Gnats

 231.

"The problem with both Hartaugh and Adelson is that they are such good liars you never really know anything other than what they want you to," I add to the conversation.  Julie is driving cautiously through the busy streets surrounding the architectural centerpiece of American democracy, past Nationals Park and the Anacostia River. The irony of our discourse on the blatant and corrupt deceit of a US Senator hits our consciousness like a gnat on the windshield.

"You think he, or they, will have the guts?" she tries.

"The bug or Hartaugh and Adelson?" I badda-bing, producing only an eye roll from my chauffeur.

"We need to be careful with them," she adds in a more serious tone, "Davis told me yesterday that he asked Adelson point blank if he ordered the hit. And, in case you didn't notice, Hartaugh just about shit a major league brick when you accused him of attempted murder."

"A thickly veiled accusation," I respond, "we agreed to turn up the heat and having them a little concerned that we might know more than they assume will force their hand. They will be talking, exchanging notes and directing their next moves. Furthermore, we just gave Hartaugh another talking point for his leadership role in the success of the raid AND Adelson is smelling the payoff. Of the two, I believe Adelson. The issue is, will they be patient and allow the game to play out, or let their massive egos call the shots?

"Dangerous," she says, "Nothing deadlier than a dirty politician with a wounded ego."

"Or the scoundrel partner guarding his."

"We need to be careful."

"What we need is to have the guts to do it again." I pitch.  

"Like the baseball team?"  

Pause.

"The Nats?"

We share a rim-shot guffaw and park.