The Blackfire Protocol by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 53

Still standing on the beach, Frank put his arms around Betsy, attempting to comfort her as tears streamed down her face.

“Promise me you won’t become like them,” she said. Years had passed between them, and she thought she knew him, possibly better than anyone else. But he had an agenda that Betsy was completely unaware of—a part of him she knew nothing about and would probably frighten her if she did. In light of the conflict between his political ideals and Betsy’s reaction, Frank was forced to lie. His growing need for power and control seemed to be taking precedence over Betsy, and although he knew this would likely be their last trip to Maine for some time, he would understand if she never wanted to return.

“I promise,” he said. “That’s not me. You know that, right?”

It was his last few words that tipped her off. Frank was lying. As politicians go, he was a terrible liar, but she held her tongue and for the next few days tried to enjoy her time in the northern woods of Maine.

From the beach, they walked to the cabin and turned in for the night. Frank decided that in spite of the fact that Betsy seemed to have already figured out

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how deeply Frank was involved he would tell her anyway. And he told her everything. Call it a sudden twinge of guilt. Her reaction was obvious and displayed the lack of trust and respect she once held for him. Once the lights went out he expected her to make one of her aggressive advances but was surprised when the only thing she presented was silence. Making his own advance, he wrapped an arm around her as they lay in bed together but was rejected as she turned away from him, facing the window as a full moon rose into view. They had sat through dinner when she told him it might be best if they spent a few months apart. It wasn’t as though they had established a committed relationship, but politics can be a dangerous game, one that Betsy was unwilling to play.

They spent a few days at the cabin as Frank tried to patch up what was clearly a breach in their friendship. Betsy, on the other hand, had grown impatient with staying where she no longer felt comfortable, and packing her luggage informed him that she wanted to return to DC. They were on the road within a few hours. Ordinarily they would be talking for most of the way back, while on the plane, Betsy would fall asleep with her head on Frank’s shoulder. This time found her detached and lacking in conversation, as he struggled to think of a way to reestablish the connection they had always enjoyed. Even on the flight back, she insisted on a seat in a different section of the plane, forcing Frank to more seriously consider her request that they take a break for a while. By the time they landed in DC, Betsy had finally broken her silence, and as they got into

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her car, she waited a few moments before starting the engine.

“So,” she began. “What are we going to do? I don’t want to interfere with your career, but it seems like you got yourself into some real trouble.” Betsy was right. He should have known from the beginning that what this group wanted was more important than him, as well as the lives of everyone around him. The suspicions he had in the beginning all those years ago should have acted as a red flag, but between classes and time spent with Betsy, he somehow ignored the seriousness of what might happen in the future. Now, he felt as though his hands had been tied as he struggled for a plan of escape. And what about Betsy? Was her life at risk? He wanted to think that she was safe, but he wasn’t sure, but what he needed was a way to put her at ease, to make her think that everything would be okay.

“I think I can handle these people,” he replied. “What I need is a plan. Maybe I should take a few days off.”

Now he remembered the bill that sat on his desk. It would go to the Senate floor as soon as Congress was back in session.

“Shit,” he said. “I have to vote on the marijuana bill in a couple of days. I have to be on the Senate floor.” Betsy looked at him with a slight grin. It was something he had missed over the last few days and was relieved to see it.

“Let me get this straight,” she began. “You need to go off the grid for a while, but you have to vote on legalizing weed first. Frank, you need to get your priorities straight.”

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Another moment went by as both tried to formulate a way of staying out of reach of the group that seemed to be constantly watching them.

“Fuck,” she continued. “I could really use some of that right now.”

He was in complete agreement and, try as he might, could think of no one he might obtain it from. He thought that perhaps one of the Democrats could get him connected. Most of them wanted it removed from the schedule one list altogether. After all, it’s just a plant.

“Maybe another time,” he said. “Right now, I think we have more important things to be concerned with.”

Betsy began crying as Frank reached over and held her hand.

“I don’t know what to do,” she said. “What am I supposed to do?”

Not only were they occasional lovers, but Betsy worked for him, and this gave Frank an idea. “Why don’t you go on a vacation?” he asked. “Go someplace where no one could possibly figure out where you were.”

Betsy gave his idea some thought, but she lived in DC, and the cost of living was quite high. She just didn’t have the money.

“I can’t,” she said. “I’m running low on funds, and I just don’t think I can afford to get away.” Frank was a congressman, and although he didn’t make a lot of money, he had enough to send Betsy out of the country for a while.

“Let’s send you someplace on the cheap,” he said. “How about the Bahamas?”

Betsy looked at him affectionately.

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“Frank,” she replied. “I just don’t have the money.” Still sitting in her car, he turned towards her and, placing a hand on her leg, made her an offer. “Listen,” he said. “I’ve got money. I can’t go with you, but I can pay your way there.” Betsy was often too independent for her own good and immediately refused his offer. But this wasn’t just a friendly favor. Betsy needed to drop out of sight for a while, and Frank had the means by which she could do it. This was the plan that would ensure her safety, and after explaining it, Betsy agreed to go. She would spend two weeks in the sun, likely sleeping with the first man she met, but he had come to the conclusion years ago that this was simply how she had fun and was not opposed to it. As long as she didn’t return with anything that would require antibiotics, Frank would consider the plan a success.