Right Hand of the Father (eBook)

Chapter One

No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy but yourself

-St. Francis of Assisi

January 6, at 2:20 pm

“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this,” Graystone remarked as he and I sat together on folding chairs. We were in a small storeroom in the sub-basement of the Capitol where I had led us in an effort to avoid the Beast. We stayed behind when most of our colleagues were taken to safety. The two of us just started helping others. After we got them on their way, I moved quickly to a specific exit I knew would lead toward a back stairwell and the security of a storeroom in the sub-basement. Unknown to me at the time, Graystone followed closely behind. Shortly after I entered the storeroom, Graystone appeared, and we quickly moved some old desks and boxes to form a barricade against the entry door.

I was amazed by Graystone’s initial remark. So, I asked, “Drew, can I call you that?” As he nodded affirmatively, I asked, “What do you mean it wasn’t supposed to happen like this?”

He flushed and answered, “I mean … what I really meant to say was I didn’t think our supporters would be so violent.”

“It sounded like you were saying there was a plan and the crowd, or the Beast as I call them, didn’t follow it.”

“Well, there was planning, and the President did invite them. But I thought it was for a peaceful demonstration at the Ellipse. That’s where we had permits for the demonstration. A few of us even had some of the demonstrators inside the Capitol yesterday. The White House said it was a VIP event and tours for big donors from the base. I didn’t see any harm and besides I didn’t have a choice.”

I thought for a minute and responded, “Obviously you weren’t a part of the inner circle that planned this assault but that isn’t for us to determine. There will be time enough to investigate the entire affair. You know the 14th Amendment has provisions to address the participation of any member of Congress in an Insurrection. I don’t think most members of Congress know or remember that feature. If they took part in planning, or the execution of this event, they won’t be able to run for public office again.” At that point Graystone sat back and seemed to freeze. I surmised he was thinking that something he had not known was going to affect his future in politics. I sensed he wasn’t sharing the scope of his involvement. My mention of this amendment and its implications seemed to stun him.

I brought him back to the present by suggesting we contact security and our families. We needed to let them know we were alright and in a safe location. Luckily my staff was working remotely that day.

“I agree. I had my staff work outside of the Capitol building today. By the way, how did you know this room was here and would be unlocked?” Graystone inquired as he fired up his cell phone.

“For some unknown reason, it’s never been locked. When I came here some years back, as a junior congressman, I found myself without much to do at lunch time. I was just getting started and not much was either asked of me, or from me. As an Independent, most of Congress didn’t know what to do with me. So, I took those lunch hours to explore the entire Capitol. Needless to say, I got to know my new home. That’s how I found this place. The first time I found it, the door was not only unlocked but someone had left it open. I looked in and then explored some more. I found a lot of old office furnishings like the framed paintings in the corner. They are actually real paintings and not the prints we all get today. I often thought of recovering some of them for my office. There are a few portraits and a number of landscape scenes of America. As you can see, there is a lot of older vintage furniture. Beyond that the history and important work conducted here made me interested in exploring all aspects of the property. I consider it sacred space, don’t you?”

Graystone smirked and replied, “I would need to know what you mean by sacred space?”

Just then my cell phone came to life.

“Yes, I’m here with Senator Graystone. No, just us and we’re located in storeroom C12 just off the main corridor in the sub-basement. Yes, we’ll remain here until you get back to us. What’s the situation? I see, I’ll let you go and keep us posted. We’ll call if we sense any potential danger.”

I hung up and turned to Graystone who was eager to hear the news which I then related to him. I told him the Capitol was under full siege by the Beast. Our instructions were to stay in the storeroom until security could come to get us. There was hand-to-hand combat in several areas. We were the last members of Congress unaccounted for. All were safely sequestered in different safe zones. I remember thinking it was good that we were not all in the same place.

He then inquired, “I see, I suppose that’s good news. Has anyone been hurt?”

I told him I didn’t know. I didn’t have time to ask. The officer who called had to get back to his commander to help support the police. At the moment they were grossly outnumbered and calling for National Guard support. So far, the President and the Pentagon have not responded to their request.

“This is a mess, isn’t it. I mean an out-of-control mob and they were really after us?” Graystone asked.

I told him they were probably not after him, and maybe not me, but I did know this was an act of domestic terrorism. It was only later that we learned the mob had a list and was seeking specific members of Congress. It now included the Vice President. They hoped they could spirit him away. If they had succeeded, it would have made our goal for the day, of ratification of the vote for the new President, close to impossible.

“Say, I’m surprised that we have cell coverage down here,” Graystone remarked.

This was his way of deflecting the conversation. I replied telling him that after the last Capitol tech upgrade, anywhere in the Capitol was now like sitting on top of a cell phone tower.

We both smiled as Graystone opened up his cell to call his family and staff to let them know he was secure. He then began to monitor the news media. It took me several attempts, but I finally got through to my wife Denise and assured her I was safe. I told her I thought I was in the best place to avoid confrontation. We had talked about my exploratory walks around the Capitol building so she knew exactly where I had gone. I then told her I needed to stay at the Capitol after we were rescued. Hopefully we would be able to reconvene when it was safe. She said she would let the rest of the family know I was alright and safe for the time being. We then shared our feelings and dismay at what had transpired. Like me she believed in what our democracy meant to the world. It was a mutual disappointment to see the behavior of our own citizens. Like always I could have talked to her forever, but I had to call others. I promised I would call often and told her to call anytime. We hoped the ordeal would be over soon. I told her I loved her and hung up. I then called my chief of staff who was also relieved to hear from me. He said he would pass the word on to the rest of the staff.

We both sat in silence for a time until Graystone spoke again.

“You were going to tell me what you meant by sacred space. By the way it looks like you are taking voracious notes on those cards and your cell.”

“Yes, I take and record notes so I can use them to help recall the details of important events.”

I then thought for a moment and told him, “In my opinion, sacred space is a term that relates to holy ground where unity and compassion reside.” I went on to add that, “I consider the Capitol space to be sacred because of the important debates, and decisions made within its walls. These were, for the most part, made in an atmosphere of respect that reflects the ascendency of democracy in our country and throughout the world.”

I remember he shook his head and replied, “I’m not sure I would consider it sanctified but certainly would agree that history has been made here. That’s why we’re here. Don’t you agree that we’re here to make history?”

My answer was that maybe what we do will become history, but I never thought of it in terms of making history. I told him that he and I simply had different points of view. I see the Capitol as a place that is unique. Members of opposing parties can come together in an atmosphere of collaboration on behalf of the people they represent. It is not to battle to the death for one side’s point of view but rather working together toward a shared result that will benefit the most citizens. That is what makes this space sacred. We leave behind our winner take all mentality for a collaborative process that leads to the greatest good. Graystone just shook his head and smiled. I don’t think he understood.

“What’s the point of view of an Independent like yourself. It’s like having no point of view, correct?” It seemed like Graystone was baiting me. I took a deep breath and responded that quite to the contrary, an independent point of view encompasses both...