We the People

Sequestered high above official Washington, the two men shifted uneasily as Gertrude signaled her intent to begin. But before she could speak, Siegel silenced her by raising his finger to his lips. Then, extending his long arm to a remote switch on the credenza, he depressed a button that produced a sound of trickling water as if from a fountain. Adjusting a dial, he elevated the distinctive but non-intrusive sound to that of a rushing creek.

'Excuse me,' he said as she watched in fascination. 'Even though I'm the only one with a key to this sanctuary I'm not so foolish to believe I'm the only one with access.'

'So you've taken precautions,' she offered with an approving nod.

Siegel smiled and said, 'Precisely. What we say here, stays here.' He then explained rather smugly, We call this white noise. In case the room's been bugged since I last had it swept. The speakers are placed strategically around the room,' he said, pointing to the four corners. 'Pardon the pun, but they'll wash out any normal conversation.'

'Senator, I'm not surprised at anything you do,' she said with a deferential smile. 'I'm only disappointed I hadn't anticipated it.'

Both men laughed.

'Don't be so hard on yourself,' VanSag offered, 'you're a newcomer in town. Before long you'll be showing us tricks we never thought of.'

'Thanks for the compliment, Jersey, but I think you boys wrote the book. Now, if its's safe to proceed...,' she said, placing her purse on the table. Over the next half hour they discussed every phase of the plan with each defining their role at every key juncture. Once finished, Siegel turned off the sound machine and together, they returned to the garage.

Downstairs, the two men stood together in the shadows watching Gertrude and her escorts until they disappeared into the bright daylight.

With Higgins out of earshot, VanSag turned and asked, 'What was all that about white noise? Who the hell are you trying to kid?'

'Just wanted to set her at ease, Jersey. That's all.'

'Umph,' he snorted. 'Don't kid yourself, Bert. There was only one rattlesnake in that room and it wasn't either of us.'

'Back at the White House, beneath the high-columned portico, Gertrude stepped from the car and dropped her purse.

'I'll get it, ma'am,' an aide called.

'Don't bother,' she snapped at the approaching agent while palming the micro-tape recorder.