“It would be best if you sit your skank ass down, you traitorous bitch, while I’m still in a good mood,” the Terminator surfaced to deliver the seating order. “I think you’ll need to hear what we have to say before you run off at the mouth anymore.”
Cameron sat down even as she protested, seeing in Nick’s features deadly promise. “How dare you? I am a sitting US Senator! I don’t know what kind of trash you think you have on me, but I will call for a full investigation of you and your damn boss. This outrage will be answered. I know your informant here. Salvatore’s a cheap con artist with no credibility.”
“Oh shut up. Phil, it’s show and tell time. You have the floor. Don’t get wordy. Give it to her as we discussed.”
Phil, even more pouty after being called a cheap con artist, smiled at Nick’s direction. He set his laptop down on the desk. By the time he ended his presentation, Cameron’s face was a mask of worried realization. Nick took over then, taking out his iPad. He cued Omar Fontaine’s confession of collusion with Cameron, only his face and shoulders showing on the movie. After he played it for Cameron, horror replaced worry.
“I…I just heard Fontaine is dead. When was this video recorded?”
“Obviously before he died,” Nick replied. “I want your resignation from the Senate today. I don’t care what kind of cheesy bullshit you use to cover your exit. It’s been decided higher on the food chain you should be given an opportunity to leave the Senate gracefully. This is your opportunity. You know what we have on you. Phil is under my protection. It would not go well if anymore attempts are made on his life. Fontaine tried on your behalf to come after my family. You don’t ever want to do something stupid like that, Di. I will burn your house down.”
“You can’t think I had anything to do with-”
“I don’t think, Di. I know. You figured with Salvatore and me out of the way, you’d be home free. You’ve been a very bad girl. I bet you thought if one of those terrorist acts you enabled would have succeeded, all your backstage manipulations would be forgotten as poor old America joined hands against the bad guys.”
“What do you want, McCarty?”
“Get the official letterhead out and start typing. I’m walking out of here with your resignation in my hand. I also want confirmation you’ve sent copies to everyone on your e-mail list, including the President.”
“And if I don’t? What then, McCarty… you shoot me?”
Nick smiled. “Nothing will happen to you right away. I’ll take your answer with me, and you’ll be dealt with at a later date. If you like the idea of being frog marched out of the Senate chamber, keep playing the obnoxious above the law bitch card. My patience is wearing thin, Di. Get typing.”
Cameron hesitated but then began typing on her keyboard. A few moments later, she printed out a copy of the letter, and signed it. She handed it to Nick. He read it over with amusement.
“It’s so nice you’re giving up public service to spend more time with your family, Di. That’s very sweet. Print five more and sign them all. Then let me know when you’ve hit the send button to your mailing list so I can check your send box to make sure they were sent.”
A red faced Cameron completed the task with Nick doing a quick check of her send box contents. “I believe that concludes our business. A word to the wise – don’t pull any lame duck crap or I’ll make sure everything hits the news cycle within minutes. Another item I need to discuss with you before Phil and I leave is the bank account offshore Fontaine controlled for you so no one would know about your bribes. It’s gone, baby. I hope you banked your exorbitant Senate wages because your illegal slush fund no longer exists.”
“What?! You can’t do that!” This time Diane virtually vibrated in place, her fists clenched in helpless rage.
“Already done, Princess,” Nick said. “You’ll still be able to steal the taxpayers blind with your Senate retirement which is why I voted for the frog march. C’mon Phil. Let’s leave Di alone to start packing.”
“I won’t forget this, McCarty!”
Nick spun around in full Terminator mode. “You’d better forget all about everything, Di. Remember… you have family to think about. If you start thinking retribution our agreement will have to be adjusted. Believe me… you don’t want that. Your boy narrowly missed a date with justice. It could catch up to him if you’re not careful.”
At the mention of her son, Cameron shut up and looked away. Nick left without further comment. Phil followed. In the car with Clyde driving, Nick looked over the signed resignation sheets silently.
“You don’t seem too happy, Nick,” Clyde said. “You got her.”
“When I think of all the deals she’s done behind the taxpayers’ backs to get where she was and stay there, I wonder who got who.”