The Brethren

Neither wanted a long lunch. "The French are selling toys to the North Koreans again," Teddy said, offering a crumb.

"What kinds of toys?" the President asked, though he knew precisely about the trafficking. And Teddy knew he knew.

"It's their version of stealth radar, which is quite stupid because they haven't perfected it yet. But the North Koreans are even dumber because they're paying for it. They'll buy anything from France, especially if the French try to hide it. The French, of course, know this, so it's all cloak and dagger and the North Koreans pay top dollar."

The President pushed a button and the waiter appeared to remove their plates. Another brought chicken and pasta.

"How's your health?" the President asked.

"About the same. I'll probably leave when you do."

This pleased them both, the prospect of the other leaving. For no apparent reason, the President then launched into a windy narrative about his Vice President, and what a wonderful job he would do in the Oval Office. He ignored his lunch and became very earnest in his opinions of what a fine human being and brilliant thinker and capable leader the man was. Teddy played with his chicken.

"How do you see the race?" the President asked.

"I honestly don't care." Teddy said, lying again. "As I told you, I'm leaving Washington when you do, Mr. President. I'm retiring to my little farm where there's no television, no newspapers, nothing but a little fishing and a lot of rest. I'm tired, sir."

"Aaron Lake scares me." the President said.

You don't know the half of it, Teddy thought. "Why?" he asked, taking a bite. Eat, and let him talk.

"A single issue. Nothing but defense. You give the Pentagon unlimited resources and they'll waste enough to feed the third world. And all this money worries me."

It never worried you before. The last thing Teddy wanted was a long, useless conversation about politics. They were wasting time. The sooner he finished his business, the sooner he could return to the safety of Langley. "I'm here to ask a favor." he said slowly.

"Yes, I know What can I do for you?" The President was smiling and chewing, enjoying both the chicken and the rare moment of having the upper hand.

"It's a little out of the ordinary. I'd like clemency for three federal prisoners."

The chewing and smiling stopped, not out of shock but out of confusion. Clemency was usually a simple matter, unless it involved spies or terrorists or infamous politicians. "Spies?" the President asked.

"No. Judges. One from California, one from Texas, one from Mississippi. They're serving their time together in a federal prison in Florida."

"Judges?"

"Yes, Mr. President."

"Do I know these people?"

"I doubt it. The one from California was once the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court out there. He got himself recalled, then had a little trouble with the IRS."

"I think I remember that."

"He was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to seven years. He's served two. The one from Texas was a trial judge, a Reagan appointee. He got drunk and killed a couple of hikers inYellowstone."

"I do remember that, but vaguely"

"It was several years ago. The one from Mississippi was a justice of the Peace who got caught embezzling bingo profits."

"I must've missed that one."

There was a long pause as they considered the questions. The President was bewildered and not certain where to start. Teddy wasn't sure what was coming, so they finished eating in silence. Neither wanted dessert.

The request was an easy one, at least for the President. The felons were virtually unknown, as were their victims. Any fallout would be quick and painless, especially for a politician whose career was less than seven months from being over. He'd been pressured to grant far more difficult pardons. The Russians always had a few spies they lobbied to get back. There were two Mexican businessmen locked away in Idaho for drug trafficking, and every time a treaty of some sort was on the table their clemency became an issue. There was a Canadian Jew serving a life sentence for spying, and the Israelis were determined to get him out.

Three unknown judges? The President could sign his name three times and the matter would be over. Teddy would owe him.

It would be a simple matter, but that was no reason to make things easy for Teddy.

"I'm sure there's a good reason for this request," he said.

"Of course."

"A matter of grave national security?"

"Not really Just a few favors for old friends."

"Old friends? Do you know these men?"

"No. But I know their friends."

The lie was so obvious the President almost jumped at it. How could Teddy know the friends of three judges who just happened to be serving time together?

Nothing would come from grilling Teddy Maynard, nothing but frustration. And the President would not stoop that low. He would not beg for information he'd never get. Whatever Teddy's motives were, he would take them to his grave.

"This is a bit confiising." the President said with a shrug.

"I know. Let's leave it at that."

"What's the fallout?"

"Not much.The families of the two kids who were killed in Yellowstone might squawk, and I wouldn't blame them."

"How long ago was it?"

"Three and a half years."

"You want me to pardon a Republican federal judge?"

"He's not a Republican now, Mr. President. They have to swear off politics once they take the bench. Now that he's been convicted, he can't even vote. I'm sure if you granted clemency he'd become a big fan of yours.

"I'm sure he would."

"If it'll make matters easier, these gentlemen will agree to leave the country for at least two years."

"Why?"

"It might look bad if they return home. Folks will know that they somehow got out early. This can be kept very quiet."

"Did the judge from California pay the taxes he tried to evade?"

"He did."

"And did the guy from Mississippi repay the money he stole?"

"Yes sir."

All the questions were superficial. He had to ask something.

The last favor had dealt with nuclear spying. The CIA had a report documenting widespread infiltration of Chinese spies in and through virtually all levels of the US. nuclear arms program. The President learned of the report just days before he was scheduled to visit China for a highly touted summit. He asked Teddy to come have lunch, and over the same chicken and pasta he asked that the report be held for a few weeks.Teddy agreed. Later, he wanted the report modified to place more blame on prior administrations. Teddy rewrote it himself. When it was finally released, the President deflected most of the blame.

Chinese spying and national security, versus three obscure ex judges. Teddy knew he would get the pardons.

"If they leave the country, where will they go?" the President asked.

"We're not sure yet."

The waiter brought coffee. When he was gone, the President asked, "Will this in any way hurt the Vice President?"

And with the same expressionless face, Teddy said, "No. How could it?"

"You tell me. I have no clue what you're doing."

"There's nothing to worry about, Mr. President. I'm asking for a small favor. With a little luck, this will not be reported anywhere."

They sipped their coffee and both wanted to leave. The President had a full afternoon with more pleasant matters. Teddy needed a nap. The President was relieved it was such a benign request. Teddy was thinking, If you only knew.

"Give me a few days to do the background," the President said. "These requests are pouring in, as you might guess. Seems everybody wants something now that my days are numbered."

"Your last month here will be your happiest." Teddy said with a rare grin. "I've seen enough Presidents to know"