Chapter 10 - CHARLES WHITMORE CALLS
Three weeks after Samuel returned to Virginia, Charles Whitmore requested a meeting.
Samuel nearly refused.
Then Rachel advised that hearing him might clarify why he recognized Samuel.
They met at a law office.
No restaurants.
No private clubs.
No corporate headquarters.
Whitmore entered alone except for counsel.
He looked less impressive without an aircraft cabin waiting for him.
Samuel said nothing first.
Whitmore did.
“I owe you an apology.”
“For the seat?”
“For recognizing you and saying something careless.”
“That isn’t an apology.”
Whitmore looked at his lawyer.
The lawyer did nothing.
Good lawyer.
Whitmore continued.
“I knew your name from the Kandahar review.”
“Why?”
“Your witness statement created concern.”
“Because it was false?”
“No.”
“Because it was true?”
Silence.
Samuel leaned back.
Whitmore finally said:
“The company was facing enormous exposure. People were looking for certainty.”
“I had just lost a leg.”
“I know.”
“No. You knew a name.”
That landed.
Whitmore took a breath.
“I did authorize efforts to understand which witnesses might become involved in litigation.”
“Did you order anyone to contact me?”
“I approved outreach through counsel.”
“Nobody came.”
“I know.”
“Why not?”
Whitmore looked down.
“Your medical liaison told our outside attorney that any contact had to go through formal channels. Counsel advised us to stop.”
Samuel almost smiled.
For once, bureaucracy had functioned exactly as intended.
Then he asked:
“When you saw me on the airplane, why did you say, ‘Is Barrett the one?’”
Whitmore’s answer was uglier because it was smaller than conspiracy.
“The supervisor told me there was a passenger refusing to move. I saw your name on the manifest she was holding. I recognized it.”
“That’s all?”
“Yes.”
Samuel watched him.
“Did you ask her to move me?”
“No.”
“Did you ask for first class?”
“Yes.”
“Did you care who lost the seat?”
Whitmore hesitated.
“No.”
That was the most honest answer of the meeting.
Samuel nodded.
“I believe that.”
May you like
Whitmore looked surprised.
“It doesn’t make you look better.”
