Sparring Partners(85)
JACK: You gotta problem with the deal?
KIRK: A major problem. Our lives are much less complicated without Bolton sticking his nose into the firm’s business. He got only ten years, a rather light sentence for disposing of our mother. He deserved twenty. Bottom line, Jack, is that he’s served five years and a pardon now will cause a major shit storm that Sturgiss can’t survive.
JACK: [A grunt, a fake laugh.] Sturgiss won’t care once he’s reelected. He can’t run again after four more years. He couldn’t care less about what the wacky newspapers say.
KIRK: Okay, okay, let’s not argue politics. My point is that we are opposed to a pardon.
JACK: [Another laugh.] Let me get this straight. You want to keep your old man in prison. Right?
KIRK: Yes, that’s correct. And we’re willing to pay.
JACK: [Laughs some more. Takes a long pause.] Gotta say, Kirk, this is a new one. I just thought I’d seen it all. [Another pause.] So, uh, now that we’re in a bidding war with Malloys on opposite sides, how much are you willing to pay?
KIRK: Two point five.
JACK: [Whistles.] Okay. Plain enough. Two point five to forget the pardon and keep the ole boy behind bars.”
KIRK: “That’s it. And the gov gets the added benefit of not breaking the law. He’s not selling a pardon.
JACK: The governor is not involved, Kirk.
KIRK: No of course not.
JACK: I’ll uh, discuss it with the committee and get back. Time is of the essence. What if I pop by your office tomorrow?
KIRK: That’ll work. I’ll be in.
* * *
—
The following day, the FBI trailed Jackal as he was driven, in a black SUV registered to the campaign, from its headquarters to the Malloy building. He got out on the sidewalk, never bothered to look around, and went in through the front door. Most thugs engaged in a criminal enterprise would at least glance at the surroundings, but Jackal had far too much experience to appear ill at ease.
There were no FBI agents inside the firm because it was deemed too risky, but Kirk’s office, as well as the three conference rooms in his suite, were filled with enough bugs to start a plague. Two vans filled with technicians and listening devices were parked at the curb.
Six days later, the grand jury would hear the second conversation.
Again, the indictable portion was:
KIRK: Have a seat.
JACK: No thanks. This won’t take but a second. The committee met last night to consider your bid and decided it’s a tad low. The price is three mil. Half now, as soon as possible, for the campaign, payable to our PAC, all nice and clean. The other half is due in January, and we’ll handle it offshore.
KIRK: [Grunts.] Why am I not surprised? You guys raise the price for all your pardons.
JACK: It’s not a pardon. It’s a non-pardon. In or out?
KIRK: [A long pause.] Okay. okay. We can do three.
JACK: And there’s the small matter of my broker’s fee. Two-fifty, payable up front, offshore.
KIRK: Of course. Anybody else?
JACK: Here are the wiring instructions. Keep this close. No paperwork anywhere, no emails, texts, cell phone calls. Everything leaves a trail.
KIRK: That’s what they say.
Jackal was trailed back to the campaign headquarters. An hour later, Kirk called Rusty at home and replayed the conversation. They cursed the governor and Jackal, and struggled with their next move. Neither wanted to pay the bribe, but the thought of Bolton out of prison and on the loose was beyond unsettling. Finally, they agreed to move forward. Kirk would ride to the seventh floor, have a chat with Old Stu, give him the wiring instructions, and start the ball rolling.
The conversation was eavesdropped and recorded. When Kirk entered Old Stu’s office, every sound was scooped up by the bugs. Stu played along, took the wiring instructions, made a copy for the FBI, and promised to start the two wires: the first to the campaign for $1.5 million, and the second to a numbered Swiss account for $250,000.
Kirk had serious doubts if anyone with the campaign, including Sturgiss himself, knew of Jackal’s “brokerage commission.”
He left the firm for lunch and went to the extended-stay hotel suite he was renting by the month. He’d been there for two weeks and was already tired of the place. As cramped as it was, he was delighted to be out of his house and away from Chrissy.
He stood in a hot shower for a long time, trying to wash away the grime and filth of dirty politics.
(38)
Diantha met Adrian Reece after work in a wine bar near Washington University. They ordered a half-bottle of a Riesling and retired to a dark corner. Diantha had resisted the temptation to call Houston Doyle directly because she knew he was a busy man and wouldn’t divulge much.
Adrian was cautious with her update. The surveillance had worked beautifully. The three conspirators had said more than enough to get themselves indicted. The grand jury would see the case in three days and everyone expected formal charges. Governor Sturgiss would be investigated soon after the election. Word had come from the highest places in Washington that Sturgiss would not be charged with anything until well after the votes were counted. When and if he were charged, he would be presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial. A quick indictment just before the election smacked of raw politics, and the Attorney General said no.