Read Under Suspicion - The Legend of D.B. Cooper Page 32
“Huh, what?…Bradley!” Cranston yelled, realizing that he was just hung up on. Cranston reached for the bottle of Pepto as he slammed down the phone. After taking a large gulp, he started to study the photos in front of him.
Fifteen minutes later, Governor Ted Wilson hung up the phone after talking to Agent Bradley. Standing up from behind the huge antique mahogany desk in his office, he stepped to the window and stared off into space. He had seen the morning news report and was extremely impressed. The report also opened a nagging question in the back of his mind that disturbed him. No law enforcement officer had ever enjoyed as much limelight as Agent Bradley. Could it all be part of a bid for political power? he wondered.
Wilson had been in politics his whole life and recognized a power play when he saw it. Months ago he had confronted his long time friend and former college roommate, Alan Bradley Sr., and asked him that very same question. To Wilson’s dismay, Alan Sr. denied any plan what so ever.
That was bad news for Wilson. In politics there was always a plan. The denial of one meant certain doom to anyone not knowing about it. Not knowing was the worst thing possible because it didn’t give you time to make plans of your own.
Of course there had to be a plan. Wilson had known Alan Sr. for too long, and knew all too well about his lust for political power. Alan Sr.’s fall from political grace had been a blessing to Wilson. After Alan Sr. lost his chance for the White House, he put his support and influence behind Wilson lifting him from the State Legislature to the Governor’s mansion in what seemed like no time at all.
Alan Sr. was the best spin doctor Wilson had ever seen. His attention to detail on Wilson’s campaign was impeccable, and he was sure Alan Sr. was now doing the same for his son. Wilson was now convinced that Alan Sr.’s efforts in helping him were really just a practice run for something bigger. Alan Sr. was going to try and launch Alan Jr. into the White House. He was sure of it.
Would that road take Alan Jr. through the Governor’s office? Wilson analyzed the possibility, and concluded that the threat was real. But not right away. Bradley wouldn’t throw his only son into a major political ring without some practice. That meant, most likely, the Seattle Mayor’s office would be first. That was all right with Wilson. Demsey had been a pain in the butt for years, and Wilson was looking forward to having an ally governing the largest city in the State.
The Bradley’s had two options for the next step, either the Governor’s office or Congress. Wilson compared the records of previous Presidents and one fact stood out. All recent Presidents had once been the Governor of a State. Knowing Alan Sr.’s love of statistics favored only one conclusion. Wilson would soon be out of a job. The thought of it burned him up! How could Bradley, his best friend, betray him like this? How dare he!
Wilson quickly shook off those feelings as unconstructive. What did he expect? After all, blood was thicker than friendship. He was given no guarantee of future support, and it was foolish to expect it. This was just the normal shuffling of political power that happened everyday in every country throughout the world. One day you were in, and the next you were out.
But Wilson wasn’t ready to be out. He had gained power by being useful to Alan Sr. and, by god, he was going to remain that way! He may not be a part of Bradley’s plans now, but that could change if he was flexible enough—if he sailed with the tide instead of against it.
He decided to give Agent Bradley his unconditional support, and when it came time to step aside, he would do so gracefully. When that time came, he would remind his old friends of his faithful service, and perhaps they would throw him a bone. Maybe even make him a Senator or future Cabinet Member. Wilson smiled at the thought approvingly. After all, the young prince would need supporters in DC, wouldn’t he?
A moment later he stepped back to his desk and pushed the intercom button for his assistant.