what does it have to do with me? I have no business or financial relationships with my stepson. If he’s guilty of anything like you’re describing, that’s his problem, not mine.”
“By the way, where is Christopher? We’ve reached out to him but can’t seem to locate him.”
“I have no idea. Like I said, his business affairs are his own and no concern of mine.”
Ryan sat back, tenting his fingers in front of a satisfied smile.
“You put on a brave face, Deborah. I think we both know what kind of political damage this will do to your presidential run, even if you are legally innocent, which, in fact, you might be. This report screams ‘Swamp’ on every page, and you and your family are neck-deep in it.”
“My husband’s affairs are his own. I file a separate tax return from his and make it public every year, and have done so for the last twenty years. I have nothing to hide. My affairs are in order.”
“Then you might want to turn to page thirty-seven of that report, where it begins to lay out the financial accounts of the Dixon-Gage Charitable Trust, something I know you’re very proud of.”
“Why shouldn’t I be? We’ve done important work for poor and disadvantaged people all around the world, not to mention our brave veterans here at home, too.”
“And Christopher has been intimately involved with your charity, hasn’t he?”
Dixon stiffened. “Yes, he has. For years. He’s told me on more than one occasion that the work he’s done there has changed his life.”
“I’m sure it has.”
“Meaning?”
“Unfortunately, Christopher was using your trust to launder his dirty money, making millions of dollars of annual contributions through thousands of fictitious donors.”
“I can’t be responsible for the origin of anonymous monies donated.”
“No. But the story doesn’t stop there. Christopher then funneled that dirty money into ‘clean’ projects, especially ones in Africa, where there is very little government oversight, and where, coincidentally, the Peng family has significant resources invested. Christopher was buying charity goods and services at exorbitant prices from shell companies that he and Peng secretly owned. All of those water wells and tractors and schools you thought the trust was building all went instead into the pockets of your son and your husband and, it turns out, at least one high-ranking official in the Chinese Communist Party.
“Even if you can prove at trial you didn’t know about any of this, you’re still going to be found guilty by association in the court of public opinion, and worse, it makes you look like an idiot or a dupe.”
Dixon’s heart rate fell. The arrogance around her Botoxed eyes faded away.
“Not exactly a winning platform for a presidential campaign,” Ryan said, just to twist the knife.
“You’ll have a hard time bringing any of this to court. I doubt it was legally obtained.”
Nice bluff, Senator. Glad I never played poker with you.
“I’m willing to take the chance. Even if we lose in court—and my AG insists we won’t—it will still ruin your reputation and take years to litigate. And we haven’t even begun really digging yet. That report just scratches the surface.”
“Well, speaking of reputations. I have evidence of my own suggesting that your son Jack, Gerry Hendley, and, by implication, you, are associated with an organization engaged in questionable activities. I’ll use my information to help launch impeachment proceedings against you.”
“The Chadwick stuff again? How’d that work out for her?”
“Chadwick is an idiot. I’m not, and you know it.”
Ryan shrugged. “Do your worst. I’m not going to be President forever, anyway.”
“A congressional investigation might determine that you and your associates are guilty of crimes for which you can be prosecuted.”
“In theory, yes, but I doubt it. But even if that were to happen, in theory, there could be a stack of presigned presidential pardons sitting in a safe somewhere, written up for just such a contingency.”
Dixon’s shoulders slumped, defeated. She stood, her voice softening.
“Well, then, there’s nothing more to be said. I agree to resign from my office if you drop all of this nonsense.”
“On what grounds would you resign?”
Dixon smiled cynically. “‘To spend more time with my family,’ of course. Isn’t that what they always say?”
“Sit down, Deborah. We’re not through yet.”
His commanding voice dropped her back onto the couch.
“It’s high time we remind ourselves in this country that nobody is above the law, especially the people who write it. That’s why I’m instructing the attorney general to prosecute your family to the fullest extent of the law possible.”
“Jack—”
“Unless you agree to