“Impeachment… you’re way outta line, Governor, way outta line.”
“We think not, and we think it’s you that’s out of line here, and we’re going to do something about it.”
“For a start, Governor, there is no offence here, not in what you suggest… no treason, no bribery, no crime or misdemeanour of any type, so your move is dead in the wat…”
“You don’t define the offence, Mister President. That’s defined by Congress, and the part of Congress I represent is minded to impeach you on the counts I have stated.”
Truman remained silent, his brain working overtime on his next move.
One suggested itself, and he quickly debated the matter, arriving at an unpalatable conclusion.
“Governor Dewey, I want you to listen to me.”
“Won’t do any good, Mister President. We’re decided. We implement the process as soon as we…”
“Listen to me good now, Governor Dewey. There will be no impeachment, and I’ll tell you why.”
Truman sucked in a lung full of air and made his play.
“What I tell you now is absolutely top secret and cannot be divulged to anyone. Am I absolutely clear on that point?”
Dewey’s silence was deafening, but Truman waited.
“You are clear, Sir.”
“I want your word on it, Thomas.”
“Sir…”
“Your word or you can do your worst.”
Silence.
“I will not divulge any secret matter you inform me of in this conversation, Mister President. You have my word on it.”
“Thank you, Thomas. Now, this is for your ears only.
He listened as Dewey asked to have the room to himself and waited until Dewey confirmed he was on his own.
Truman coughed lightly.
“The Allies are presently preparing retaliatory strikes with weapons in kind, which will be available should the circumstances be favourable, and the need arise.”
“We’ve heard rumours, but that’s not good enough, Mist…”
“Wait. Our preparations to use the bombs in Europe are ongoing, with training by ourselves and the British Royal Air Force being stepped up.”
“Go on, Sir.”
Truman took the plunge.
“At this moment, Secretary of State Byrnes is in a secret location, with the representatives of all major Allied nations, and with the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union, engaged in talks to bring about an end to this war.”
“I see.”
“Moreover, and I must stress the importance that this knowledge is not shared, Minister Molotov has presented a full and total apology regarding the chemical weapon attack in Germany, one to which we have responded in a conciliatory manner, in order to progress the peace talks.”
“But…”
“Thomas… they came to us… they… came… to… us… I have a chance here to turn this whole thing off.”
The silence was all-encompassing, and Truman gave the man time to understand the gravity of what he had just said.
“I understand, Mister President.”
“You want the boys home. I want the boys home. We both want to win this thing, but maybe we can’t. Maybe this is the best way to win, to establish our Alliance after a negotiated peace… a peace settlement that we can drive, given the fact that they came to us because we’ve hurt them… hurt them bad…”
“How did we hurt them, Mister President?”
“We’re not completely sure, but the suspicion is supply, and specifically fuel, Thomas.”
Governor Dewey was hooked.
“So you believe we can stop the war right now and…”
“No, not right now. We think that the military pressure should be maintained, lest they forget what brought them to the table in the first place.”
“I can see that, Sir. I understand that. But, in the end, we can end this quickly, and restore a great deal of Europe to the way it was?”
“Sure. We intend to negotiate a ceasefire and defined lines, staged withdrawals and adjustments to controlled territories, and we will be able to drive that because…”
“…because they came to us.”
“Indeed, Thomas.”
“Sir, you know I have a problem with this.”
“Yep. You can’t tell anyone what I just told you.”
“And I have to quieten down a baying pack of governors, senators, and congressmen, just by saying ‘trust me’.”
“They made you leader, Thomas, so lead them. I need to concentrate on this. If you still want to impeach me when it’s done, feel free. I’ll stand my own corner. But for now…”
“For now, I will make it go away, but I caution that the process cannot be infinite, Mister President.”
“I don’t know how long it will be, but you’ll be kept informed by my office. I’ll leave instructions on the matter. Contact them at any time, Thomas.”
“Mister President, good evening, and thank you for your candour and confidence.”
“Thank you for your call, Thomas. Good evening.”
The phones went silent.
Senators Mead and Wagner had heard Dewey’s end of the conversation, and were keen to hear the other side as soon as possible.
“No, I gave the President my word.”
“So, what’s occurring, Tom?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
Both senators spoke the word incredulously.
“Nothing. We sit on our hands for a while. Things are simply not as they seemed.”
“Such as, Tom?”
“I cannot tell you, Bob. I will not tell you, Bob. Everyone is just going to have to trust me on this one, and if they don’t, we could foul up a huge chance to bring the boys home.”
Wagner nodded, but Mead nodded and laughed.
“You said they came to us, Tom. I can work it out from there.”
Dewey went for his poker-face, knowing the snippet he had repeated back to Truman would be enough for Mead.
“They’re negotiating then.”
It wasn’t a question.
Chapter 171 – THE NEGOTIATIONS
The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.
The assembled dignitaries, awardees, and witnesses were hushed as the master of ceremonies announced the very first of those to be honoured.
As was tradition, the award of the Victoria Cross took precedence over all other awards.
“Lieutenant Colonel John Ramsey.”
At the mention of his name, Ramsey walked forward.
His face shone with pride, more so at his steady gait, than the moment he was about to experience.
He stopped before the King and saluted, which salute was returned impeccably by the British monarch.
“We meet again, Colonel Ramsey.”
“We do indeed, Your Majesty.”
“My sympathies at the personal sacrifice you have made for your country. I was so upset to learn of your injuries. How are you getting along, Colonel?”
“Extremely well, thank you, Sir. The medical staff have all been marvellous.”
King George VI leant forward.
“I am told your bloody-mindedness has been a fearful factor in your superb recovery, Colonel.”
Ramsey smiled.
“One uses the tools at one’s disposal, Sir.”
“Indeed one does, Colonel Ramsey. Now, we shall proceed.”
The King turned and removed the Victoria Cross from the cushion, and attached it deftly to Ramsey’s uniform.
“With the thanks of our people, and my own personal admiration, Colonel. You are a true bloody hero. But now, please, take a bloody back seat, man. Give other men a chance to earn some kudos, what?”