The Nomination by William G. Tapply Read Free Book Online

“Sure,” he said. “Of course I understand.”
    â€œWe’ll be in touch with you, then.” Brody hesitated. “Congratulations, Judge.”
    â€œYes. Thank you.”
    Larrigan replaced the phone on its cradle and shivered. It was happening. It was really happening.
    He swiveled around to gaze out his window again. While he’d been on the phone with the White House, the black thunderheads had rolled off to the west, and now the afternoon sun reflected in the windows of Boston’s skyscrapers. The city looked bright and clean. Just like Tom Larrigan’s future.
    He hit the button on the intercom, and Arlene’s voice said, “I want to hear all about it. Did you talk to him?”
    â€œI can’t tell you much, but yes, he and I had a pleasant chat. For now, I want to continue the moratorium on all interviews. And—”
    â€œTom,” said Arlene, “this is me.”
    â€œI know. I’m sorry. You can probably figure it out, but I’m sworn not to say anything to anybody.”
    â€œMy God,” Arlene whispered.
    â€œOh,” said Larrigan with a chuckle, “I’m not God yet. Not by a long shot. But maybe, one of these days.” He paused. “If you utter a peep to anybody, young lady, you’ll feel God’s wrath, I promise you.”
    â€œHave I ever disappointed you?”
    â€œNever,” he said. “Anyway, I was supposed to play golf with Jonah Wright today. Call him and tell him I’ve got to cancel, please. Then you go home.”
    â€œOkay. Is—?”
    â€œI’ve just got some things to clean up here. You have a nice evening.”
    â€œYes, you too. This is very exciting.”
    â€œNot a peep,” said Larrigan.
    He waited until Arlene had left, then picked up his cell phone and called Eddie Moran.
    â€œWhat’s up?” said Moran.
    â€œI just got off the phone with the White House.”

CHAPTER 3
    E ddie Moran pecked out the number on his cell phone, wedged it between his ear and his shoulder, and lit a cigarette. The traffic on Route 1 hummed steadily past the parking lot where he was sitting in his rented Camry, most of it heading south to Islamorada, Marathon, and Key West.
    The phone rang three times, and after the voicemail recording, Moran said, “Call me,” and disconnected.
    He put the phone on the seat beside him and waited, and before he’d finished his cigarette, it rang.
    He checked the number on the screen. Larrigan. He hit the “send” button and said, “Semper fi.”
    â€œYou secure?”
    â€œOf course I’m secure.”
    â€œWhere are you?”
    â€œKey Largo.” He hesitated. “In Florida.”
    â€œI know where Key Largo is, for Christ’s sake.”
    â€œDid you know they named this place after a movie? That Bogart movie? I mean, when they made the movie, there was no place called Key Largo. So they—”
    â€œJesus Christ,” said Larrigan. “Did you find her?”
    â€œShe’s working in one of these tame dolphin places. Tourists go there and pay seventy-five bucks to swim around with the fish. Can you believe it?”
    â€œDolphins are mammals, Eddie.”
    â€œSure. Whatever.” Moran cracked the window and flipped his cigarette butt out onto the pavement. “She gives this slide show before each swim. I caught her act. She does a nice job. It was kinda interesting. Bunny always liked animals. Had cats. I remember how her place always smelled of cat shit.” Moran blinked away a drop of sweat that had dribbled into his eye. “So, anyway, yeah, I found her. She’s looking good. So now what do you want me to do?”
    On the other end of the line, Larrigan hesitated. “I’ve got to know what she remembers, how she feels,” he said, “if there’s any chance she’ll . . .”
    â€œIt’s gonna take a while. I can’t just walk up