Talking a mile a minute and expecting everyone to keep up, Williams yelped, "Congratulations, Bennett, my boy! You reallyslayed the dragon today. That is all anyone is talking about at the Capitol. Good for you. I always knew you would be back. Just didn't think it would take this long."
As uncomfortable as receiving compliments from Williams, as he had been from Tammi, Bennett tried the same defusing tactic again, "Well, thank you, sir, but it was all in a day's work. And my team did an incredible job helping me pull it all together."
"Don't give me that shit," screeched Williams. "I know you, remember. I know how much of yourself you threw into winning this case. And boy, it is going to pay off big for you this time."
"Well, not sure about all of that, sir. Just happy justice was served," replied Bennett, unsure where the conversation was going.
Crackling, William responded, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear you. You never were any good at taking a compliment. Humble sells better than cocky shit, so it is all good."
It might have been more than a decade since he and Williams had spoken, but it was becoming clear the more things changed, the more they stayed the same. Williams was the same old blunt ass he always was.
Choosing his words carefully, Bennett said, "Not looking to sell anything other than the truth these days, but as I said, I am glad justice was served. It was a long time coming."
At that moment, Bennett heard the noise level on the other end of the line significantly increase. William said, "Sorry, it is getting loud in here. Look, I can't really talk right now. I am in the middle of a major strategy meeting. We took a break for me to take this call, but the natives were getting restless. I called because I have something really important to run past you. How about we meet for breakfast at The Community Bakery at 7:00 AM in the morning?"
Thinking of all he needed to get done and be at the courthouse by 8:30, Bennett incredulously repeated, "7:00?”
He meant it sarcastically, as if to say there was no way he could make that work. But, Williams, being Williams, did not pick up on it.
Instead, he heard it as a confirmation of the time and replied, "Yes, see you then." Before Bennett could correct him, the line went dead.
"Well shit," said Bennett, hitting the steering wheel. Now, he was committed to a meeting he did not want or had the time for. And all for a meeting that he was unsure what it was about.
Chapter 2
The Community Bakery
Little Rock, Arkansas
November 21, 2023
The next morning, Bennett pulled into The Community Bakery. As always, he was early. He hated being late. But Jameson still beat him there. His 1979 gray Braum Cadillac was parked out front in all its glory. Williams had driven the car for as long as Bennett had known him. It was as much of an institution as the old man himself. He stood no more than 5'7 and was as wide as he was tall. Yet, he could fill a room better than men twice his size.
Walking in, Bennett spotted Williams immediately. He was sitting in his favorite booth toward the back with a good view of the front door and the bathroom. That way, the old dog could monitor all the patrons' comings and goings. Local politicians and business people frequently met at the diner for an early breakfast. More deals had been done here than any golf course or legislative offices in the Capitol. It paid to know who was here and why, which is why Williams made sure he ate breakfast here every day that he could.
Williams waved him over. The heavyset man, in his eighties, made no move to get up but did extend his hand in a firm handshake as Bennett approached his booth.
"Good morning, young man. It sure is good to see you. It feels like a month of Sundays since I last saw you. Good work yesterday. I was happy to hear you are doing so well for yourself."
Nodding, Bennett said, "Thank you, sir. Yes, it has been a while."
They quickly exchanged pleasantries, and in true Williams fashion, he got right to the point and said, "I guess you are wondering why I asked you here today."
Nodding, Bennett said, "Well, yes, I must admit I am a bit curious. I assume it has something to do with the case."
"You're right. Mighty good work was accomplished with that win. There's been a lot of buzz around the state about you."
Shocked, Bennett felt taken back, "Why? All I did was my job."
"Yes, you did, and you did it with style, grace and flair. Three things all good politicians need to succeed."
"Politicians? I am no politician. Not anymore. I am out of that game,” Bennett responded vehemently. “Or have you forgotten what happened that ended my political career?"
Bennett had been the up-and-coming politician in the country once upon a time. Years before, the sky had been the limit for him, but all that changed overnight. In many ways, he and his family were still dealing with the fallout from it all.
"No, I have not forgotten, but most voters have. The world is a different place after that damn pandemic and two divorced presidents with more dirty laundry than a boys' college dormitory. Add in a government insurrection with a ping-pong economy, and it is a whole new ballgame. After your big win against a major drug trafficking organization made front-page news, the powers that be think you are just the next man in line for the Governor's mansion. What do you say? Are you ready to throw your hat in the ring and give this another go?”
Leaning in close to Bennett so that only he could hear him, Jameson whispered, “You can’t tell anyone this, but our currentgovernor is about to be appointed to a high-level cabinet position by the new president. When that happens, we are going to have a special election in late 2025 for the governorship. You are our man.”
