libyans knowing the truth and Americans used to these games being played, the only part of the population who agreed were a handful of their own constituents. Congratulations sir, you beat them.”

“Governor Christie helped, and he’s likely to take some heat from the GOP too.” The President furrowed his brow, “I don’t like what they did to Stevens. That’s inexcusable. What’s the legal outlook on Rove? Can he be held accountable?”

Petraeus shrugged, “The people involved are too compartmentalized, but his influence is shrinking after spending $300 million to defeat you and not having squat to show for it. It might be better to continue surveillance. If he keeps abusing his diplomatic immunity in the name of partisan politics, he may slip up.”

The President thought for a moment. “This all leads to daddy Bush doesn’t it?”

Petraeus paused, “I believe ‘Poppy’ is still ‘in the shit’ if that’s what you mean. He contributed more secret money to Romney than anyone else, but he’s got other problems.”

“Oh?” asked the President.

Petraeus lowered his voice, “More evidence keeps surfacing about his past…and the CIA keeps having to hide it. It’s like J.E. Hoover got a kick out of leaving Easter eggs for future generations to marvel at.”

“Does it concern ‘the big event’?”

Petraeus didn’t blink. “During my time at the CIA, although I was kept in the dark, it became quite clear, George H.W. Bush was part of the team that assassinated John F. Kennedy in Dallas, 1963.”

The President closed his eyes. “Thank you David. You’ve served your country well. Keep your family safe. I’ve got some work to do.”

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