The Stack-‘Em-High on Beverly Grove was unusually busy for a midweek lunchtime. Vargas and Hembury sat at the bar munching their way through a couple of house burgers along with draught pints of Heineken. Although it was one of LA’s most popular sports bars, the TV screens were set to CNN, awaiting a much-anticipated press conference from John Franklin, scheduled for one thirty. Rumours were flying around the media that he was about to stand down as the Republican candidate, although nobody was sure. His chief of staff had simply announced that the presidential candidate had some grave news to deliver and the news networks obliged by clearing their schedules. Vargas poured a huge dollop of ketchup on his fries and put his arm around Hembury’s shoulder.
“I’m booked on the red-eye tonight to Buenos Aires so, once he makes the resignation announcement, I suggest we spend the afternoon here getting totally wasted.”
“You’ll get no fight from me on that one. I’m wondering what he’s going to say about his old man’s death. So far, he’s managed to keep it quiet. Nic, I’ve got to tell you, this has been the most insane and dangerous case I’ve ever worked on. Both of us nearly died. But, strangely, I’m really going to miss you.”
Vargas smiled and the two men clinked their pint glasses in a mutual toast. The female news host on CNN announced it was time for the press conference and the screen cut to John Franklin’s campaign office to reveal the presidential candidate sitting behind his desk. He had a sombre expression on his face, as opposed to the beaming smile his millions of supporters had come to expect. He stared straight down the lens and began reading the prompter containing his prepared speech. His subdued voice was laced with sincerity and warmth. The man was a talented liar.
“Today, I want to address the American people about a tragic event. Last night, my father, Richard Franklin, tragically took his own life. As millions of you know, his story was the embodiment of the great American dream. Together with my late uncle, he moved the small family pharmaceutical company from Buenos Aires to San Francisco where he proceeded to build the Franklin Corporation into one of the biggest companies in the world. He was a truly inspirational man – a leader of men and a wonderful, loving father. I and my family are grief-stricken by his sudden passing. For many years, he hid a dark secret from the world.”
Franklin suddenly paused and appeared to wipe a tear away from his right eye. He was a superb actor, giving an Oscar-winning performance. After a few seconds of silence, he continued.
“My father suffered from extreme mental health issues but, such was his strength of character and generosity of spirit, he kept these hidden from almost everybody in his life. The truth is, he never recovered from the death of my mother, which took place shortly after I was born. He brought me up as a single father and never considered remarrying, as the love of his life had gone. His sudden passing has made me re-evaluate my goals and values.
“As his sole heir, I automatically inherit the majority shareholding in the Franklin Corporation and will become the new CEO. I have decided I want my father’s legacy to be the ultimate gift to the American people, so I am going to pass over total control of the company to the federal government. It will take over one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and the American people will enjoy the financial and humanitarian benefits that come with that ownership.”
A spontaneous burst of applause echoed around the sports bar, which took Hembury and Vargas by complete surprise. John Franklin had found a way to put a positive spin on his father’s death.
“Now, I want to talk about my own personal future.”
Hembury was chewing on a cold fry slathered in ketchup. “Here we go.”
Franklin left another dramatic pause, big enough to drive a bus through.
“I have decided I owe it to my father’s memory to dedicate the rest of my life to the American people. Having divested myself of the corporation and handed it over to the safe hands of the nation, I now pledge to serve my country in the ultimate way.”
Once again, Franklin paused and maintained eye contact with the camera without blinking.
“I intend to be the next president of the United States.”
Pandemonium broke out in the bar as diners spontaneously stood to applaud and cheer the Republican candidate, who had just won the hearts of the whole country.
Vargas turned to Hembury, who was wearing a bemused expression on his face. “Troy, what the fuck just happened?”