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

your frustration. President Burdett is completely out of touch
with what’s happening. His foreign policy is a disaster. He actually tried to
make peace with terrorist groups and nations considered to be America’s enemies
in an effort to influence gasoline prices. That failed. Our economy and
unemployment rate are worse than ever. We have militant groups wreaking havoc
on government property. President Burdett has turned the National Guard into
storm troopers. In an effort to control the militants, the National Guardsmen
are hurting innocent civilians. Well, I’m fed up, and I know you are too. I’m
fed up with the Democrats and the Republicans and their constant bickering.
They never get anything done. Two years ago, the people spoke and placed many America
First Party candidates in office. I believe that’s going to happen again on
Election Day. If I’m elected president, I promise to bring America back to the
people and not into the hands of big government, which is squashing you all like insects.”
                 Wilkins
raised a finger to attract her attention.
                 “Yes,
Charlie?”
                 “How
do you answer critics who say your candidacy is really an advertisement for the
Church of Will? Everyone knows you’re a member and you believe in our tenets.”
                 “I’m
glad you asked that, Charlie. I just want to point out that more and more
people are turning toward these tenets, as you call them, whether they know it
or not. But let me make it clear that my following the Church of Will is
personal. Past presidents had their religions. I have mine. And while the
Church gives me values to follow and practice, it doesn’t mean I’ll be bringing
the Church into the White House. That said , I refuse
to be a hypocrite. Much of what the Church teaches can be applied to the
running of a country. The Church asks its members to act on our inner Will.
Well, I’m asking the country to act on its inner Will too!”
                 Applause. Hoots and hollers.
                 Helen
smiled. She was definitely on the same page as Dana Linder. There was no
question that the woman had her vote.
                 Before
the next commercial, Wilkins said, “In the interest of fairness, I invited
President Burdett to be on the show next week, and he accepted.” The audience
greeted this statement with boos and catcalls. Wilkins held up his hands. “Now, now. Let’s be respectful, folks. The president has as
much right to be on Will You? and to speak his mind as
Dana Linder does. I look forward to welcoming him.”
                 Helen
finished her soup, drank the last sip of wine, and took the bowl and glass into
the kitchen. She’d clean up later. The recruitment center opened at seven
o’clock. One never knew who might come to Greenhill to sign up, especially
after Linder’s rousing speech.
                 She
spent a few minutes in the bathroom reapplying her makeup and brushing her long
brown hair. Yes, she was pretty. There was no reason in the world why she
couldn’t attract a decent man. Who cared if she’d had some … problems in the
past? That was exactly what it was. The past.
                 Helen
turned off the television, put on her jacket, and left the apartment. The
evening was young.
                 If
it turned out to be uneventful, tomorrow was another day.
                 FIVE
                 Roget
paid me my fee. One perk was that Roget offered me a ride on his private plane
to Rio de Janeiro. I thought that might be a nice place to visit and hunt for
work, so I took him up on it. It was also convenient, because I could bring my
briefcase on board with me. It contained my handguns. They’re AMT Hardballers , but I call them Silverballers because of the pearl handles.
                 It
was a Lear business-class jet, so the cabin was small.