The Labyrinth Campaign (7 page)

“Now, John, I know it’s not optimal, but his family was not suspected of drug trafficking at that time, and it’s not like we play golf together on weekends. In fact, we haven’t spoken in over ten years.”

“So what does he have to do with the ecological undermining of President Hughes?”

“Well, when we graduated from Oxford, we did a little bar-hopping the night before we both came back to this side of the pond.”

Will explained about the night in the bar, the ensuing fight, and how he had most assuredly saved Carlos Pendrill, now the most powerful and feared man in Mexico, from being beaten to death in the alley behind a London pub.

“So you see, John, Carlos Pendrill owes me one. My repayment for saving his life is a few well-placed environmental accidents carried out by his people. Hughes won’t know what hit him.”

Smiling, Will Hawkins leaned back in his chair, clearly proud of his elaborate plan. John Rollins was silent for several moments, obviously pondering the monumental risk to what had just been laid out before him.

When he finally spoke, it was three simple words: “Let’s do it.”

At the same moment, in
The Dallas Free Press
headquarters on the other side of downtown, Greg Larson and Tom Johnson were meeting in Johnson’s office.

“I’m telling you, Tom,” Larson complained, “this series is going nowhere. I can’t find a thing on Will Hawkins. No affairs, no tax problems. They even pay Social Security tax on their maids and yard people. This guy’s obviously known for a long time that he was going to run for president. I really believed that the legendary ruthlessness and drive of the Hawkins family would turn up some scandal to liven up this campaign.”

“Maybe it’s just legend,” Tom Johnson responded.

“I don’t buy it, Tom. I’ve always believed there was something fishy about the Hawkins family, and I should be the investigative reporter to uncover it.”

“Well, regardless of whether you uncover any dirt on Will Hawkins or not, this campaign is big news in Dallas, and I’d like you to continue. Not to mention that you all but guaranteed Chambers a newsworthy breakthrough.” Johnson shrugged and broke into a big grin.

“I’ll continue, but I need help, Tom.”

“Name it.”

“I want a full-time researcher assigned to me. I want to uncover the shady dealings that I’m convinced exist within the confines of the Hawkins family compound.”

Johnson, relieved by the simple nature of the request, quickly agreed. He was ecstatic to be keeping his best reporter on the biggest story in Dallas since 1963.

W
ill Hawkins’s campaign numbers were slowly climbing, but at a rate that had the pollsters predicting Hawkins could not overtake President Hughes and win the general election. Jack McCarthy was concerned, and he channeled that concern into what he knew best: identifying a strategic insight that would make a product more appealing to consumers. As Jack flew on the Hawkins’s private jet from market to market, he conducted a grueling series of quantitative research studies, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews. His findings were not identifying anything new or insightful. But they had confirmed that the American public, while supportive of President Hughes, believed that the current administration was neglecting the environment and the war on drugs.

When Jack arrived at Dallas Love Field in the Hawkins Gulfstream V, he’d only slept four of the past forty-eight hours. But rather than go home for a nap, he called Will Hawkins’s administrative assistant, Stephanie Wood, to request the earliest possible opening on Hawkins’s extremely busy calendar. After a few moments of delay, Stephanie returned to the line. “Jack, Mr. Hawkins says he can see you in ninety minutes. The limo should be there in a few minutes, so I guess you’ll
have some time to kill. I could meet you at Capitol Grill for a quick lunch if you’re interested.”

Jack was starving but thought better of being seen at the trendy Dallas eatery with Will Hawkins’s very attractive assistant. The press, not to mention Carrie’s nosey friends, would have a field day if the two of them were spotted together. This also wasn’t the first time Stephanie had shown interest in Jack. It would be prudent not to encourage her.

“It sounds great, Stephanie, but if I’m going to be meeting with the future president of the United States, a shower is probably the smart plan.”

They both laughed, and Jack signed off by saying he’d see her around 1:15.

When Jack entered Will Hawkins’s plush office, the candidate was talking in hushed tones on one of his three desktop telephones. He casually motioned for Jack to sit on one of the couches on the opposite side of the office. Jack strolled casually to the window looking out on the Crescent and beyond.

When Will Hawkins ended his call, he immediately asked, “What do you have for me, Jack? I need a boost this afternoon.”

“Well, sir, there’s not much new to report.”

“Jack, I would prefer if you called me Will. I’m not that much older than you are. Secondly, I need news. You’ve been on our plane for the past ten days crisscrossing the country, and I need something fresh.”

“Well, Will, I believe we have something fresh, something new.”

“Go on.”

“Our research confirms that your platform is consistent with the American people’s concerns. Ecological naiveté and lip service relating to the war on drugs are the issues that are top-of-mind. Will, it’s time to announce your alliance with The Future State Foundation. Endorsement and support from David Ellis, focusing on all the issues but with special emphasis on the environment and drugs, should have a significant impact on America’s view of the Hughes and Hawkins campaigns.”

“I agree, Jack. And as a matter of fact, David Ellis and I are meeting in three days to map out the announcement. I was concerned that I might alienate certain constituencies, but your work over the past week validates that my concerns are unwarranted.”

Jack was stunned.

“I don’t know what to say. I thought I was coming in here to convince you of the merits of the alliance. Instead, you’re three days away from finalizing it. I feel like an idiot.”

“Not at all, Jack. I’ve been forging ahead because I was concerned that Ray Langston, our naïve Democratic competitor from Oregon, might beat me to the punch. Your research over the past ten days has provided me a shitload of confidence that this alliance is exactly what my campaign needs. Now, I know you’ve been killing yourself ever since you started here, so take a couple of days off and be here fresh and ready for our meeting with David Ellis.”

“Really?” Jack knew he was an integral player in the development of the campaign’s strategy, but he never expected to be included in the meeting.

“I appreciate the invitation, Will, and I won’t embarrass you.” “I know you won’t, Jack. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a couple of calls to make.”

Jack and Will shook hands, and Jack let himself out of the office. Walking down the hallway, he pulled out his cell phone to see if he could coax Carrie out of the office early for drinks, dinner, and a quiet evening alone.

After Jack had left, Will Hawkins sat pondering what it would be like to sit alone in the Oval Office as the most powerful person in the world. The thought sent chills down his spine. But just as quickly as the daydream began, it ended with a more sobering thought—what if he lost?
Once again, Will Hawkins remembered what he’d known for years: Losing was not something he could deal with or ever even contemplate. He had to do whatever it took to win the presidency. The decision was final: Carlos Pendrill was the necessary evil that would help ensure his victory.

W
ill Hawkins and Carlos Pendrill sat in the large open living area of the Hawkins ranch in Ozona, Texas. Wildcat Ranch, aptly named by Bo Hawkins nearly thirty years ago, had served many purposes over the years: hosting family holiday getaways; a hunting lodge for the senior Hawkins, his friends, and business associates; and a clandestine meeting ground for rendezvous that were best kept out of the press. On a blustery autumn afternoon, a meeting was taking place there that both participants were most anxious to keep out of the public eye.

As Will and Carlos exchanged pleasantries and stories from their college days, the well-appointed, rustic ranch house seemed to be absorbing the gravity of the moment. When both men appeared to have run out of small talk, Carlos Pendrill took the direct approach. “Will, it really is great to see you, but I’m tired of waiting to hear why you asked me here. What is so important and secretive that you send a rented plane to Mexico City to fly me to this beautiful home in the most god-forsaken portion of the Texas outback?”

Will remained quiet. As the two men stared at each other, Carlos was obviously getting annoyed. Finally, Will broke the silence. “Carlos, I’ve
asked you here to do me a favor. Not just any favor; this is a monumental favor.”

“So what do you need, my friend?”

“Well, let me give you a little background. We’re not worried about winning the Democratic nomination. But once we match up with President Hughes, we don’t think we’ll fare as well. And since you probably don’t follow my political career all that closely …”

“Ah, but I do, Will. I actually follow your career quite closely,” Carlos said.

“I’m flattered, Carlos, but what I am getting at is that my campaign platforms are consistent with the leadership the American people want. These platforms also identify a relative weakness in the current administration. What I need is some help in accelerating the public awareness of this weakness in an effort to quickly surpass President Hughes in the public opinion polls.”

“And that’s where I come in.”

“Correct. I need your organization to execute a few mishaps resulting in some newsworthy ecological events that will reinforce my current platforms and capitalize on my yet-to-be-announced alliance with David Ellis and his Future State Foundation.”

The room fell silent. The only sounds were coming from outside where the hands on the working ranch were putting an end to another day.

When Carlos finally spoke, his voice was firm and direct. “I’m willing to consider your proposal, but my participation will not come without some reciprocal favors.”

“What about the favor of saving your life in London?” Will asked.

“I will never forget that night, Will. But what you are asking today could jeopardize everything I have worked so hard to build.”

Disgusted, Will responded, “What type of favors would you be looking for?”

“I would like to develop an arrangement where my product shipments find an easier path to my US distributors.”

“You mean I simplify your drug-smuggling operation? You must be out of your fucking mind! An agreement like that flies in the face of everything I stand for and believe. I will not stoop to that level.”

“But you’re willing to stoop to ecological terrorism to get elected. Seems somewhat hypocritical, don’t you think?” Carlos had a slight sneer on his face.

“Fuck off, Carlos. Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly kids, die by your hand each year. My solution is not intended to kill anyone.”

“You’re so naïve, Will. Any disaster of the magnitude necessary to warrant national press coverage will include some incidental human sacrifice. You need big disasters to generate big news. So get tough or stop wasting my time. And just one point of clarification,” Carlos continued. “Drug users die by their own hand, not mine. I’m simply a businessman dealing in the real world of supply and demand. And if I don’t supply it, someone else will.”

Again the ranch house was quiet. “I can’t do it, Carlos. Even if I wanted to, I’m not sure I could.”

“Well, I guess that ends our little reunion,” Carlos said, standing. “I wish you the best in your efforts to become the next US president. Oh, and by the way, if I see an increased effort to crack down on my enterprise while you’re in office, I’ll make sure this private conversation becomes very public.”

Will stared at Pendrill. “Carlos, wait. I’m sure we can work something out. What if we plant one of your key lieutenants on the Drug Enforcement Council? Then you’ll have an insider who will have much more impact than I could have personally. And it also maintains the proper distance between us.”