Read Under Suspicion - The Legend of D.B. Cooper Page 113

In the Mayor’s office in Seattle, Mayor Demsey and Governor Wilson sat with their aids and watched in astonishment to the newscast. Governor Wilson sat silently in his chair and quickly calculated the ramifications of what just happened. He recalled his earlier fears that his friend Alan Bradley Sr. would propel his son into the Governor’s mansion, forcing Wilson out.

  His face was like stone as he smiled inside himself. Like father like son, Wilson thought comically. Agent Bradley just stepped in it big time. His political future was doomed. The relief of it quickly faded, though, as his recognized the threat to his own future.

  After Bradley’s harsh criticism of Cranston and Harper on the afternoon news, Wilson adjourned his meeting with the State’s Mayors so that he could attend to the situation personally. He’d called every Washington Representative and the two Senators in DC and asked them to help him force Cranston and Harper to retire.

  After what had just occurred, he’d now look like a fool. Sure, members from his own party would probably be willing to forget it ever happened, but some of those members of Congress were from the other party. There was nothing they’d like more than to help there own parties chances in the next election by crucifying him now.

  He had to beat them to the punch and make a statement to the press. A few hours ago he was riding high, but the political tide just changed and he’d have to scramble to avoid being left on the rocks. Cranston had just extended the olive branch, and Wilson had to quickly determine how best to use it.

  Mayor Demsey also listened to the broadcast in silence. Occasionally glancing over at Wilson, Demsey knew what had to be going through his mind and he did some political calculating of his own. He could see that Wilson’s balloon was sinking fast and in order to save himself, he’d have to throw the dead weight over the side. Bradley was now ballast and he needed to be gotten rid of.

  Mayor Demsey had been the only one to witness Wilson’s calls to DC on Bradley’s behalf, and he tried to figure out how best to use that information. First of all, Wilson would need Demsey to not only remain quiet himself, but also to make things right with his party’s Congressman. Demsey and Wilson were from opposite parties and were constantly at odds.

  This was Demsey’s opportunity to do some back scratching and get something for himself. Wilson would have to move fast and, in order to do so, would be willing to wheel and deal. Mayor Demsey also thought quickly on how to best take advantage of the situation.

  Governor Wilson was in deep thought, and knew he had a major problem. It was then that he first considered Demsey and noticed the occasional glances from his counterpart. Wilson turned slowly to face Demsey and leaned forward to address him. For a few moments, they both stared into each other’s eyes coldly and knew what the other was thinking.

  “All right, Demsey,” Governor Wilson finally said. “What’s it going to take?”

  Mayor Demsey’s low-income, inner-city housing project had run into delays and cost overruns. For the last six months, Demsey had been lobbying Wilson for State assistance to finish the project, but was constantly refused. “I want the funds necessary to complete my housing project,” Demsey stated firmly.

  Wilson’s eyes narrowed. He’d purposely withheld funds so that his party could use the situation against Demsey in the next election. But that was now impossible. Through clenched teeth he forced the word from his mouth.

  “Agreed.” Wilson then turned to his aide. “Gather the press corp. I’m going to make an announcement.” The aide quickly turned and rushed out of the room.

  It was then that Demsey let the other shoe drop. “There’s more,” he said coolly.

  Wilson looked back at him with surprise. “Don’t you think you’ve taken advantage of me enough for one day?”

  “I want to get re-elected too, you know,” Demsey stated as he calculated his next move. Both he and Wilson had been on the front cover of the paper last week with Agent Bradley. If Cranston was going to pull Wilson out of the fire, Demsey was going to grab on as well. “I suggest that we have a joint press conference, where we’ll explain to the public the details of our secret project for removing bad cops from the streets.”

  Again Wilson’s eyes narrowed at this suggestion. He didn’t want to share the limelight with anyone, especially someone from the opposite party. After a few moments, an eyebrow lifted as he thought of something. “A bipartisan plan to remove bad law enforcement officers from service.” He suddenly saw the wisdom in it. “The voters will love it!”

  Demsey instantly stood and extended his hand with a smile. “Congratulations, Mr. Governor. Our secret bipartisan plan worked!”

  Wilson stood and shook Demsey’s hand enthusiastically. “And congratulations to you, Mr. Mayor. Our secret plan was a complete success! I couldn’t be more pleased!”

  At that instant, the aide returned to the room. “Sir, the press corp is waiting.”

  “Well, let’s go make our statement,” Wilson said. With that, huge smiles came over their faces and they walked out of the room side by side.