Текст книги " Red White and Black and Blue "
Автор книги: Richard Stevenson
сообщить о нарушении
Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 15 страниц)
Chapter Thirty-one
"Holy shit, Strachey, I heard you were good, but this is incredible! You not only got rid of that disgusting degenerate Louderbush, but now Merle Ostwind will soon be gone, too.
The New York electorate won't have to do much more than declare Shy governor by acclamation. I mean, yes, it was touch and go there for a while. But, man oh man, did you ever pull it out in the end! I can't begin to thank you enough.
Have you ever thought of switching careers and going into politics? God, I'd be glad to help set you up."
"No, not politics. But recently I did briefly consider working on Wall Street. I'd join up just long enough to salt away a billion or two. Then retire to Thailand and live on spicy green papaya salad and invite the pool boys to hop up on my lap."
"Ha ha. Yeah, I can see you on Wall Street."
"With the pizza stains on my pants and my ear hanging off?"
"It'd be fun to watch from a distance, I'll say that."
Dunphy and I were in the private dining room at Da Vinci waiting for Shy McCloskey to show up. Dunphy had filled in McCloskey by phone, and the campaign director told me the senator was just thrilled, thrilled, thrilled with the way it was all turning out.
"I'm just glad," I said, "that I'm back in Senator McCloskey's good graces. For a while, his opinion of me was in the cellar, and that hurt. Did McCloskey mention to you, by the way, that it was he who was feeding somebody in Krupa's 261
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
operation information about my psychic makeup so that my behavior could be manipulated? Spurred on or warned off, depending on the day of the week?"
The door opened and a waiter came in with an antipasti platter. Dunphy clammed up and waited.
After the waiter closed the door behind him, Dunphy said,
"I don't believe that. Krupa told you that?"
"I know," I said, "that the guy is a major liar."
"And let us not neglect to add, major troublemaker."
"I just wondered if you'd heard anything about that."
"No."
"Okay."
"Look, Shy doesn't tell me everything. Like you, I just work here. But it doesn't sound like the Shy McCloskey I know."
"I'd hate to think that the next governor of New York was that cynical. I've also wondered at times, Tom, if you yourself weren't recording our conversations. There were times when you talked to me in language that seemed to be aimed over my head somewhere, perhaps at a grand jury. Was I just imaging that?"
He looked less hurt than bemused. "God, this is what we've all come to, what with the technology routinely available today. A bunch of paranoiacs."
"And it never occurred to Shy McCloskey to join the modern-day political throngs who spend so much time and energy on legally dubious electronic intel gathering?"
"Well, he's going to have to deal with the Legislature. So any dark skills he may have developed along the way would 262
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
certainly come in handy. But tell me something, Don. How much does the Times Union know about what's going on with all this? A reporter named Vicki Jablonski called me today.
She asked about you and your relationship with the campaign. I said you had worked for us in a consultant's capacity but that you were basically a volunteer at this point.
Apparently you dropped the dime on Louderbush as to his putting his boyfriends on his family health insurance plan?"
"Jablonski doesn't know any of the rest of it, just the Louderbush insurance fraud. She'll dig up the beaten boyfriend stuff—maybe even the Greg Stiver death after I go to the Albany DA—and she'll think she's on top of the political story of the decade. I'm a little concerned that Louderbush himself will take the transcripts I gave him and turn them over to law enforcement, but since they incriminate him as much as anybody, that's unlikely. It's all a strategy of mutually assured destruction at this point. Nobody can afford to fire the first nuke because the retaliation will be instantaneous and massive."
"Wow. You could have been Secretary of State under...who? Johnson? Reagan?"
"Yet another missed career opportunity."
The door opened and Shy McCloskey shuffled in. He didn't look happy. He looked mad.
"Senator," Dunphy blurted, "should I send out for champagne now or...what's wrong? You look...pissed?"
"Shut up and sit down."
McCloskey dropped into a chair.
"I'm out of the race."
263
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
"What? No way. What?"
"I'll say it's my prostate. You can get something ready."
"But...but...."
"Merle called me."
"Mrs. Ostwind."
"Strachey, you have fucked this up so badly. Don't bother with champagne. And please don't eat any more of my prosciutto or provolone. You're fired, you fucking moron!"
My impulse was to start stuffing meat and cheese into my pockets. I hadn't been reimbursed for any of my expenses, including a charter flight to Kurtzburg and back, and suddenly this job was looking oh so much less lucrative than it had a day earlier.
"What happened?" I said.
"Merle didn't know about any of this. You did your little deal with Sam Krupa, and he called her today and told her she'd have to withdraw from the race, and she went bananas.
She claims– claims — she didn't know anything about Sam's operations: the e-mail and phone hacking, the Serbians, the rest of it. It is possible she didn't know. Plausible deniability and all that. Do what you have to do, and don't tell me. I don't like my people to operate that way, but some people do it. They think it keeps their virginity intact forever."
Dunphy said, "Jesus."
"So Merle says to me, she says, she doesn't give a flying fuck—not her words—about those Wall Street assholes. She says they should all be in jail. Merle is...what? The last Eisenhower Republican? She's nice. That's what Merle is, nice.
Though if she was elected governor, the Wall Street people 264
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
would run roughshod. She'd let them because Merle doesn't like to make waves. She hates a scene. It's rude. It's tasteless. It's not how people should comport themselves."
Dunphy was gazing at the prosciutto, and I wondered if he might pocket some, too.
"But the thing is," McCloskey went on, "Merle isn't dumb either. She heard what Krupa told her about the market taking a dive if all this hooey came out about the filthy secret campaign being waged on her behalf, and the Ostwinds no doubt have a portfolio of their own, as do their pals at the Mamaroneck Beach and Tennis Club. So she was able to grasp that she would have to leave the race to keep all this crap under wraps and the markets secure. Her only condition for dropping out was, that I drop out, too. Otherwise, she was staying in, and fuck Wall Street—again, not her words. So that's it. It's over. I'm going to have to go back and live among those half-wits in the Senate. My political life is finished, finished."
For a long moment, we all sat staring at nothing, each of us lost in his own thoughts.
It was Dunphy who finally spoke.
He said, "What about Andrew Cuomo? They say he's tired of being AG and eager to follow in his semi-beloved father's footsteps. And he'd be a terrific governor. I know I'd work to get him elected."
"Tom," McCloskey said, "I want you to stand up, walk through that door, and get out of my sight!"
Me, I wasn't even worth noticing anymore.
* * * *
265
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
Epilogue
Timmy was able to wangle extra tickets to the Cuomo inaugural celebration, a modest event owing to the state budget crisis. Bud Giannopolous came along, and also his cousin Ephram.
Afterward, we all went down for dinner at Da Vinci. The place was packed with Democrats, all whooping it up and getting their political victory jollies. Tom Dunphy came over to our table and told us how ecstatic he was to finally be part of a winning gubernatorial campaign in New York State. When I introduced him to Bud, he turned pale, mumbled a terse greeting, and fled.
The papers that day were also full of news of Kenyon Louderbush's having been charged with assault by seven young men. One of them was Trey Bigelow. He had asked the DA if the presiding judge in the trial might be Judge Judy, but an assistant DA told Bigelow she was sorry that her office could make no promises in that regard.
Janie Insinger had the satisfaction of seeing Louderbush brought to justice without having to trouble her employer.
She would not be called to testify. Virgil Jackman, on the other hand, was a major source for Vicki Jablonski in her extensive explosive reporting, and he was helpful to APD
when it reopened the Greg Stiver suicide case. Of the eighteen young men who were discovered to have been beaten by Louderbush—only seven wished to press charges—
three told prosecutors Louderbush had once gotten drunk and 266
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
bragged about having thrown a college student off a high building and killed him. None of that could be proved, of course, but the multiple assault convictions would undoubtedly land Louderbush in Attica for what would be in effect a life term. It looked as if it would be justice OJ-style.
Imperfect, but there you are.
Jennifer Stiver tried to get Shenango Life to reconsider its denial of her life insurance claim. But since a Louderbush murder conviction seemed unlikely, the company told her to take a hike. She later told me that as disappointed as she was, at least she didn't have to turn on her TV and watch Shy McCloskey sworn in as governor.
The Tea Party, left in the lurch by Louderbush's exposure as a sadistic criminal, famously came up with a gubernatorial candidate—a rich, obnoxious real estate mogul from Buffalo—
to run on the Republican instead of the Democratic ticket, but that turned out badly for them, too.
At the Da Vinci Democratic victory dinner, Timmy, ever the evangelical Jesuit I love, tried to talk Bud Giannopolous into going straight and avoiding ending up in the federal pen.
"Maybe," Timmy said, "you could do cybersecurity for some good outfit like Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch."
Plainly, this did not get Bud's blood coursing. He sat slumped in his chair and nodded glumly.
"Or, what about working for some revolutionary movement in the Middle East? There's an American political theorist named Gene Sharp whose ideas on nonviolent resistance in right-wing police states are being studied by young people in 267
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
Tunisia and Egypt. I'm sure these people will need technical help with the social networks they'll use when the time comes to try to overthrow evil regimes like Ben Ali's and Mubarak's.
That all sounds like a natural for you, Bud."
Bud sat up. He said he'd like to hear more.
[Back to Table of Contents]
268
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
About the Author
Richard Stevenson is the pseudonym of Richard Lipez, author of thirteen books, including the Don Strachey private eye series. He also cowrote Grand Scam with Peter Stein, and contributed to Crimes of the Scene: A Mystery Novel Guide for the International Traveler. He is a mystery reviewer for The Washington Post and a former editorial writer for The Berkshire Eagle. Lipez's reporting, reviews, and fiction have appeared in Newsday, the Boston Globe, The Progressive, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's, and many other publications. Four Don Strachey books have been filmed by here!TV. Lipez grew up in Pennsylvania, went to college there, and served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1962—64. He is married to sculptor Joe Wheaton and lives in Becket, Massachusetts.
[Back to Table of Contents]
269
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
Trademarks Acknowledgment
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
7-Eleven by 7-Eleven, Inc.
ACLU by American Civil Liberties Union American Federation of Teachers by American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
Bank of America by Bank of America Corporation BBC America by British Broadcasting Corporation Blackberry by Research In Motion Limited Cadillac Escalade by General Motors LLC
Cinnabon by Cinnabon, Inc.
Cessna by Textron Innovations Inc.
Colgate by Colgate-Palmolive Company Comfort Inn by Choice Hotels International, Inc.
CNBC by by CNBC, Inc.
CNN by Cable News Network, Inc.
Crowne Plaza by Six Continents Hotels, Inc.
Cutty Sark by Edrington Distillers Limited Dasani by Coca-Cola Company
Denny's by DFO, LLC Limited Liability Company Diebold by Diebold Incorporated
Facebook by Facebook Inc.
The Federalist Society by the Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies
270
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
Fox Business by by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Fox News by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation GE by General Electric Company
Good Housekeeping by Hearst Communications, Inc.
Hallmark Channel by Crown Media Holdings Heinz by H.J. Heinz Company
The Home Depot by Homer TLC, Inc.
Honda by Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Hyundai by Hyundai Corporation
KFC by KFC Corporation
Lincoln Navigator by the Ford Motor Company Log Cabin Republicans by Log Cabin Republicans Maalox by Aventis Pharmaceuticals Products Inc.
Motel 6 by Societe de Participations et D'Investissements de Motels
MSNBC by MSNBC
National Review by National Review Inc.
The New York Post by NYP Holdings, Inc.
New York Giants by New York Football Giants, Inc.
New York Yankees by New York Yankees Partnership NPR by National Public Radio, Inc.
Outback Steakhouse by OS Asset, Inc.
Phi Beta Kappa by Phi Beta Kappa Society Philadelphia Phillies by The Phillies Poland Springs by Great Spring Waters of America Inc Price Chopper by Golub Corporation
The Price is Right by Fremantlemedia Operations B.V.
271
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
Rutgers by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Instrumentality
Sam Adams by BBC Brands, LLC
Smith & Wesson by Smith & Wesson Corp.
SUNY by State University of New York Super 8 by Cendant Finance Holding Company LLC
Time Warner by Time Warner Inc.
TCM by Turner Classic Movies LP, LLLP
Taser by TASER International, Inc.
Toyota by Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha TA Toyota Motor Corporation
Triple A by the American Automobile Association, Inc.
Tylenol, by the Tylenol Company
UPS by United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
UVM by University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
Verizon by Verizon Trademark Services LLC
Walmart by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
WAMC Northeast Public Radio by WAMC Education Corporation
The Weather Channel by Weather Channel Inc.
[Back to Table of Contents]
272
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
MLR Press Authors
Featuring a roll call of some of the best writers of gay erotica and mysteries today!
Derek Adams
M. Jules Aedin
Maura Anderson
Victor J. Banis
Jeanne Barrack
Laura Baumbach
Alex Beecroft
Sarah Black
Ally Blue
J.P. Bowie
Barry Brennessel
Michael Breyette
P.A. Brown
Brenda Bryce
Jade Buchanan
James Buchanan
Charlie Cochrane
Karenna Colcroft
Jamie Craig
Kirby Crow
Dick D.
Ethan Day
Diana DeRicci
Jason Edding
273
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
Angela Fiddler
Dakota Flint
S.J. Frost
Kimberly Gardner
Roland Graeme
Storm Grant
Amber Green
LB Gregg
Drewey Wayne Gunn
Kaje Harper
Jan Irving
David Juhren
Samantha Kane
Kiernan Kelly
M. King
Matthew Lang
J.L. Langley
Josh Lanyon
Clare London
William Maltese
Gary Martine
Z.A. Maxfield
Timothy McGivney
Lloyd A. Meeker
Patric Michael
AKM Miles
Reiko Morgan
Jet Mykles
William Neale
274
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
Willa Okati
L. Picaro
Neil S. Plakcy
Jordan Castillo Price
Luisa Prieto
Rick R. Reed
A.M. Riley
George Seaton
Jardonn Smith
Caro Soles
JoAnne Soper-Cook
Richard Stevenson
Liz Strange
Marshall Thornton
Lex Valentine
Haley Walsh
Missy Welsh
Stevie Woods
Lance Zarimba
Check out titles, both available and forthcoming, at www.mlrpress.com
[Back to Table of Contents]
275
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
THE TREVOR PROJECT
The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves lives though its free and confidential helpline, its website and its educational services. If you or a friend are feeling lost or alone call The Trevor Helpline. If you or a friend are feeling lost, alone, confused or in crisis, please call The Trevor Helpline. You'll be able to speak confidentially with a trained counselor 24/7.
The Trevor Helpline: 866-488-7386
On the Web: www.thetrevorproject.org/
THE GAY MEN'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT
Founded in 1994, The Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project is a grassroots, non-profit organization founded by a gay male survivor of domestic violence and developed through the strength, contributions and participation of the community.
The Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project supports victims and survivors through education, advocacy and direct services. Understanding that the serious public health issue of domestic violence is not gender specific, we serve men in relationships with men, regardless of how they identify, and stand ready to assist them in navigating through abusive relationships.
GMDVP Helpline: 800.832.1901
On the Web: gmdvp.org/
276
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
THE GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST
DEFAMATION/GLAAD EN ESPANOL
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (glaad) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
On the Web: www.glaad.org/
glaad en espanol: www.glaad.org/espanol/bienvenido.php SERVICEMEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
(dadt).The sldn provides free, confidential legal services to all those impacted by dadt and related discrimination. Since 1993, its inhouse legal team has responded to more than 9,000 requests for assistance. In Congress, it leads the fight to repeal dadt and replace it with a law that ensures equal treatment for every servicemember, regardless of sexual orientation. In the courts, it works to challenge the constitutionality of dadt.
sldn Call: (202) 328-3244
PO Box 65301 or (202) 328-FAIR
Washington DC 20035-5301 e-mail: [email protected] On the Web: sldn.org/
THE GLBT NATIONAL HELP CENTER
277
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
The glbt National Help Center is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that is dedicated to meeting the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and those questioning their sexual orientation and gender identity. It is an outgrowth of the Gay & Lesbian National Hotline, which began in 1996 and now is a primary program of The glbt National Help Center. It offers several different programs including two national hotlines that help members of the glbt community talk about the important issues that they are facing in their lives. It helps end the isolation that many people feel, by providing a safe environment on the phone or via the internet to discuss issues that people can't talk about anywhere else. The glbt National Help Center also helps other organizations build the infrastructure they need to provide strong support to our community at the local level.
National Hotline: 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564) National Youth Talkline 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)
On the Web: www.glnh.org/
e-mail: [email protected]
* * * *
If you're a GLBT and questioning student heading off to university, should know that there are resources on campus for you. Here's just a sample:
US LOCAL GLBT COLLEGE CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS
dv-8.com/resources/us/local/campus.html 278
Red White and Black and Blue
by Richard Stevenson
GLBT Scholarship Resources tinyurl.com/6fx9v6
Syracuse University lgbt.syr.edu/
Texas A&M glbt.tamu.edu/
Tulane University www.oma.tulane.edu/LGBT/Default.htm University of Alaska www.uaf.edu/agla/
University of California, Davis lgbtrc.ucdavis.edu/
University of California, San Francisco lgbt.ucsf.edu/
University of Colorado www.colorado.edu/glbtrc/
University of Florida www.dso.ufl.edu/multicultural/lgbt/
University of Hawaiyi, Manoa manoa.hawaii.edu/lgbt/
University of Utah www.sa.utah.edu/lgbt/
University of Virginia
www.virginia.edu/deanofstudents/lgbt/
Vanderbilt University www.vanderbilt.edu/lgbtqi/
279
