The Book of Matthew: Adonis (Chapter 1)

“Treason?” James Brooks, The Chief of Staff to the President of the United States asked with an incredulous look on his face.

“You want to charge Joshua Lassiter, your brother, with treason?”

“I don’t want to charge him with anything,” Adam Lassiter replied as he stood, frustrated with the entire situation.

“The device was in a secure facility. He removed it without permission or notification to his superiors and released it into the hands of juveniles,” Secretary of Homeland Security Royce Davenport stated, clearly pissed.

“Need I remind you, that facility was inside your home,” James stated as he looked at Adam. “The person he gave it to was Matthew Lassiter, another brother of yours. Are you going to charge him with treason as well?”

“Let’s not forget the kidnapping of a diplomat,” President J.D. Harrison stated with a smirk.

Adam stopped pacing to glare at the President. “You are getting some kind of enjoyment out of this, aren’t you?”

J.D. laughed. “Damn right. I don’t get to laugh at many things that come through this office. A Lassiter family feud is a welcomed distraction at your expense.”

“The Lassiters have gone a little too far, this time,” Royce stated. “We have an international incident on our hands that must be resolved to Queen Ashro’s satisfaction, or we will face sanctions from Ashmere. A region we just settled down.”

Adam waived his statement off. “Akande will not issue sanctions against us.”

“Why not?” Royce countered.

“It would be the same as sanctioning Joshua and she will never do that,” Adam replied then added, “She loves him.”

James calmly interjected, “Need I remind you that you love Joshua too and you are considering charging him with treason.”

J.D. laughed, “Good point.”

Adam glared at him. “Do you always have to be so damn calm?”

“It’s a part of my charm.” J.D. chuckled as he stood, walked behind his desk then pushed the intercom on his desk. “Mrs. Langston, would you show my guests in please.”

“Yes, Mr. President,” the reply came.

“Gentlemen.” J.D. took a seat behind his desk. “I believe we need to hear all of the details before we make a decision to dismiss a loyal operative.”

James stood, walked to stand behind J.D., as the door to the Oval Office opened.

“Mr. President, the Lassiters,” Mrs. Langston stated as she stepped to the side.

“I resent the hell out of this,” Joshua Lassiter declared as she stormed through the door. He stomped over to glare nose to nose with his brother. “Ned would have never brought this to the President.”

“I’m not Ned,” Adam shouted back. “I did not bring this into the office, the news media and –  your actions did. You blew up a damn bus in the middle of a metropolitan city.”

“It was an imaginary bus!” Joshua countered.

“You want to get this under control,” James whispered to J.D.

“Hell no, I’m enjoying this,” he chuckled under his breath. “I’m sure it will be….” Before he completed his sentence, another voice was heard. 

“Sit down, before I knock some sense into both of you.” The stern voice of Sally Lassiter wasn’t loud, however it carried a big stick. Both of her sons stopped spitting at each other, then turned to her.

“I know I taught you better manners than this. You are in the office of the President of the United States. Act like you have some home training.”

The sharpness of her voice caused all the men in the room to come to attention.

“Mrs. Lassiter.” J.D. walked to her with his hand extended. “Thank you for coming.”

Sally, with her graceful air, nodded. “Thank you for advising Joe and I of the situation.”

“I am certain we will come to an acceptable solution for all involved.” Joe, father to the Lassiter gang, shook his hand.

“I am as well.” J.D. then turned. “The man of the hour. Matthew, I hope you can shed some light on the situation that will convince me not to charge your brother with treason.”

“Treason?” Joshua shouted.

“Here we go again,” James exhaled.

“What in the hell do you mean?” Joshua continued as he glared at Adam. “You’re writing this up as treason?”

Adam threw his hands in the air. “I haven’t written it up as anything…yet.” He turned back to his big brother. “Don’t push me, Joshua.”

“You’re the big man now, so you think you can take me?”

A loud whistle filled the air. All eyes turned to see Matt taking his fingers from his lips. He waited a beat then glanced at J.D. “My apology for disrespecting the protocol of your office, Mr. President. I believe if I am allowed to speak uninterrupted by the big egos in the room, you will be able to put this matter to rest. After you hear me out, I am certain, an equitable arrangement can be made to cover the cost of the bus….”

“It was an imaginary bus,” Joshua hissed.

Matt sent a glare his way, then continued. “And give you the details on how all of this came about to help with your decision. Shall we all take a seat.”

J.D. nodded. “Yes, please, let’s all take a seat.” He glared at Joshua. “Big ego, you sit over there,” -he pointed to the far side of the room, “-and try not to blow up anything.”

“Ha, ha.” Joshua smirked as he took the designated seat.

“You.” J.D. turned to Adam. “Mr. Big Brain, sit here and try not to invent anything that will cause an international incident.”

Adam sighed, then took the seat indicated.

J.D. sat in the head chair facing the two sofas with James to his right. “Here is how this meeting is going to play out. Matt will tell us the events of last week without interruption from anyone. Are we all clear?”

“Yes, Mr. President,” the room replied.

“Good.” J.D. turned. “Matt, you have the floor.” “Thank you, sir.” Matt Lassiter took a deep breath. “It all began with a gun, detention and an explosion.”