Deadly Purpose (eBook)

CHAPTER 2

Half a world away in the United States, on the Rhode Island seashore, Senator John Whitcomb, a US Senator from Rhode Island, and his family were relaxing at their seaside home. Senator Whitcomb was a prominent senior member of the United States Senate. He served in the Senate for over twenty years. His seniority placed him on national committees for Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs, and he is actively involved with national government agencies, including the CIA and the FBI working to combat terrorist threats to the United States. Senator Whitcomb is popular with the people throughout his state as well as the nation.

Senator Whitcomb is a distinguished man, six feet tall, of medium build; his wavy, dark hair was complemented by streaks of gray, providing an appearance of professionalism and wisdom. He was a man who radiated confidence to those around him and his calm demeanor and gentle smile were assets to his political career. After completing Harvard Law School, he entered politics and quickly found his popularity and charismatic personality carrying him into the United States Senate.

Whitcomb met his wife, Emily, while both were attending law school at Harvard. As students, they worked to organize political rallies for their chosen national party.

Emily, a tall, strikingly beautiful woman, carried herself in keeping with her position as a senator’s wife. Her long, dark hair flowed gently upon her shoulders complementing her slender and graceful figure. She was actively involved in community affairs and enjoyes the political lifestyle as much as John. Together, with their fifteen-year-old son, Richard, they lived a life dominated by politics and national affairs.

Although John’s life is filled with extensive travel and time away from home, his devotion to family was without question. He and Emily waited until later in life to start a family, having their only child, Richard. Every minute away from business, John spent with his family. Richard was life’s jewel for both John and Emily.

Richard is a young man full of life and spirit and was a younger version of his father. Like his father, he carried himself with an air of quiet confidence and a charismatic style that attracted others around him. He is popular with his peers and conveyed an attitude which defined him as a leader, not a follower. Richard enjoys being part of his father’s power and prestige as a US senator and witnessing his father’s influence over others. Although he had his father’s personality, he had his mother’s heart and spent many hours in community volunteer work alongside her.

The Senator and his family were enjoying a beautiful morning, relaxing at their estate on the Long Island seashore in the Hampton Bays with a view overlooking the Long Island Sound to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The early morning sunrise was spectacular. Brilliant rays of sunlight leaped from the horizon and skipped across the ocean as far as one’s eyes could see. The sound of ocean waves kissing the rocky shore brought with it a feeling of peace and tranquility. Senator Whitcomb sat enjoying a morning cup of coffee while reading the morning newspaper. Across from him, seated in a reclining deck chair facing the ocean, Emily was also enjoying her morning coffee. Richard stood against the wooden railing that surrounded the entire deck peering out toward the ocean’s horizon. “Look, Mother,” he said in a voice of excitement. “There are two huge naval ships headed straight for us. They are entering the sound.”

Emily slowly rose from her chair carrying her coffee cup and walking to the railing. Seeing the ships entering the sound, she said, “What an impressive sight. They give us a feeling of how great our nation truly is.”

Emily had barely completed her comment when the peace and relaxation of the morning was interrupted by one of Senator Whitcomb’s aides, who rushed onto the deck through a set of French doors that led from the house. Walking with a sense of urgency, he approached the Senator. “Sir,” he stated, thrusting a cell phone carried in his right hand toward the Senator, “I think you need to take this call. It is urgent!”

Taking the phone, Whitcomb said nothing; he simply looked at the aide with a puzzled and disturbed frown. “Senator Whitcomb,” he said, while holding the phone to his ear with his right hand. Then, a moment of silence followed, the Senator’s face flushed, and changed to a complexion of dark red as he rose from his chair and shouted into the phone, “How could this have happened? What in the hell is going on? When did this happen?” His voice intensified with anger. “Has anyone informed the President? Yes, damn it, I will be at the Pentagon in the morning.” Turning off the phone, he slammed it on a patio table in disgust. Looking at his aide standing patiently nearby, he said, “We have a national crisis that demands us to leave for Washington immediately! Make arrangements for us to leave as soon as possible!”

“Yes, sir,” The aide replied, leaving the deck and reentering the house to arrange their departure.

Standing near his father, Richard heard the entire conversation. Both he and Emily saw John’s anger clearly. “What is it dear?” Emily asked, walking toward her husband and placing a caring hand softly on his shoulder. Her elegance and grace were evident even in a time of tribulation as she attempted to console her husband.

“There has been a huge screw-up in Afghanistan,” John replied, softening his tone of voice. Regaining his seat on the deck, he sat quietly, staring out over the ocean… “It was a hell of a mistake! I don’t know how our country can escape the international wrath from this one. We have bombed a small village in Afghanistan and there are casualties of innocent men, women, and even children.” He placed his face in his hands. “Men, women, and children have died, oh my God! I have to leave for the Pentagon as soon as possible! This is catastrophic!”

Without saying another word, he dropped his hands from his face, stood from his chair, kissed Emily on the cheek, and entered the house to begin packing for his trip to the nation’s Capital. He knew this national mistake would complicate international relations, which were already strained by the US involvement in the Middle East. His greatest fear was the possibility of terrorist retaliation on US soil.

John was in his office packing official papers when Richard appeared quietly at the door. “Dad, I heard you talking. Did our country make a terrible mistake in the Middle East?”

Knowing Richard was old enough to understand what was soon to become national and international news, he stopped packing and looked up to answer. “Yes, we made a very, very bad mistake.”

“Can we correct it?” Richard asked.

“I can only hope so,” John said, looking down and gathering papers from his desk and packing his briefcase. “For all of us, I can only hope we can fix it.” Again, looking up toward Richard who remained in the doorway, John stopped his packing, walked over to his son, put his arms around him and, holding him tightly, said, “Yes, we can fix it.” Giving a light pat on Richard’s shoulder and looking into his eyes, he said, “Our nation must fix this. I don’t know how, but we must use every opportunity to make right a tragic mistake we have made. Look after your mother; I may be gone for several days. You and your mother must do whatever security agents tell you to do. I will be home as soon as possible.” He gave Richard a kiss on the cheek and said, “I am proud of you and I love you.” Then he returned to his desk.

“I love you, too, Dad,” Richard responded, turning from the office door and walking away.

The morning turned to late afternoon and a strained and exhausted John Whitcomb sat in his office awaiting his aide to inform him they were ready to leave for the airport. He pondered the horror that had occurred knowing, as a new day was dawning in Afghanistan, relations between the two nations were collapsing. A knock at the office door was followed by the door slowly opening, “Sir, we are ready to leave,” said his aide.

“Thank you, I will be there in a moment.” He stood, took his briefcase in hand, left the office, entered the bedroom, grabbed his packed suitcase, and descended the staircase to the first floor where Emily and Richard were awaiting his departure. “Wish me luck,” he said, setting his suitcase and briefcase on the floor.

“Darling, please be safe,” Emily said, putting her arms around her husband.

“I will be fine,” he said, holding her tightly. “I am asking the two of you to be careful. Our mistake in the Middle East could bring about retaliation toward our country. Please, stay away from high traffic areas such as malls. I hope that we can find some resolve to this in the next couple of days.” He kissed Emily, then turned to Richard. “I love you son. Take care of things around here. I’ll be home soon.” He gave Richard a hug and kiss on the cheek.

“I love you too, Dad,” Richard said, hugging his father.

John reached down, grabbed his cases and exited the front door to a waiting car that would take him to the airport.

By now the Afghan government had internationally condemned the attack. Anti-American protests and demonstrations erupted in Kabul and other Afghan cities. What had been a government that was supportive toward America now utilized international media to lash out in hatred against the US. Not only was there political outrage, but terrorist factions took...