Chapter Five

The President’s secretary brought the mail into the Oval Office. “Here you are Mr. President”, said Betty “oh and we’ve received several of these”. She dropped four tea bags into the Presidents palm.

“Damn Tea baggers” said President Makepeace. “This Tea Party should put up or shut up”. This regular demonstration for lower taxes however harmless was beginning to get on his nerves.

“I have Governor Taylor outside Mr. President would you like me to send him in or would you like to look at your mail first”.

“No wheel him in” Linus Makepeace gave the teabags back to Betty “make some tea Betty the American people wouldn’t want us to waste those”.

A smiling Governor Lou Taylor of Vermont entered the Oval Office and crossing the President’s Seal woven in the carpet he held out his hand that was warmly received by the President. “Good to see you again Lou, how’s that pretty little wife of yours, Violet May”?

“Just great Mr. President, Violet May sends her kind regards”.

The two politicians sat together and drank tea. President Makepeace began to explain his vision for the American people. The Governor listened intently to his President and hoped to hear the magical words of joining him as his new running mate. Eventually the President realized he was playing golf within the hour at the prestigious Bull Run Country Club. So Linus Makepeace came straight out with the invitation. “I want you Lou I want you on my team”. Lou was rightly pleased and thanked the President but explained to him there’s just one thing he’d put before his country and that was Violet May. Lou said he felt honored that the President had asked him and needed to run this proposed heavy commitment past his lady wife. He and Violet May were flying out to Bermuda for a week to celebrate their wedding anniversary. He asked the President if they could consider his offer while they were away and give him their decision on their return. Linus Makepeace agreed but told the Governor that the next time they meet he should bring along Violet May. The two senior statesmen shook hands and parted company as friendly as friends.

Some hours later the Governor and his lady wife stepped off the plane at the airport in Bermuda. The two visitors were regular snowbirds here in Bermuda escaping the cold weather of the northeastern states whenever they could. They’ve stayed in the capital of Hamilton and the town of St George that claims to have been the first English town in the New World, but their favorite spot is Elbow Beach. This is where their taxi is taking them on their special wedding anniversary of thirty years. The hotel there is probably the best and most luxurious on the sub tropical island. Lou and Violet May Taylor have reserved a beachfront suite something, which they’re very familiar with. It has exposed roof-beams that support a high vaulted ceiling, suspended ceiling fans with louvered doors all colored white. Their view is a garden decorated with palm trees that leads to pink sands and a blue ocean, advertised as having a ‘peaceful ambience and level of privacy’. At long last, the couple was pleased to arrive and Governor Lou Taylor tipped the bellhop that dropped off their luggage. Finally they could relax. “Gee I don’t remember that guy”, said Lou.

“No I don’t either” said Violet May. “He must be new, very suave”.

Meanwhile Eddie Novak was on his drive cleaning his Ford Taurus Sedan. He wasn’t keen on the color, Kodiak Brown but he’d gotten a good deal at the time. He was trying to hurry, he needed to pick up a suit from the dry cleaners and he realized they would be closing soon. It was then he felt that ray of sunshine Laura came out of the house. “Hey Dad, rinse off the car and I’ll pick up that suit for you” said Laura.

“Great I’ll be making dinner while you’re out”.

Laura surely did look like summer herself wearing her favorite yellow top, blue jeans and daisy flower necklace. She drove into town clutching the garment ticket in one hand and the steering wheel in the other. When she arrived at the small shopping mall there was one space right outside the dry cleaners. She opened the door. Ughhh, right beside her on the ground was a horrible looking, squashed White-Throated Sparrow. Not a pretty sight and Laura thought that could be quite distressing to younger eyes. Carefully stepping past the bird she went in the store to collect her Dad’s suit.

Violet May and Lou Taylor strolled down to Stevie’s Bistro for a grilled seafood platter. They love the British Island of Bermuda, which is really a group of islands off the coast of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean. The language is English but they use the American Dollar. The Governor always says it’s good to get away from the ‘political jungle’. Here they’re having a romantic dinner under the stars listening to the rolling waves only a few yards away.

Laura laid her father’s suit on the rear seat, side stepping the dead bird she climbed in behind the wheel. By now she had found her appetite and is looking forward to her Dad’s culinary skills. Eddie’s culinary skills were honed after her Mother left.

Violet May and her Governor husband now very tired made their way back to their beachside villa where they were looking forward to crashing in their king-size bed.

Laura was waiting at the lights. The color was green and she stepped on the gas. There was a bang, a sudden jolt and Laura lost control of the steering! In an instant Laura knew she had a blowout. The Sedan careered off the road and immediately struck a cement billboard post. The crisp, steam iron suit was on the floor and Laura’s last breath of life had just expired.

The next morning Lou Taylor stirred, he reached out to put his arm around Violet May. His hand felt wet. Still half asleep, he rubbed his thumb against his first two fingers and brought his hand to his face. Opening one eye, he saw blood on his hand. Violet May was still so Lou shook her. There was no movement “Violet May”, shouted Lou. Grabbing her arm he shook her again, her head slumped from the pillow. Lou screamed with horror, climbing up on to his own pillow and fell back off the bed. Violet May had had her throat cut like a piece of halal meat her blood drained from her body.