Free Consigning Fate by Jacqueline Druga Page B

time.
    Tim Doyle, who was aware of the pending war, was informed about Hadley. Danny and Frank brainstormed before the town information gathering, getting together facts on what would be said.
    They would explain the new structure of the way things would be run,
    Danny would talk of the war, and what facts he had, and then he would talk about George.
    There was one point everyone agreed upon, that one person should be in charge of handling George, and since Elliott Ryder was the Secretary of State of sorts, he would be the one.
    “Elliott, you agreed,” Hal told him as they walked to their own town meeting.
    “No I did not. I agreed to be Secretary of State. A prestigious position. If history serves me right, leader to leader.”
    “It’s a new history,” Hal laid his hand on Elliott’s back as he reached for the door to the hall. “And possibly a new best friend for you.”
    Elliot grumbled.
     
    <><><><>
     
    “Got everything?” Frank spoke softly to Danny.
    Danny nodded and arranged his cards. “I have two prepared statements. I set up a microphone over there. No raising hands, they have to get in line.”
    “Who is working the PA?” Frank asked.
    “Jimmy.”
    Frank nodded. He looked around. The meeting was being held in the center of Beginnings. The podium set up on the steps of the clinic, the question answer microphone, on the bottom of the steps to Danny’s left. “It should go well,” Frank encouraged then looked at his watch. “Hopefully, fast, too. We have an hour and a half before George arrives.”
    “Housing secure?”
    “Henry’s on that now, then he’s heading off to make sure all is well with the news breaking in other towns.”
    “Looks like everyone’s starting to come.”
    “Give them five minutes,” Frank said. “Anyone not here, will have to get caught up through the Beginnings gossip channels.”
    “It may not be the same info we deliver here. I thought of that,” Danny said, pointing to a camera. “We’re filming it all.”
    From behind the camera Denny waved.
    Frank smiled. “That’s why you’re the man.”
    “I am.”
    Frank’s eyes widened, almost offensively. “That’s my line.”
    “I know.” Danny grinned.
     
    About three feet from the clinic doors, just inside the hall, Ellen stood with Dean watching the happenings with Frank and Danny.
    Ellen leaned toward Dean. “Isn’t it ironic, Martin Luther King was a minority and so is Danny.”
    Dean laughed. “Martin Luther King? What made you think of that?”
    She shrugged. “This is like a political rally.”
    “True. It is. However, I don’t think anyone is going to shoot Danny,” Dean said.
    “Do you suppose they thought anyone was going to shoot King?”
    Dean shrugged. “Possibly. Anyone in the public eye.”
    “Danny’s in the public eye.”
    “Yeah, but it’s Danny.”
    “Wasn’t Martin Luther King shot while he was standing on the steps of some hospital?”
    “I think it was a courthouse,” Dean said.
    “No.” Ellen tapped her lips. “It was a library.”
    “Are you sure?” Dean asked.
    “I think.” Ellen nodded. “He was giving a speech.”
    “Was it the ‘I had a Dream’ one?”
    “I think so. Not sure.” Ellen said, “History Repeats. A minority on the steps, giving a speech. What do you think?”
    Lars' voice interjected from behind. “I think Joe would be totally aggravated at you two. Brilliant scientific minds and ignorant to History. Martin Luther King was shot standing on a balcony at a motel.”
    “Oh.” Ellen said. “Yeah, that’s right.” She reached over and playfully smacked Dean. “Man, you should know that.”
    “I did. I forgot.”
    “Figures.”
    Lars sighed. “Can you even hear anything being said out there?”
    Ellen shook her head. “Nope. They even tested the PA, nothing. Sound proof.”
    “And you’re staying here?” Lars asked.
    Dean nodded. “We’ll find out eventually. A quiet clinic is better than a town meeting.”
    “And what if