M. Forsythe - While Rome Was Sleeping

“Well, I,” Charlene hesitated, “I don’t think so. I think we should just leave things as they are; you go back to your very demanding life and I‘ll work on solving the problem from here. Too much was said today to be swept away by a simple apology, Brad.”

“But, Charlene my dear, I really do want to be of help. You and Olivia and I go back too far to let this afternoon wreck our friendship. Please have dinner with me and let’s see what we can do about this very unfortunate situation.” He then added, “For Olivia’s sake.”

“No, Brad, perhaps tomorrow, but not tonight. I need some time. I’ll call you in the morning. If I do agree to see you again, it will be for Olivia’s sake.”

“Charlene, I completely understand. I have an early morning appointment, so let me call you when I get back in. Thank you for at least listening to my apology; please believe it is sincere.” He heard the phone click as she hung up. “Bitch!” he muttered.

Still angry, Charlie went to the kitchen; she would make some tea. Tea always seemed a reasonable way of calming oneself. She was having difficulty comprehending Brad’s mercurial behavior. In some ways he seemed like the same old Brad, but there was the pompousness and she had never seen him so angry before; maybe those characteristics were always there. She argued with herself as she poured the water over the tea. The phone rang once, twice; she picked it up on the third ring.

She was glad to hear Andrew’s voice. “Hi, how are you? How did your meeting with Coleman go?”

“Not too well, I’m afraid. We had a serious disagreement and he threatened me. I asked him to leave and now I’m trying to cool down.” Her voice sounded slightly shaky.

“Threatened you? How? I’m coming over!” he was alarmed and angry.

“No, no Andrew, it’s all right now. Brad just called a few minutes ago to apologize.”

“Did you accept?”

She smiled at the impatience in his voice. “No, not at first, but I listened. He mentioned our friendship and my closeness with Olivia; I told him I would sleep on it and talk with him tomorrow.”

Andrew said something inaudible. “I want to see you,” he insisted. “I want to know about this disagreement you had with Coleman.”

“Andy, I’m fine, but come if you want to. I would like to see you too and talk about today. Are you sure you have the time? Don’t you have a show?”

“Very sure, show’s recorded today. I’ll be there shortly.”

It was 4:00 when Andrew parked in front of the Thayer bungalow. He noticed her face was flushed as she opened the door.

“Come in, I made some tea; want some?” She asked. Her hand was shaking slightly as she poured a cup not waiting for him to accept.

“I guess I do,” he smiled. “Coleman really got to you didn’t he?”

“Yes, it shows doesn’t it?” she smiled gesturing for him to take a chair across the table from her, setting the tea on the table in front of him.

“A little; are you still upset?”

“Better now,” she said in a clipped phrase and then went on. “It was a strange meeting; I don’t really know what I expected Brad to do or say. But I never expected him to say the letter was phony.”

“He said it was phony?”

“Yes, but before that he asked about George Kelshaw and if he had given me anything else.”

“Such as what?” Andrew leaned forward. “Did he say what else he was asking about?”

“No, but he asked if Mr. Kelshaw had said anything else about the letter to the men who were with him when he died, you and Father Ben.

Then he said that the letter was a hoax and that I was fortunate that he had died.”

“Strange comment,” Andrew muttered. “What about the threat? How did that come about?”

“I told him that I would have the body that was in Paul’s grave exhumed and he—” She shook her head. “I’ve never seen Brad so angry! If I hadn’t been so angry myself I might have been a little frightened. But he made me so mad!”

Andrew couldn’t help smiling. He was struck by the fact that she wasn’t cowed by a top level general and held her own in the face of a threat.

“He told me that I could get hurt if I tried to exhume the body and that I would be made to look ridiculous. That I should leave well enough alone. Well, I won’t! I will find out! Anyway he called a short time later to apologize and I think he really was sincere.”

“What did he mean you could get hurt?” Andrew asked on a serious note.

“I don’t know, he didn’t say. But in fairness he really didn’t have time to explain; I told him to leave.”

“I wish I’d been here; he’d be picking himself up off the floor.”

“I don’t know, Andrew; he’s in pretty good shape,” she laughed.

“Come here.” He caught her hand and pulled her toward him.

“No, drink your tea. It will calm your nerves.” Still smiling she gently pulled her hand away.

“I don’t want any tea, and my nerves are just fine. Are you going to see him again?” He asked impatiently.

“I told him we would talk in the morning. I don’t know yet, but I am inclined to accept his apology. It could work to my advantage to do so. He said he acted in haste. I don’t really want to lose my friendship with Olivia or with Brad for that matter.”

“Okay, let’s go for a drive and talk about it, maybe find a bite to eat somewhere.”

“I’ll get my coat.” She said eagerly.

“I have an idea, let’s head over to West Seattle to the Beach Broiler and grab a bite and then go to my place.”

She looked at him quizzically. “Do you think that’s a very good idea?”

“The best,” he responded.

Thursday, September 25, 1980

Lyle Ramsey had arrived in his office at 7:30 AM shortly after Connie Porter. She had already prepared coffee and juice and made a stop at a French bakery for croissants and pastry. A side table had been set with plates, silver and napkins. Lyle was appreciative. “What would I do without you, Connie; you second guess my every need.”

She smiled, “Thank you, Mr. Ramsey, I try. I know that you and General Coleman will not wish to be disturbed, so I thought I would take care of this ahead of time. He will be here at 8:00?”

“Yes”

“Do you need anything else?”

“No, I think you have everything covered, and thank you again, Connie.” He knew she would guard their privacy faithfully.

“You are most welcome, Mr. Ramsey!” It pleased her to please Lyle.

Promptly at 8:00 AM the polished elevator doors opened and General Bradley Coleman stepped into the reception area of Ramsey & Carr. Connie greeted him and escorted him to Lyle’s private office where she poured their coffee then excused herself.

“Good morning, General. It’s good to see you again.” The two men shook hands and proceeded to take advantage of Connie’s repast.

“Let’s get down to business, Lyle. I suppose you know what I wish to discuss with you?”

“I’m sure it’s the Kelshaw matter,” Lyle replied

“That’s right,” Brad told him. “I need to hear everything that’s happened, and if you were able to acquire the merchandise since we last talked and, if not, why not?” Brad went on “Also, I want to know if we are covered on this entire matter.”

Lyle quickly brought Brad up to date on all that had happened since Kelshaw was murdered and the unsuccessful attempts to find any of Kelshaw’s personal effects. “The two who were hired to take care of Kelshaw are dead, as is their employer. There is no trail leading to me or anyone else.”

“You are certain?” Brad asked tersely.