The Whisper Box (28 page)

There was another crowd of reporters gathering outside the police station chanting for the release of Aaron Gallo. The world had stopped for a few hours. This was the biggest story in United States history. This was bigger than any assassinations. This was bigger than infidelity in the White House. This was
the
story. The man that led the United States for seven and a half years was just reduced to a low life scum within minutes.

The crowd around the White House was the crowd of reporters that got to see the real fireworks. About one hour after the story broke, and while reporters and cameramen were staring into the window that was far off in the distance, they all saw a quick flash of light. It was completely dark outside and there were not many lights on in this section of the house. His private office window had closed curtains that somewhat dimmed the lights, and then there was a quick flash that could only be one thing. Five minutes later the shock wave hit the sea of reporters outside. At 8:17pm President Howard W. Farnsworth was pronounced dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The greatest controversy and tragedy had just taken place in United States history. This was all started by a secretary who was stuffed into a small office above the President’s private room. Three men overcame every obstacle that was put in their way to save a country they loved from a monster with the power to destroy it. Only two lived to see the task through, but all three were American heroes.

23

BACK AT THE AIRPORT – CONTINUED…

“So blondie, what's your new name?”

“Oh man, I hate it. I'm Ned Jasper. I look nothing like a Ned. I have to tell ya', if I knew I was going to wind up as a Ned, I never would have done this.” Aaron was really angry.

“Oh c'mon man, you'll get used to it. I think Ned is a great name.” Grant smiled as he spoke.

“OK baldy, what's your new name?” Aaron was waiting to hear if he could sink his teeth into it.

“Actually I haven’t opened my envelope yet. I'm scared to. I have to admit, the name Grant Winchester is pretty cool.”

“Well, open the envelope then, I want to know if you are also a Ned or an Iggy, or something I can make fun of.”

“I left my envelope in my bag over there. Enjoy your family. I'll go get it.” Grant spun and walked towards his pile of bags again on the runway on the other side of the plane.

“Hey,” called Aaron, “who's the woman with you?”

“She's an old friend. We used to hang out a lot before I got famous. It's a long story.” Still smiling, he obviously really liked this woman.

“How did you get it approved for her to come with us?” Aaron was curious now.

“Simple. I lied to the FBI. I told them she knew everything. So here she is.” His smile grew larger.

“What's her name?” Grant amazed Aaron.

“I'll tell you later on the plane. I'll introduce you, we'll open my envelope. Go back to your wife and kids.” Grant waved Aaron away.

Seeing Grant now, with all of this behind them seemed therapeutic. Turning back towards his family, he explained why his wedding ring was in Becky Welsh's room. She said she knew he would never cheat on her and knew he would never kill without being confronted first. He explained his trip to the house while Anderson was there and the things he learned. He explained the nights talking to Ladies First and how he never put two and two together that Ladies First was actually the First Lady.

They discussed their new life in the witness protection program. An only child, her parents had been dead for three years now -- she did not mind. Aaron only had his father and talked the FBI into allowing him to come along since he was involved. Shot and left for dead -- he, too, could be in danger. They were excited knowing they would never have to pay taxes again. The United States Government would see to it that they were always taken care of financially. The government he loved so much was about to return the favor for a lifetime.

Aaron waved his father over to the group that had formed under the wing and introduced him to everyone. His dad smiled and shook hands from his wheel chair then he grabbed Matty and sat her on his lap. He started wheeling her around in circles. The wild man that was ready to kill two Secret Service agents with his bare hands was a teddy bear at heart.

Aaron regretted that he was never able to go back to his office and see Miles. He wanted to laugh at him. All Aaron ever did was chastise Miles for the things he did on the Internet. Miles must have been laughing at him uncontrollably. He could hear Miles's voice breaking up through the laughter to say, “Damn, you say I'm causing trouble in the chat rooms, I betcha' you wish you were in my shoes now. The porn rooms don't look so bad now, do they?”

Nash Simmons was offered a Head Anchorman position with MSNBC yesterday but he chose to turn down the offer. He stated that nothing he ever did for the rest of his life would ever live up to being the first reporter to be on television with the biggest story in United States history. He was also convinced to come along with the witness protection program caravan. He, too, would be shot someday if he stuck around the states in such a highly visible position. Nash was happy with his decision. He lived out a dream the other night and that made him feel complete.

The pilot walked out to the runway and asked all the passengers to board the aircraft. He introduced four FBI officers that would protect them on their travels. When the plane landed in Jamaica all four officers would be let off the aircraft for confidentiality reasons and then the plane would take off again for an unknown island. All the passengers boarded. Aaron sat alone while his wife got the children comfortable.

Grant pulled out his copy of the newspaper and read several different articles about the story. In total the FBI issued warrants for over one hundred people that were expected to be involved in this 'Governmental Mafia', as the Jersey Times called it. The group of people involved included police officers, drug dealers, governmental officials, laymen and a cast of other White House staff members. Aaron just read the sports page.

More and more stories came out of the laundry as days progressed. The woman in the videos that was having sex with the President against her will came forward to speak to reporters and police. It seemed as if the entire country stopped for the week and was enthralled by their television screens. Roy Steel of AutoWorld spoke up about how he was extorted years ago before Farnsworth was even in the Senate.

There were more stories about Aaron, Grant and McFarland Hart III. The columnists praised the 'real fathers of our country' after all they had been through. Aaron was offered eleven million dollars to write a book about the last two weeks. He was tempted until he realized that he would be dead before he finished. The FBI convinced all of the people on this flight that there were still plenty of crooked people out there that they would never be able to convict. Those very same people would kill them all one by one, hence, the mass witness protection caravan.

Just then Grant sat down next to Aaron. “Hey man, I got my new name.”

“Oh yeah, well spill the beans my friend.”

“Ashley Tronco. I think that's better than Ned Jasper.” Grant was all smiles.

“Tronco? You're Italian now?”

“Maybe you'd be surprised to know that I actually am Italian,” Grant said proudly.

“Winchester ain't the most Italian name my friend.”

“Maybe this ain't my first name change.” Grant whispered back to his buddy.

“So what is your real name than?” No longer kidding, this piqued his interest.

“Jason Rama.” Grant rubbed his scalp and laid his head back. This was one flight he was going to enjoy.

“So what's the mystery woman's name that you brought with you?”

“Heather. She's an old friend that needs a new life just like us. Wasn't too hard to convince her to come with me. Let's leave it at that and get a drink.” Grant raised his right hand at the man standing near the front of the plane.

The man brought them both ice-cold beers. They opened them simultaneously, gave cheers to their victory and began to piece this puzzle together. Grant told Aaron about his years at the Alabama Sun. He explained how he was so close to breaking several stories and then he explained the death threat from Senator Farnsworth.

Grant told Aaron of how he actually alerted the police in 1991 about the murder when Farnsworth was in college. He called from a payphone in Boston, Massachusetts. He told the police that he actually saw the girl leave the party with Howard, when actually he just made up the story that he had heard passed through the grapevine over the years.

He explained how he went back to Anson Ripple after almost a year and sold him on the idea of helping him change his face to get back into Alabama some day. He explained the name change after the operation and how the name was actually the idea of Anson. After weeks and weeks of recovery Anson felt as if he had a son. He did not want Grant to leave his estate. They talked further about a plan and Anson offered to pay for Grant to go to school for media science. Anson agreed to pay for all of it if it would help bring Slick Howie down. Grant attended Villanova University where he graduated with a degree in Media Arts.

When he graduated, Anson Ripple was there. They explained everything to his parents over dinner that night who swore to secrecy forever. Grant applied and interviewed for a job at CNN that week. He was a promising young student that had straight A's across his report card with a promising career ahead of him.

Given an entry-level position with the media giant, he had his foot in the door. Anson got him a full time tutor to study the art of television reporting. Grant had become Anson's personal Frankenstein. He moved up the ladder rapidly as the money was well spent. Grant became the head anchor for CNN about two years after his hire date. Anson found the best agents and management team possible. He spared no expense. He wanted Grant to be a star in this business. The more credibility he carried with him, the harder Farnsworth would fall someday.

Grant explained how little Anson Ripple passed on last year. Grant was there by his side as he lay on his deathbed eaten away by cancer. Anson told him he loved him; that he was the true son he never had. He asked Grant to promise him that he would see through their plan. Grant made the promise. With the help of some friends, he kept that promise.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Originally from
New York, Roger Anthony Olivieri now lives with his family in South Carolina. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he was inspired to write by a close friend. A passion for sports and internet curiosity promise more novels centered on these themes. Other works of fiction include The Secret League.