Franklin suddenly paused and appeared to wipe a tear away from his right eye. He was a superb actor, giving an Oscar-winning performance. After a few seconds of silence, he continued.

“My father suffered from extreme mental health issues but, such was his strength of character and generosity of spirit, he kept these hidden from almost everybody in his life. The truth is, he never recovered from the death of my mother, which took place shortly after I was born. He brought me up as a single father and never considered remarrying, as the love of his life had gone. His sudden passing has made me re-evaluate my goals and values.

“As his sole heir, I automatically inherit the majority shareholding in the Franklin Corporation and will become the new CEO. I have decided I want my father’s legacy to be the ultimate gift to the American people, so I am going to pass over total control of the company to the federal government. It will take over one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and the American people will enjoy the financial and humanitarian benefits that come with that ownership.”

A spontaneous burst of applause echoed around the sports bar, which took Hembury and Vargas by complete surprise. John Franklin had found a way to put a positive spin on his father’s death.

“Now, I want to talk about my own personal future.”

Hembury was chewing on a cold fry slathered in ketchup. “Here we go.”

Franklin left another dramatic pause, big enough to drive a bus through.

“I have decided I owe it to my father’s memory to dedicate the rest of my life to the American people. Having divested myself of the corporation and handed it over to the safe hands of the nation, I now pledge to serve my country in the ultimate way.”

Once again, Franklin paused and maintained eye contact with the camera without blinking.

“I intend to be the next president of the United States.”

Pandemonium broke out in the bar as diners spontaneously stood to applaud and cheer the Republican candidate, who had just won the hearts of the whole country.

Vargas turned to Hembury, who was wearing a bemused expression on his face. “Troy, what the fuck just happened?”

Chapter Fifty-Five

1 February 2012

Los Angeles

Moments after Franklin wrapped the live press conference, Amanda Carter was on the phone to Hembury. “Well, that didn’t play out the way we expected. That man is full of bullshit. You realise his poll ratings are going to go crazy after this. He’s just donated a company, with a turnover of thirty billion dollars a year, to the American people.”