“I have a few questions.”
“I’m sure you do. But smart folks won’t have anything to say about these people.”
“I’ve been accused of a lot of things,” Jack said. “But being smart isn’t one of them.”
Erma chuckled. “Please, have a seat. Would you like some iced tea?”
“Sure.”
“Sugar?”
“No, thanks.”
She poured two glasses. “I doubt you’ll get anyone to go on the record.”
“I don’t understand. The man is running for the president of this country, he’s got to be used to questions.”
“Oh, he’s used to questions. It’s just that they need to be the right questions, coming from the right people. Since your father’s death, there’s been very little opposition here, and what little there is, gets crushed before they can get a foothold. I can tell that you aren’t part of the Lane crowd, so I’m just warning you to be careful. These are powerful people.”
“If it’s risky to speak to me, then why are you doing it?” Jack asked.
“Well, there’s nothing they can really do to hurt me anymore.” Erma said, pouring the tea. “Except, of course, to kill me. But once I’ve spoken to you that’d be a little obvious, don’t you think? In a way, speaking to the press is a sort of insurance policy. Besides, they can always claim that I’m senile.” She laughed at herself. “I’m not batty, I assure you.”
Jack grinned. “Hardly.”
“So, you’re wondering why my husband went to your father.”
“Indeed.”
“Adam and Edmund Lane had been friends for over thirty years. They made their fortunes together, always backed each other up. They were inseparable. Once Edmund had accomplished his goals in business, he became obsessed with politics, especially where his son’s concerned.”
She sipped her tea. “For years, my Adam supported Edmund and Warner. When Adam semi-retired he moved further into the world of politics, although he still sat on the boards of some local corporations. He became what the pundits call a political advisor. The fact was that Adam and Edmund had enough money and political pull to enforce their will. That’s what your father objected to. But Adam objected to abusing his power. That’s when the friction began between him and Edmund.”
Jack sipped his tea. “Go on.” Adam’s visit to his father was starting to make sense.
“Unfortunately. Adam kept most of this to himself He didn’t believe in bringing his problems home. But from what I gathered Adam felt Edmund had changed. He became power hungry and ruthless. Then, there was that plane crash with Ron Spietzer and his family. Adam was extremely distressed about it, but he refused to say why. After that, he and Edmund spent less time together. In fact, toward the end. Adam only saw Edmund at meetings for a political group they both stalled.”
“What kind of political group? What did they meet about?”
“They were secretive. I used to think that it was funny, these old men sneaking around. I don’t think Adam ever realized that I knew about the group. But I pay attention, and occasionally I’d overhear a telephone conversation, or Adam and Edmund talking on the porch after supper.”
“Why do you think they were secretive?” Jack knew Edmund liked to work in the shadows, but this seemed strange, too cloak and dagger, even for Edmund.
“I don’t follow.”
“Think hard. Maybe a conversation or a phase will come back to you. This group had to be important if Edmund and Adam founded it.”
Erma paused for a moment, tapping her index finger against her lip. “Now that I think about it, I’m sure that group caused the big fight between Adam and Edmund. It was formed in order to influence Missouri politics. But I think that changed. I know Adam wasn’t interested in going beyond the borders of Missouri, and I think Edmund wanted a national agenda. That makes sense, seeing as how he wanted Warner in the White House.”
“Do you know what they planned to do to influence politics?”
“I just assumed it would be through contributions.”
“But that wouldn’t require any secrecy.”
“I suppose not.”
“Did this group have a name?” Jack asked.
“The only thing I ever heard Adam say on the phone was the ‘Council.’ Understand, this is nothing official. You won’t find anything about them at party headquarters.”
Council! Bingo. Jack smiled. “Did you do your own investigating?”
“A little. I just wanted to make sure my Adam wasn’t unhappy at home. At times, he spent hours away. One hears of old men chasing young women. But I felt bad and confessed to Adam what I’d done. He said he was flattered that I’d think some young thing would be interested in an old geezer like him. I miss my Adam.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“You know, the living always betray the dead.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing.” Tears formed in Erma’s eyes.
Jack grasped her hand lightly. “Tell me.”
Erma sank lower into her chair. “Do you have a good soul, Mr. Rudly?”
Taken aback, Jack hesitated. “I like to believe so.”
“I hope so, too.” She looked around the room before continuing. “I was speaking of myself. You see, I’ve stayed silent since Adam’s death, and I feel my silence has betrayed him. My husband was a man of honor. And I don’t believe he died of natural causes. I believe he was viewed as an obstacle that needed to be removed.”
“Who do you think removed him? And why?”
“I don’t know, but about a week before his death, he and Edmund Lane had a serious fight.” Her voice was low.
Jack’s jaw flexed in concentration. Would Edmund Lane kill a friend? If so, as an adversary, his own father may have been in danger. No, that’s ridiculous, Lane’s a prominent businessman. And from his father’s notes it appeared Carolyn was the problem.
“Adam was so upset over the fight that he woke me up when he returned home late that night.
He didn’t give me many details, but he talked more than usual. Something about a business deal that involved Carolyn Lane.“
Carolyn? That fit.
“Also, Edmund had brought in men from Washington. Men who, Adam felt, were dangerous. He didn’t want to be associated with them. I knew Adam was referring to his political group, but he never said so. He just said that Edmund was selling his soul to the devil with these new ‘friendships.’”
Jack felt his pulse jump. “Do you know what type of business deal involved Carolyn? Could it have been with Mort Fields?”
“I wish I knew.” Erma sighed. “All I do know is my Adam wouldn’t do anything illegal. He was very principled.”
“Who were these men from Washington? And why do you think their activities were illegal?”
“I don’t know their names. Adam refused to say.” She wiped a tear off her cheek. “He said that Edmund told him, ‘If you’re not with me, you’re against me.’ Adam just kept repeating that phase. After thirty years, it crushed him that his friend would say such a thing. Adam said he just didn’t know who Edmund was anymore,” she sniffed.
“I think that’s what finally sent Adam to talk to your father. He said there was going to be a bloody feud in the party, because he wasn’t going to let the Lanes have their way. I didn’t know who the other members were, so I had no idea how bad it could be. I just knew that Edmund was powerful. He doesn’t sidestep obstacles; he bulldozes through them.” Her voice broke, but she continued. “One week later, my husband was found dead in his office.”
A bloody feud? Not too uncommon in politics. His father, however, never mentioned a fight in the party “How did he die?”
Erma shrugged. “They told me that his heart stopped. ‘It must have been his time,’ the doctor at the hospital said.”