Target Churchill by Warren Adler Read Free Book Online Page B

continued, “What do you think, Clemmie, of a cat and a pig going across the sea to America? Don’t worry, it will be all paid for. I’ve just been invited by President Truman to speak in some college in Missouri. And, of course, the usual honorary degree.”
    â€œMissouri?”
    â€œA backwater, I agree. But it does offer an opportunity.”
    In his mind, he was already composing what he would say.
    â€œWe could go early and spend some time with that Canadian friend. You know, that Colonel Clarke of Montreal, who has a winter home in Miami. They’ve always wanted us to visit them in Florida.”
    â€œSplendid! Do us both wonders. But I will have to forgo Missouri. Chartwell does need work, darling. After all, Chequers will be Mr. Attlee’s now.” She paused. “As for Number 10, we are now officially vacated.”
    â€œDid you leave all the silver intact?” Churchill teased.
    â€œAbsolutely. But I did take the dozen cases of Pol Roger.”
    â€œOurs or theirs?”
    â€œTheirs. I paid hard pounds for it, darling.”
    â€œFarewell to the trappings of office.”
    They giggled like teenagers, after which came a long pause. He could hear his wife’s breathing. The silence always meant a worrisome cogitation on her part.
    â€œWhat is it, darling?”
    â€œThis Missouri visit.”
    â€œWhat of it?”
    â€œI’m concerned, Winston. You no longer have the round-the-clock security afforded by the government. I have a favor to ask.”
    â€œOf course, darling.”
    â€œTake Thompson.”
    W. H. Thompson was Churchill’s personal bodyguard during his days as First Lord of the Admiralty and throughout the war. Churchill had brought him out of retirement from Scotland Yard’s Special Branch in 1939. He had served him with extraordinary efficiency, valor, and skill through many a touchy situation during the war and then retired yet again after the war. Despite the normal protection afforded a prime minister, Thompson, with his sixth sense and eagle eye and uncanny prescience, had saved his life more than once during those trying days, a fact that had been assiduously kept from the British public but not from his wife.
    â€œReally, darling. I’m no longer Prime Minister. Who would bother to want to harm this little piggy?”
    â€œGrant me the favor, darling. Allow me the peace of mind.”
    â€œClemmie, really. The West is no longer populated with armed cowboys. Besides, the President has a Secret Service detail. They will be protective of us both.”
    â€œI know all that, darling. Still….”
    â€œYou’re worrying unnecessarily,” Churchill interrupted. “There is no shooting war going on.”
    â€œPlease, darling. It’s a small favor. Besides, he knows you well, all your little eccentricities.”
    â€œNow really, Clemmie. I am a perfectly proper English gentleman—traditional and quite normal to the core.”
    â€œOf course, darling,” she giggled. “Let’s leave it at that. But do take Thompson. Please.”
    â€œWhat of the expense?” he asked shrewdly.
    Thompson would have to be paid for by the Churchills. Money was a mania with Clementine. Her grandfather, the Earl of Airlie, had left his wife for a younger woman. The resultant strained economic circumstances had forced Clementine to work as a governess to make ends meet.
    â€œHang the expense, darling. Call it an investment in our future.”
    Hearing that, Churchill knew he had lost the argument. Besides, Clementine, like him, was never one to retreat. Faced with her resolve, he knew exactly when surrender was necessary.
    â€œYour wish is my command, little pussycat. Just give me a little meow. I miss your purr.”
    They chatted briefly for a few more moments, and then parted with kisses.
    Churchill lay back in the bed. A conversation with Clemmie always lifted his spirits. He pictured her