The Titanic Plan by Michael Bockman, Ron Freeman Read Free Book Online

the President would like to know about the artwork in the room,” Morgan said.
    “ Of course,” Belle answered with an enthusiastic flourish. “Isn’t it just spectacular?” She glided away from Archie with all the men’s eyes following her. “The twelve paintings on the ceiling were based on motifs from the Villa Farnesina in Rome, originally designed in the sixteenth century by Raphael for the Italian banker Angostino Chigi.” The easy grace with which Belle spoke only added to her attractiveness. Two of the most powerful men on earth listened like attentive little boys. “The ceiling was created specifically for Mr. Morgan and the constellations are astrologically significant to his life, as are the mythological stories portrayed on the panels. For instance, over the sign of Aries, Mr. Morgan’s sun sign, is Venus and Cupid.”
    “ Aren’t those the gods of love, Pierpont?” Taft said.
    Morgan grunted. Seeing her boss’s discomfort, Belle pointed to a large tapestry that hung over the library’s marble mantle. “This is my favorite piece. A sixteenth century tapestry designed by the Brussels artist Pieter Coecke van Aelst from his series of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’. This one is ‘The Triumph of Avarice’. You see winged Avarice rising from the fire. The Latin inscription on the tapestry reads, ‘As Tantalus ever thirsts in the midst of water, so the miser hungers always for wealth.’ And there’s an angel pointing to the gates to Hell. Thrilling, isn’t it, gentlemen?”
    All the men nodded. It was thrilling. Especially the way Belle talked about it.
    “ Now, Mr. President,” Morgan piped in, “shall we go to my private study for our meeting?” Morgan led the way out of East Room and across the rotunda. “With all due respect to the Captain, Mr. President, I should think we might take our meeting in private.”
    “ I’m so sorry, Archie,” Taft said. “You could wait outside with the other men. I suppose I really didn’t need you to come with me this morning.”
    Archie was as gracious as ever. “That’s all right, sir, it was a treat to experience Mr. Morgan’s library and hear Miss Greene’s very insightful commentary.”
    “ Good, at least it wasn’t a complete waste of your time.” Taft pulled out his pocket watch. “Our train for Washington is at seven. Why don’t you take the day off? See a bit of New York.”
    “ Yes. Good suggestion, sir. Thank you.”
    “ I’ll call you a cab, Captain.” Belle chimed in.
    “ Thank you, Miss Greene. But I prefer to walk. It’s such a beautiful morning.” Archie turned and saluted both men. “Mr. Morgan, Mr. President.”
    “ Let me at least escort you out, Captain,” Belle said. She touched his elbow to lead him to the rotunda doors. And it happened again – an electric charge shot through Archie’s body. Far from being uncomfortable, it was one of the more thrilling sensations he had ever felt; a warm rush that surged through him from head to toe. Belle swung the bronze doors open. Light flooded in, enveloping her. She lifted her green eyes. They glistened like emeralds catching the sunlight. “Captain Butt,” she said. “I’m sorry you are leaving so soon. I so enjoyed your Southern manner.”
    “ How did you know I was from the South?”
    “ It’s difficult to hide that accent of yours. Besides, Northern men are absolute boors next to a well-mannered Southern gentleman. When you return to New York, I’ll give you a proper tour of our library. You’ll give me a call, Captain, yes?”
    “ Most certainly, Miss Greene.”
    “ You promise now?”
    “ A soldier’s word.”
    “ Good enough then,” Belle said, holding out her hand. Archie gently took it and shuddered ever so slightly, again feeling a warm electric jolt at the touch of her skin.
     
     

CHAPTER 5
     
    L ate that cold morning of March 20th, a fire broke out at the Belasco Theater on 44th Street. A brigade of horse-drawn fire trucks raced up Fifth