Teddy frowned. “Who is this man?”
“Sam Snyder,” Holly said. “He’s a Democratic congressman from Maryland, and a personal friend of the President. He should know as much as anyone about the workings of Congress.”
“Including why they’d be important to Middle Eastern terrorists?”
“Let’s not hope for miracles.”
Holly’s phone rang. She answered, said, “Show him in,” and hung up. “He’s here.”
“I should probably be seated at the conference table,” Teddy said. “I don’t know why it makes me look more official, but it does.”
Teddy went into the conference room and sat down. Moments later Holly ushered Sam Snyder into the room.
Teddy sized up the elderly congressman, and figured him for friendly and verbose. He was right on both counts. Just the introductions threatened to bore Teddy to distraction. He managed to cut the old man short and urge him toward the point.
“I’ve never understood the workings of Congress,” Teddy said, “and I appreciate your expertise. The veterans aid bill, for instance. What can you tell me about that?”
“Do you have all afternoon?” Sam Snyder said. His eyes twinkled. “You want to know the effect of the assassination on the veterans aid bill.”
Teddy smiled. “Why do you say that?”
“Why else would you bring me here? You’re wondering if I have any insights, being a friend of the President. I know Kate, and she isn’t thinking in those terms. She’s horrified by the death of Congressman Drexel. She’ll deal with it, of course, but she’s not glorying in the fact that the death of a Republican congressman makes it easier for the clean bill to pass.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Teddy said.
“But of course. Congressman Drexel was one of the chief opponents of the bill.”
“With him out of the way, will it pass?”
“The chances are certainly better. It really depends on what Speaker Blaine does. You know he’s been meeting with the President. That’s a very hopeful sign.”
“What would happen if he came out in favor of the bill?”
“It’s hard to say now. Congressman Drexel would have leaped into the breach, mounted a countercharge. With him gone, Congressman Herman Foster might step up, but he’s a lesser light. The bill would have a strong chance of passing.”
“I see.”
“But it can’t be the reason for the assassination. Why would the terrorists care about the bill? The one thing can’t have anything to do with the other.”
“He’s absolutely right,” Teddy said, after Sam Snyder had finally made a lengthy exit. “Why would the terrorists care if the bill passed or not? On the other hand, it’s all the kidnappers seem to want. By rights, the kidnapping and the assassination shouldn’t be connected at all.”
“Except the kidnapper’s Middle Eastern.”
“Let’s not fall into a racial profiling trap. They’re both Middle Eastern. That doesn’t mean they’re working together.”
“It would be nice to be able to prove they’re not.”
“I’d be happy either way,” Teddy said. “It’s not knowing that’s driving me crazy.”