The Legacy by Stephen Frey Page A

month for his lover, which wouldnt be so bad in and of itself. Hell, weve all strayed at one time or another. But I doubt Zahns mother, father, sister and the rest of his extended family would want to hear that the generals lover is a nineteen-year-old male cadet enrolled at the Citadel. That might be cause for some explaining on the Charleston social circuit.
    Walshs grin grew wider. Having that kind of information seems to make General Zahn fairly malleable.
    Very malleable. Jamison turned away from the window.
    So thats why you had no hesitation about informing Zahn of the circumstances. Jamison could be secretive about his motives sometimes, even with his chief of staff. Now Walsh was finally being shown the light on this issue.
    Hell, thats why I promoted him to deputy director of the DIA, and why I gave him responsibility for the mission. Our associate will be monitoring our progress carefully. Whoever was leading the mission would have asked questions. I can be open with Zahn and answer any of his questions because I know hell take whatever I tell him to his grave without telling anyone else. Closet homosexuals are good that way, especially ones with wives and children.
    Mmm. Walsh wanted to go over the bigger picture one more time. He had counseled the president against all of this many times over the last few days, and it seemed to him worth one more review. Do you really feel this whole thing is necessary?
    Absolutely, the president answered forcefully. You know how much I want a second term, and I dont have the financial war chest for the campaign, not like the one you tell me my opponent will have, anyway. I dont have time for thousands of coffee meetings and dinners, either. And theres so much scrutiny on campaign finance these days, I dont want to have to count on a substantial amount of fundraising to win reelection. Jamison sat back down in his chair. I need votes, Eric, and what we are doing will ensure that I get them. As it did the first time around. As it did in 1960. Jamison thought back to Zahns comment about irony. The general had been right on the button in more ways than one.
    But youre the incumbent, Walsh argued. Stay the course and youre a lock to be reelected next year.
    Tell Jimmy Carter and George Bush that, Jamison said quietly, gazing down at his desktop. I cant change my mind now anyway. My associate wouldnt take kindly to that.
    Walsh nodded in resignation.
    Were already in bed together, Jamison pointed out. We might as well make the sex good.
    I suppose, Walsh agreed.
    The president glanced up, forcing a positive tone into his voice. How did the attorney general hearings go today?
    Walsh waved his hand as if swatting at a fly. Ah, the senators on the committee are all chiding her on her lax record monitoring the casinos while she was attorney general for New Jersey, but ultimately theyll approve her. Weve got the votes. Itll only be another couple of days before we can break out the champagne and toast her appointment.
    The president smiled. Good. Things were progressing on schedule. His associate would be happy.

Chapter 5
    THE LONE GUARD seated behind the main lobbys long front desk wore a plain light gray business suit, as all Gilchrist & Company security personnel did when they were on duty. He also packed a snub-nosed .38 in a leather shoulder holster beneath the suit coat. Most of the guards were former New York City policemen. They never smiled, rarely engaged in conversation with nonsecurity personnel and were coldly efficient in protecting the Gilchrist premises.
    Cole held up his plastic photo identification card as he signed the after-hours register. The guard nodded stiffly, and Cole moved to the elevator banks. As the car ascended, he checked his wristwatch. It was pushing eight oclock. He had kissed Nicki goodbye after leading her back inside Emilios, then caught a cab to the Gilchrist Building. After he finished here, he would return to Emilios and pick her up. Cole smiled. He