The Crusader: When the New Drug Czar Aims to Get Tough He Becomes the Target

By William Aiken Jr.

Frank Haugen had reached the pinnacle of success as broadcast journalist for the top rated cable opinion news show. He forges a friendship with US Senator Hank Tupper, who has aspirations for the Presidency. Haugen uses his TV show as a platform to preach tough talk on American culture. Tupper offers him a position as Drug Czar during his campaign for the White House with a promise that he can run his department as he sees fit. After some soul searching with his family, Haugen accepts Tuppers offer. When the incumbent, Gerald Ashtor implements a policy to reduce the mass incarceration of minorities, he is ripped by Haugen for putting citizens in danger. A prisoner is released under the program and soon after kills the witness that sent him to prison and, it becomes a flashpoint for the election.

Jim Bach, Tuppers campaign manager is no fan of Haugen. After Tupper wins the White House, Bach is appointed as chief of staff and his first goal is to get rid of Haugen as Drug Czar. He conspires with a liberal TV host, Tom Kelsey, by leaking embarrassing stories to undermine Haugen. This conflict forces Tupper to choose sides between Bach and Haugen. When Haugen holds The President to his campaign promise; he gets a surprising response.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984514134

William Aiken Jr.

The Crusader is William Aikens third novel. In 2012, he released 2..Periods, a court room computer espionage thriller. 2014 saw him publish The Chosen One, an intersection of sports celebrity and drug war politics. With The Crusader, Mr. Aiken continues the theme of the tension between the drug war and American culture with this political drama, inspired by the 2016 Republican Primary. Mr. Aiken has produced several documentaries examining the drug war through a critical lens. Currently, he is the Vice President of RID (Remove Intoxicated Drivers), the nations longest serving anti-DWI organization.

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CHAPTER ONE

University of Albany

February 22, 1978

A T 11:30 PM, three drunken freshmen stumbled down the snow-covered sidewalks of their campus on the University of Albany. The snowstorm had dumped 15 inches with more on the way. A stiff wind whipped against their faces as they struggled to keep warm. They quickly entered into their dormitory and staggered up the staircase to their room on the second floor. Paul Begoni was roommates with John Wilson. Their friend Brett Johnson, visiting Begoni was prepared to spend the night on a couch.

John and Begoni had bunk beds in one room and a sitting area with a stereo, TV, and couch in the adjoining room. Two sliding windows faced a small patch of trees. The two bedrooms were rather small, yet John and Paul had maximized the cramped space to include a small refrigerator, a coffee maker and a rack holding coffee cups and glasses.

With his right hand, Brett reached into his coat pocket to break out his wooden pipe. With his left hand, he pulled out a baggy filled with an ounce of marijuana. He scooped the pipe into the baggy and tightly packed the bowl.

In a small closet, Begoni shifted through his record collection stack. He wanted to set the right mood for getting high. He found the perfect fit.

Jimi! Begoni smiled as he held up the double Hendrix album, Electric Ladyland.

Yeah man, fire that baby up! John said as he stood with his hands in front of the radiator, trying to warm up from the cold. Brett took a long toke off the pipe then his mouth covered the bowl and began blowing to give John a shotgun hit. The smoke billowed around John’s face until he coughed out loud.

Begoni set the album on the stereo player. He pulled out his record duster, squirted it with a cleanser and wiped it down. He was meticulous about keeping his records in pristine condition. He manually lifted the arm of the record player to skip the first three songs to get to his favorite track, "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return). The intro to song began quietly with a muted guitar riff followed by the matching rhythm of a double bass drum. Then the song exploded with a sudden thunderous guitar chord.

Begoni anticipated the dynamic change as the sound shot up. He cranked the volume up to enhance the explosiveness of Hendrix’s masterful guitar playing for dramatic effect. His attempt to play DJ entertained Brett and John.

Although other colleagues were sleeping at this hour, these three drunken freshmen assumed that most everyone else was up and about partying on a Friday night. One fellow student who wasn’t up was Frank Haugen, who was sound asleep.

The sudden blast of music jolted Haugen out of bed. Immediately, he realized where the disturbance was emanating from and who the culprits were. He was a light sleeper and hated it whenever something or someone awakened him. His anger from being jarred from his comfort zone was palpable.

Haugen threw on his bathrobe and poked his head out into the hallway. He wasn’t about to bang on the wall to silence the noise. He was determined to confront his adversaries and put an immediate stop to the music. The door to Begoni’s suite wasn’t locked. Haugen swung open the door and barged in, startling his fellow students.

What the fuck? Ever hear of knocking? Begoni growled.

TURN THAT CRAP OFF! When nobody instantly heeded Haugen’s demand, he took matters into his own hands. He barged into Begoni’s room, then stormed over to the stereo-player and grabbed the arm of the record player making a loud scratching sound.

You don’t touch my records! Begoni shouted, incensed by Haugen’s disregard for his property. He rushed over to the stereo and grabbed Haugen’s wrist while his two pals stood by passively.

Now you’re done. Haugen glared. He grabbed Begoni’s hand, swung him around, and then twisted his arm behind his back. Haugen was nearly a foot taller and 80 pounds heavier and quickly gained control as Begoni was marched over to the window. He continued to cuss out Haugen which had no deterrence.

In a split second, Haugen decided to toss Begoni out the window. He slammed him against the window, pulled back the sliding glass door and then hoisted him up by his collar and the seat of his pants, sending him out the window. It happened so fast, and in Begoni’s drunken state, there wasn’t time to scream as his body landed on a snow bank below. He was very fortunate that he was able to grab the ledge of the window as Haugen threw him out. His swift reaction changed the trajectory of his fall, causing him to land on his side. The heavy snow also helped to cushion his fall.

Haugen smacked his hands together up and down, and then he turned to Brett and John, who were stunned at what just happened.

Now, unless you guys want to join your pal outside, I suggest you keep the music off.

John and Brett looked at each other, contemplating if they should make a move. Neither of them did. Nor did they complain to the University. They were fearful that if they called campus security, it would draw attention that they had been smoking pot in the dorm. So they kept quiet.

Without checking to see if Begoni was injured, Haugen left the room, went right back to his room and fell back asleep.

*     *     *

The following Monday, Haugen had just returned from an early morning class when his residential Coordinator, Heather notified him that the Dean wanted to see him. He wasn’t thinking about what had transpired with Paul Begoni. As he strolled over to the administration building, he wondered why the Dean would want to see him. Then it occurred to him that Begoni probably filed a complaint. Immediately he came up with a defense for giving Begoni a one-way ride out the window.

Haugen had to wait on a couch outside the Dean’s office. Five minutes later, Dean Gordon opened the door to his office. His large bi-focal glasses, combined with his tiny head and diminutive frame projected a geeky aura. He wore a grey suit with a solid red tie. At 5'6, Dean Gordon was dwarfed in comparison Haugen’s height and athletic build.

Have a seat. Mr. Haugen and close the door behind you. He sat across from Haugen at his desk. It’s been brought to my attention that you threw one of your dorm mates, Paul Begoni, out of his second story window. What do you have to say about that?

I would say, Haugen looked directly at the Dean as he tried to get a read on his temperament, there were mitigating circumstances.

So you were defending yourself?, Dean Gordon asked with an expression of skepticism.

Yes, Haugen replied without missing a beat, my senses were being assaulted at midnight by the loud music they were playing while I was trying to sleep.

You don’t handle a situation like that by throwing someone out the window. Dean Gordon scolded, You ask them to turn it down, and if they don’t comply, you should have notified your residential coordinator. Why didn’t you take that course of action as opposed to endangering the life of a fellow student?

Well, first of all, Haugen leaned forward, Dean nobody in my dorm listens to that RC. She has no authority, and they don’t respect her. And secondly, those stoners were stinking up the entire dorm with their smoking pot. I think you should be talking to them about that.

Mr. Haugen, I don’t need you to tell me how to do my job, thank you, the Dean sneered. If in fact, they had been smoking marijuana, that in itself posed no threat to you. And it certainly didn’t justify your actions. I’m going to have to suspend you for a week.

Really?, Haugen frowned. He was stunned believing that the Dean would cut him a break given the circumstances, That’s how you’re gonna handle this! You’re not even going to bother to investigate my side of the story?

I don’t doubt your claim that Mr. Begoni may have been smoking marijuana. The Dean raised his hand to adjust his bifocals, It’s quite a common occurrence on college campuses these days. What’s unusual, Mr. Haugen is throwing someone out the window for playing loud music. I might add that you’re fortunate he wasn’t seriously injured.

So you condoning drug use on campus? Like that’s not a big deal?

This matter isn’t a question about condoning drug use, Mr. Haugen. Dean Gordon retorted, But I’ll tell what I don’t condone, students assaulting other students.

What about Begoni? Are you going to suspend him?

No, I’m not! Dean Gordon removed his bifocals and set them on his desk, As I see this scenario, he’s the victim here.

He’s the victim! Haugen was incredulous at the Dean’s reading of the situation.

Yes, Dean Gordon defiantly stated, Throwing someone out a second story window? If he were seriously injured, you would be talking with the police, right now.

So let’s just summarize what’s happening here. Haugen raised his palms up, He comes running to you, tells his side of the story and then you make-up your mind to suspend me without knowing all the facts. I gotta say, Dean-

I’ve heard enough, Mr. Haugen. The Dean cut him off.

Look! Haugen raised his voice, You suspend me, and you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to write an article in the Oracle (the University’s student newspaper) that you, Dean Gordon, condone drug use at Albany. A lot of parents read that paper, and they’ll want to know that the Dean here is looking the other way while its students are free to toke up in the dorms.

Mr. Haugen, Dean Gordon calmly replied, you can’t excuse yourself from your bad behavior by pointing to someone else’s bad behavior.

But you’re only punishing me, here. Haugen stood up, Alright, you really wanna open a can of worms over this? Haugen saw some vulnerability in Dean Gordon’s eyes. Now Dean what’s fair is fair. You have to put this situation into some context. The kid wasn’t hurt; he was disrupting the entire dorm blasting his music, and he’s always getting stoned in his suite. So I think you’d be wise to carefully pick your battles because if you suspend me over THIS, I can promise you your permissive drug policies will be on the front page of the Oracle.

Haugen thought this was a perfect moment to end the conversation. He turned around and exited the Dean’s office. The Dean didn’t offer a rebuttal as Haugen closed the door behind him. He felt confident that bringing up the use of marijuana and blaming Dean Gordon for allowing it had been a brilliant counterpunch. He went on with his scheduled classes as if he nothing happened.

*     *     *

The next day, Haugen encountered Paul Begoni as he came out of his political science class. He gave Haugen a look of disgust as they passed each other in the hallway. Then he turned around to confront him.

What the hell? Begoni frowned, I thought you were suspended?

Well…Begoni, Haugen smirked, I guess the Dean didn’t like it when I told him how you and your pals were using the dorm as your drug den.

So we smoked a little pot. So what? Big Deal! Begoni pointed his finger, You’re lucky I didn’t file an assault charge against you.

No actually, you’re lucky. Cause if you did, the cops would be visiting you and bust you for your constant dope smoking.

Haugen walked away, leaving Begoni speechless.

That shut him up. Haugen thought, both Begoni and that weasel Dean.

Haugen was back in his dorm room reflecting on the situation with Dean Gordon. The shining light of journalism enamored him. He’d gotten the Dean to reverse an unfair and unjust decision. It was all due to the Dean’s fear of being exposed in the campus newspaper. If I weren’t writing for the Oracle, he thought, he’d never have folded like a cheap camera. This is powerful. Being a journalist is what I want to do with my life; hold the powerful accountable. I’m going to be a journalist.

When he enrolled at the University of Albany as a political science major, Haugen didn’t know what he wanted to do in life. He hoped to figure it out before his graduation. Now he had a purpose. There was no ambiguity about his future. He was elated to have found his calling, and it came about in such a serendipities way.

*     *     *

CHAPTER TWO

Forty Years Later

F ROM THE SLEEK studio of Vista Network News, Frank Haugen sat behind his broadcast chair as an assistant applied last minute brush of pancake makeup to his forehead. He wore a grey suit with a powder blue tie, as he was waiting to begin an interview with the newly appointed director of the Veterans Administration. The backdrop for the set was two large bay windows offering an overview of mid-town Manhattan’s skyline.

Haugen was gearing up to record the last taped segment of his show, The Real Deal that would air that evening. The studio was located between 6th and 7th Avenue on the twelfth floor.

The first-floor entrance of the building that housed the studio had a ceiling to floor glass window that spanned 60 feet with four revolving door entry points. Upon entering, visitors were met with an enormous lobby and a two-story high ceiling. Armed security guards were positioned at the entrances and around an extended counter check-in area with escalators on both ends leading to the second level.

Haugen was reviewing his notes when the director in the console booth gave a countdown to start the taping.

Three, two, one…. The director pointed at Haugen, signaling his cue.

Good evening, Haugen announced as he confidently stared straight ahead into the camera. And thank you for tuning into the Real Deal. As I reported last week, an internal investigation of the medical care our veterans receives at VA hospitals across the country offered a troubling assessment of incompetence and mismanagement on the part of doctor and VA administrators. In dozens of cases, the report detailed how our military men and women were literary dying during their wait to be seen by a doctor. Haugen paused, then turned to the camera with a shot of his profile.

Yet, the report offered no disciplinary action to remedy this dire situation. So the same people that helped create this catastrophic mess are still running the asylum. Haugen furrowed his brow to emphasize the irony of the situation. So the Real Deal is that as long as the VA can’t fire incompetent doctors and workers, the solution to fixing this enormous problem will be further delayed.

The green screen behind Haugen posted statistics with the heading ‘Veterans who died while awaiting treatment,’ with a chart below covering a five year period that illustrated an increase in dead veterans each year.

A review of the military’s policy shows that there is a mechanism to fire inept employees; the problem is the VA has been marred by red tape and thus has failed to right this ship. After months of complaints by our soldiers going unaddressed, Sergeant Tim Chenoko was replaced by Capt. Gary Baumer, who as CEO of several large corporations has experience with righting the ship. Here now to explain the VA’s dilemma is Capt. Gary Baumer.

The camera switched to a single shot of Baumer, who was wearing his military uniform donning several medals on his jacket. He was dwarfed by Haugen who was nearly a foot taller. So this internal investigation took six months to complete, and in my opinion, there could have been immediate improvements made to the VA before the report was ever released. Why wait for six months when there was plenty of evidence of mismanagement and take steps that address the dismal care our soldiers are dealing with?

Well, Baumer replied in a relaxed tone, First of all, thank you for this opportunity. Instantly Haugen sensed Baumer wouldn’t be forthcoming to his questions, We have taken measures to increase the staff responsible for scheduling appointments and follow-up care for our men and women. We have streamlined-…

Excuse me, Mr. Baumer. Haugen cut him off, You have to explain the logic of keeping people in management who obviously aren’t up to the task; they’re cancer. As a CEO in the private sector, you’ve had to make tough decisions that included firing people on a massive scale. So far not one person has lost their job. Why not?

This problem dates back decades. With that being the case it takes time to access what the best solutions are. We have had to deal with two wars that overwhelmed the VA’s resources. We still receive new veterans that are making the first contact with us because they were never diagnosed correctly. Generally, what you have here is-…

NO! Captain, don’t give me generally. Haugen scolded him, There seems to be no sense of urgency here when the situation screams for immediate action.

Now, basically we’ve-"

NO, not basically, Haugen raised his voice. Please don’t preface your answer that way. I’m asking for specific answers that address what has prevented you from getting rid of the dead weight that’s been bringing our soldiers down and in many cases resulting in their death. Can you explain why some of the VA hospitals with the worse delays in seeing soldiers, the directors of those sites were given promotions and raises? That’s outrageous!

At the time of those promotions, Baumer continued to speak in a monotone voice and maintained his calm demeanor. If he was rattled by Haugen’s aggressive style, he didn’t show it, we didn’t have the full scope of the problem. In some cases, management that gave the promotions to facilitators were considering other factors.

If that’s true, then they ought to be canned too. Haugen took a deep breath and lowered his voice, Look, you were selected to lead the way out of this fiasco because of your background with turning corporations around by making tough decisions. So far, you’ve been at the helm for nine months.

Eight months. Baumer corrected him.

Okay, the point is, Haugen paused to take a breath to calm himself, I had gotten hundreds of E-mails from families of soldiers who still haven’t seen any improvement since you took over. Their biggest complaint they have is the deference you’ve shown to these bad apples that are still holding on to their jobs.

This isn’t the private sector, Mr. Haugen. Baumer seemed to get a bit defensive, I can’t move as quickly as I could with some of the previous corporations I was running. There are protections for VA workers that I have to respect.

The administration makes that claim quite often, and we’ve looked into some of the firings that in my view were for much lesser offenses. I mean this is a crisis, an on-going one at that and just looking at your demeanor, there seems to be no sense of urgency, here and I find that shocking.

I am committed to fixing this. It’s a priority.

Well obviously, that’s why you were brought in, Haugen frowned. Now what have you done to fix this?

I have met with the families of the veterans as well as the veterans themselves, Baumer asserted. Through those meetings, my staff has devised a plan that would better serve our soldiers.

What changes have you made, specifically? Haugen wasn’t about to let Baumer off the hook. This story touched a nerve. I’m not talking about meetings. What’s different from the day you took over?

These changes take time to implement. Baumer couldn’t wait for the interview to end. He felt that Haugen was beating a dead horse. You’re talking about a huge problem that’s been plaguing the VA for decades. Meaning, effective solutions don’t come in the form of quick fixes.

Give me one! Haugen held up his index finger, Just give one policy change that is making a difference for our veterans.

Well, I can name many, Baumer replied. First, we have streamlined the process for follow-up care, so we cut down on the waiting period. We are updating our computer systems.

None of what you just said is going to rid the military of the people who have caused and prolonged this calamity. As long as they’re still holding on to their jobs, how can you possibly move forward?

We are implementing sensitivity training so the administrators-

Sensitivity training? Haugen’s eyes widened as he interrupted his guest, Are you kidding me? You were brought in to fix a crisis and your plan is to offer sensitivity training?

That’s just one component that’s part of a very comprehensive plan.

Let me put it to you this way. Haugen stared down his guest, You’ve been briefed on the conduct of these administrators, which by all media reports has been negligent to the men and women that sacrifice so much for the country. Do you think these people deserve to keep their jobs?

Some of them absolutely deserved to be fired. Baumer agreed, But there’s a process for doing that.

If what you’re saying is your hands are tied from doing what’s necessary to rid the VA of these incompetent derelicts that exacerbated this decade’s long disaster, why haven’t you made your case to the President?

I am in communication with the President on a regular basis. But I’m not going to conduct my investigation through the media.

Mr. Baumer, not only do you have to answer to the President, you have to answer to the folks and more precisely the men and women that suffered under VA. They deserve better and you know it. I invited you here so you could articulate your strategy for fixing this disaster and give our soldiers some assurance that things will improve under your leadership. You haven’t shown my viewers or me a great deal of confidence that you are capable of getting the job done.

Well, that’s easy for you to point your finger at me when you don’t know all the facts and that my hands are tied from making your recommendations.

Let me challenge you on that. Haugen glanced down at his notes in front of him. In the past year, the VA has fired 39 of its employees for offenses like drug use and domestic violence.

When our employees are charged criminally by local law enforcement, Baumer explained, the parameters for dealing with those charges are more flexible than when the charges are internal.

That makes no sense, Haugen shook his head, that policy should be changed immediately. What are you doing to change those rules which are obviously inhibiting your ability to clean up this mess? If someone breaks the law or acts in a negligent manner, they both should be dealt with swiftly. These rules were set up to protect people who are harming our soldiers. That’s gotta change.

I agree.

Well, you haven’t come out and said that until now. Haugen was ready to make his trademark pivot from aggressive interrogation to closing on a cordial note. I hope you follow through on my concerns. There are so many heroes who are depending on you to right this ship, and you’re welcome anytime to come back to report on the progress that’s being made."

Thank You, Baumer replied with a blank expression, which indicated he had no desire or intention of coming back to be grilled by Haugen, again. He was just relieved that the interview was finally over.

Haugen removed his earpiece and took his notes from his anchor chair. A production assistant approached him.

Frank, Anita (his boss, the CEO of Vista News, Anita Moore) wants to see you. She rarely sought out Haugen immediately after his shows unless a significant screw up had occurred. Haugen wondered why she wanted to meet with him. He thought back to the different segments he had taped throughout the day and couldn’t think of any issues that could be of concern to her. Could his ratings be slipping? Moore always had always been Haugen’s most prominent supporter and rightfully so.

With Haugen’s aggressive yet civil style as an interviewer and consistent booking of intriguing guests for his show, Vista News had catapulted to the highest rated news network in prime time. But Haugen also knew that Moore was always paying close attention to details that would keep Vista News Network on top.

*     *     *

Haugen had a ritual of going back to his office to his swivel chair to decompress for five minutes. He skipped that and headed to Anita’s office. He took the elevator down to the seventh floor. He got off and walked down the long hallway where Anita’s office was located at the end. When he opened the door, Anita’s secretary, Helen, was busy typing away at her computer. Without breaking her stride or making eye contact, she greeted him.

Hi Frank, you can go right in.

Thanks, Helen, he replied.

The secretary’s area was a separate room from Anita’s office. Another office for Anita’s assistant was across from the secretary’s desk. A couch with a table with some entertainment magazines flanked the left side of the entrance. A 44 inch, flat screen TV monitor hung from the wall facing the couch. Underneath the TV monitor sat a rectangle shaped, bubbling fish tank with dozens of tiny colorful neo-tetras darting back and forth.

Anita Moore’s office was the master bedroom of offices in the building. It had its spacious bathroom with a stand-in shower. The room itself was enormous. A full conference table seating twelve chairs filled the right side. On the left side, three leather sofas surrounded an Italian antique wooden coffee table. Behind the middle sofa was a full refrigerator with a small stove and microwave. To the left of these kitchen appliances was a walk-in closet filled with 20 different business outfits and 30 pairs of shoes.

Having these luxuries and conveniences allowed Moore to work through the night when needed. She could hold business meetings in the comfort of her office. She even had her personal caterer for such occasions. All through her career, she had worked extremely hard to get to the top of her profession. Creating an office environment that was conducive to maximizing her performance as Vista New’s CEO was a priority during the negotiation of her contract.

She had decorated her office with a historical nod to the country’s history. Large paintings of America’s greatest Presidents and inventors; Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln lined the walls. Moore showcased them to acknowledge their role in helping to create the greatest nation ever. Each honorary had a small light mounted above their frame. The paintings were tastefully spaced apart from each other just like they would be on display in a museum.

The door to Anita Moore’s office was ajar; Haugen could hear she was talking on her cell phone when he poked his head in the door. Anita motioned him to come into her office. Haugen entered and stood by a chair opposite her desk. Anita Moore was a tall and slender woman of 5'10 with high heels accentuating her height.

Her dark brown hair was cut in a wispy shag style for a look she was able to pull off despite having just turned 57. The shade of her brown hair matched her sultry eyes. She wore jet black pants with a white short sleeve blouse and a red silk blazer. Her Nina Forbes high heels had tan color leather straps with an open toe.

Five times a week, she engaged in rigorous workouts that included seven different nautilus machines and an hour on the treadmill. Her biceps were toned and defined. Amid her hectic schedule, she managed to squeeze in a yoga class, to help reduce the stress of a high pressured job.

Alright, then, Anita stood up, Make sure to follow up on that as soon as they announce a date. Okay bye, now. Anita closed her cell phone. Have a seat, Frank. Her full smile revealed the top and bottom sets of her pearly whites.

Well, to what do I owe your calling?

I just watched your interview with that bureaucrat Baumer. It reminded me why I hired you when everyone else was telling me that your gruff style was a liability.

I’ll take that as a compliment. Haugen mused.

Yes, for both of us. Anita smiled as she leaned back in her leather swivel chair, And some of these government VA officials marred in scandal, are finally coming on after months of ignoring us. The success of the Real Deal is forcing them to make their case on the highest rated show. Our dominance in cable TV is a fact this administration can no longer ignore.

I’ve been hammering the President for months on this VA story. Haugen said, It was admirable for him to come on.

Well, when the Real Deal broke the VA story, you stuck with it, when the major networks hardly touched it. Then they followed our lead. We’ve been dominating the prime time slots for seven years, and our lead is growing. When Anita paused, Haugen sensed she about to utter the word but. However, those liberal pundits who dismissed this network as right-wing nut propaganda have had to face the fact that their ratings have been going into the toilet. This administration has avoided coming on to offer their side of the story. In the past several months, I see that trend changing. If they want to persuade the voters, they have to state their case on this network, here. It’s sunk in that our liberal-leaning counterparts aren’t holding anyone accountable when government screws up. They’re finally coming on to answer the tough questions. I’m proud of the work you’ve done. This is a huge turning point.

Anita’s landline phone lit up. She picked up the phone and instructed her secretary to take a message.

Well, that’s probably true, Haugen said, but I don’t expect Captain Baumer to be coming back anytime, soon.

"You were tough but fair as always. You know, more than anyone, you deserve credit for Vista’s success. I realize there are a lot of other people who were integral in that process. But you’re