M. Forsythe - While Rome Was Sleeping

“He will also be asked to explain his ties with GCI and Lyle Ramsey. However, now with Lyle Ramsey dead, it complicates things a little more; he was the only tangible GCI tie we had to Coleman.”

“What about the attempt to kill Charlene and me—is he going to get away with that too?”

“I confronted him, Andrew, and like you and Harrison Carr, I can’t prove it, but he knows that I know he was behind it and that I know he was behind Kelshaw’s murder also. Unlike Carr, Coleman is very worried. I will leave it to your discretion whether or not you tell Charlene Thayer.”

Andrew thought about Olivia Coleman and Charlene’s friendship and said, “Maybe some secrets should be left alone, Neil. What about Harrison Carr and GCI? Carr used his influence to kill our Times story unveiling GCI.”

“I’m not surprised. Harrison Carr will no doubt be asked to testify before the Senate as the United States member of the GCI Board of Directors. GCI will insulate Carr and Carr will insulate GCI… it’s the way it works, Andrew.

“There are some fights that no matter how hard you try, you can’t win totally. This thing with GCI is one of them.

“The good news is that the evidence we will present regarding GCI’s use of POW’s will undoubtedly wind up before the International Court of Justice or the United Nations, eventually. I believe that when all of the information on the POW slave labor issue sees the light of day and receives the well deserved adverse publicity, GCI itself will make the necessary changes.

“Don’t worry, Andrew, the papers will get the story and then maybe you can try again, although The Washington Post and the New York Times may be the ones who initially break the story.

“Our office will continue to track and trace any reports of POW sightings; and because of Coleman, the DIA will take the brunt of the failure to do a good job of follow-up on such sightings.”

“So that’s it then, Neil, we all compromise; everybody gets a slap on the wrist and we all go home; George Kelshaw gives his life,” he paused, “For this? It stinks!”

“Yes it does, Andrew; but as for George, the information he gave us i s invaluable and I don’t believe he would have it any other way. George was a realist; it’s the world we live in and he knew that very well. All in all we haven’t done too badly considering what we’re up against.

“You know, Andrew, one of the greatest empires in history slept in the comfort of wealth and stagnation and ignored the ‘little stuff’. If you don’t pay attention to the ‘little stuff’, big stuff happens, and then its too late…, the foundation has crumbled. But the good guys still have to try, Andrew, compromises or not.”

Andrew was thoughtful then said, “You once commented that I should run for public office, maybe that’s a good plan and if I do, I think I’ll do it right here in my own back yard.”

“Not the House or Senate to start?”

“Nope, maybe someday, but I think I’ll start with the ‘little stuff’… then maybe governor.”

Breakfast at the Convent was nearly over when Charlene announced, “Sister Ruth, you have to go back to the Seamen’s Center; I know Father Ben needs you, and its time for me to go home. You have all been so good to me and so gracious to my dear friend, Olivia. I can’t thank you enough,” she spoke appreciatively to the three nuns at the table. “I don’t know what I would have done without you, Sister Cecelia, Sister Margaret and you, dear Sister Ruth.”

Sister Ruth sighed, “Yes, dear I know, we all do, that you want to go home—and yes, I must go back to work at the Center and make sure everyone is doing what should be done. You know Father Ben can get himself into so much trouble,” she said with an impish grin. “It has been lovely having you with us, dear, you brighten up our table. If you like, I’ll drive you home right after lunch, by then Sister Rose and Sister Angela will be here to say goodbye.”

As Charlene was packing, Sister Ruth called her to the phone; it was Neil Klein.

“Hello, Charlene, I’m in town for a short time and I would like you to have dinner with me tonight. I have some things to tell you. I’m staying at the Washington Athletic Club so we can meet here or somewhere else if you prefer.”

“No Neil, the WAC will be fine. What time and are we meeting alone?”

“Let’s try for 6:00 and yes, at first; if you like I will ask Andrew and Father Ben to join us for dessert, but I want some time to speak to you alone.”

Promptly at 6:00 PM Neil and Charlene were seated in the dining room at the WAC at the table where Neil had met with Andrew, Father Ben and Charlene a few weeks before.

Looking at Neil Charlene said simply, “I assume by this meeting you have some answers for me about Paul.”

He smiled at her candor, “Charlene, I promised you that if I could, I would tell you when we found out who betrayed Paul and General Chernakov. At the time I was deeply concerned about your friendship with General Coleman because,” he paused, “because I was convinced that it was he. That conviction was strengthened by Coleman’s denial of knowing George Kelshaw—the truth is that while Coleman lied about Kelshaw, it had nothing to do with the betrayal of your husband. Coleman is guilty of many other things but not the murder of Paul Thayer.

“The man responsible was a double agent working for the CIA, and in reality was Soviet KGB. He also murdered the CIA station chief at Udorn, Thailand, along with the Hmong who carried the information and Paul’s letter to George Kelshaw.

“Kelshaw was wounded in the encounter. From then on the story is one of Kelshaw’s searching and hunting this man until his own capture.” Charlene listened without interruption and then said, “Thank you…”

“Wait, Charlene, there is more that I want to say. At the time Paul was sent on the mission, we were unaware of the car bombing. The next day when it was thought that Paul Thayer was the victim, it was an easy way of explaining his sudden absence from Saigon and it protected the mission, but…,” the thought was incomplete.

“You were concerned about the body in Paul’s grave—we now believe it was an AWOL sailor who had run afoul of the military in drug trafficking and black market dealings and that in the attempt to steal the vehicle he was killed by a bomb set for your husband. What you do with this information now is entirely up to you, Charlene. I will help any way I can if you decide to exhume the body.”

She spoke tenuously, “I-I don’t know, I’ll have to think about it. Did Brad know?”

“Not for a long time as it turns out. He really believed that Paul was in that car. I’m the one that knew, Charlene, I knew almost right away; I couldn’t tell you until now.”

Charlene dabbed at her eyes and took a deep breath, her voice soft with emotion, “Thank you Neil, for at least being honest with me now. It helps me to understand Paul’s letter a little more. And thank you for telling me that it wasn’t Brad. You see, I was afraid it might have been.

“He is in serious trouble isn’t he?” she looked at Klein who nodded, yes.

“What’s going to happen to him?”

“I really don’t know, Charlene. As the inquiries unfold we’ll get a better picture,” Neil responded.

“I’m glad Olivia came to see me…,” she said softly.

Neil surmised, “I understand why. I met her on Wednesday last at George’s service; she came with my father-in-law, Dr. Kelshaw; she appeared to be a very fine and compassionate person—I was impressed.”

“She’s a special friend and will always be; Brad is fortunate to have her in his corner.”