Raymond Benson - 2012 - Hitman: Damnation by Raymond Benson Read Free Book Online Page A

nationwide
tidal wave. Blaming the Democrats and Republicans for excessive and endless
partisan fighting in Congress, the America First Party promised to end all
that. Already, America First Party candidates had taken many seats in the House
and Senate in the midterm elections. With the presidential election coming up
in just over a month, the pundits were predicting an upset. Burdett would lose
out on a second term, and for the first time in recent history, a
non-Republican or -Democrat would take the White House. Linder was the woman
likely to fulfill that prediction.
                 Dana
Shipley Linder was in her late thirties and had served as a representative from
Maryland. She was tall, dark-haired, and attractive. There was no question that
she was intelligent and had her finger on the pulse of America. Helen admired
her.
                 “Thank
you for coming on the show, Dana.”
                 “Charlie, all you have to do is ask, you know that. I’d do
anything for my childhood preacher,” she replied, beaming.
                 Wilkins
laughed and rolled his eyes. “Some of you may not know that, but, yes, it’s
true, when Dana and her brother, Darren, were orphaned as children, I was their
pastor and family friend. I looked out for them. I like to think I gave them
both the guidance that helped them grow into splendid adults.”
                 “You
certainly did, Charlie,” she said. “And you were so young then!”
                 He wagged a finger at her. “Now, now! I’m still young! And so are you! And that reminds me, Dana. Happy
birthday!”
                 The
audience applauded, and the candidate blushed and waved away the adulation. “ Charlie, that was a month ago. You’re a little late.”
                 “But
I haven’t seen you since. I understand you had a spectacular party.”
                 “Oh,
we did. John and the children and I threw quite the hootenanny in Towson. I’m
so sorry you were away and couldn’t make it.”
                 “I
am too. You know I would have been there if I could.” He took her hands and
held them. “Anyway, I hope it was a happy occasion.”
                 “It
was. Of course, it would have been better if … if Darren had been there.”
                 Wilkins
nodded with a sympathetic look on his face, as the audience applauded again.
Many members whistled their appreciation.
                 Helen
considered that much of Linder’s popularity was because she had a hero brother.
Darren Shipley was a marine who had died in Iraq while on an important mission
to sweep insurgents out of a building. There was a massive explosion, and
Darren perished in the flames. A savvy media reporter covered Shipley’s demise,
and the America First Party capitalized on it. The public embraced the story of
the handsome marine and his gorgeous sister, he a national hero who sacrificed
his life for his country, and she a politician who was destined to change
America.
                 It
made good politics.
                 Wilkins
continued the interview. “In another month, Americans will go to the polls to
elect our next president. I understand you have a heavy campaign schedule.”
                 Linder
nodded. “You know how it is, Charlie. As we approach the finish line, it just
gets more intense. But you know, Charlie, I have you to thank for all this.”
                 “Me?”
                 “It
was you who suggested I run for public office when I was younger. Your
influence spurred me on. And I’m going to do you proud.”
                 “That’s
a wonderful thing to hear, Dana. Is there anything you’d like to say to the
American people?”
                 “Yes,
there is.” She looked straight into the camera. “All of you out there, I know
and understand