Chapter 265: The World Holds Its Breath
But no matter what, the outcome could no longer be changed.
Vice President Nance Garner had originally been attending a charity event at a kindergarten when the news of the President's assassination reached him.
His benevolent expression instantly tightened.
Aside from anxiety, there was also a faint trace of relief hidden deep in his eyes.
The snowman doll he had been about to hand to the children slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. Its handsome carrot nose snapped cleanly in two.
As a representative who opposed increasing the number of Supreme Court justices, Garner naturally hoped Roosevelt would abandon his plan to strip the Supreme Court of its power.
But he had never wanted to achieve his political goal in this manner.
America needed Roosevelt.
The world needed Roosevelt.
At that moment, Garner stood like a statue frozen in the crowd. Only the twitching corner of his eye proved that he had not been turned to stone.
"Mr. Vice President, the Secretary of War has arrived at the White House. He hopes to meet with you as soon as possible so comprehensive preparations can be made."
The secretary's soft call dragged Garner out of his daze.
He nodded, then began walking quickly, almost jogging.
"I understand."
After a brief pause, he asked, "Has the assassin's identity been confirmed?"
"The known information indicates that the assassin is a Mexican man. Specific details are still being verified."
The secretary followed closely behind him.
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation claims they will place the complete information regarding the assassin on your desk within two days."
As he reported, the secretary got into the driver's seat and started the car, heading toward the White House.
"What is the President's current condition?"
After a moment of silence, Garner pressed for an answer.
"The situation is not optimistic."
The secretary's voice lowered.
"The doctors say the bullet struck the President's chest. His chance of survival is… very low."
Garner nodded slowly.
"Suppress public opinion immediately and launch an investigation targeting the Mexican side."
His voice turned hard.
"America will not let go of any scoundrel who dares challenge the dignity of our government."
"Yes, Mr. Vice President."
The car crushed through the snow, speeding toward the White House.
Two days passed.
The news of the President's assassination could no longer be suppressed.
Every major country in the world was watching the aftermath of Roosevelt's assassination, simply because it was too important.
If Roosevelt failed to escape the Reaper's scythe, it meant that the foreign interventionist diplomacy he had begun pushing during his second term would collapse completely.
The one most concerned was undoubtedly Churchill.
After learning the news relayed by the British diplomat stationed in America, Churchill prayed to God almost day and night.
In his eyes, Roosevelt's life was equivalent to Britain's continuation.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the English Channel, Jörg also learned part of the news from Dawes's residence.
Although an enormous burden had been lifted from his heart, he still maintained a mournful demeanor on the surface.
Dawes, by contrast, seemed rather indifferent.
In fact, he was somewhat pleased inwardly.
If something truly happened to Roosevelt, the relationship between Germany and America would shift from being extreme to legitimate. For him personally, that was undoubtedly good news.
Just as the orbit of the Earth did not change according to human will, life and death would not alter their predetermined course because of one or two prayers.
February 2nd.
This day was destined to be remembered by everyone.
White House Office.
Garner received two reports.
One came from the hospital.
The other came from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
One was news of death.
The other was a declaration of war.
"Mr. President, based on the current evidence, the assassin crossed the border illegally."
Hoover's tone was careful.
"We have not yet found any possibility that domestic forces provided assistance. Our initial speculation is that this was his personal retaliation against the American government."
"Of course…"
He paused slightly.
"It is also possible that the Mexican government secretly dispatched him."
Facing Hoover's report, Garner shook his head violently.
"A personal act?"
"Can an individual wear a high-end suit and overcoat? Can an individual obtain identification nearly identical to real documents?"
"Can an individual know the exact location of the President's speech in advance and hide a weapon at the venue beforehand?"
His voice rose sharply.
"This is retaliation."
"This is provocation."
"This is a declaration of war from one nation against another."
"Keep investigating."
Garner stared at Hoover with cold eyes.
"Where are your Federal Bureau of Investigation spies deployed in Mexico?"
"If you cannot produce substantive evidence soon, then you, Hoover, and your entire pile of useless subordinates can all get out."
Sensing that the President was truly on the verge of fury, Hoover tactfully withdrew from the office.
Only after leaving the White House and getting into his luxury car did he finally let out a breath of relief.
His secretary quickly leaned over and reported, "Director, Mr. Merson of [American Forward] wanted to meet with you regarding his detention, and I rejected him on your behalf."
"Rejected him?"
Hoover's face changed at once.
"Did I tell you to reject him?"
He cursed under his breath.
"What an idiot. Find a time to let him out."
The secretary hesitated.
"But Director, Merson was detained and investigated by order of the President himself. We…"
Before he could finish, Hoover exhaled a smoke ring.
A hint of disdain flashed through his eyes.
"President?"
"Which President?"
"That damned opinion peddler Merson has leverage over me. This Imperial Eagle car was his gift to me."
Hoover glanced at him coldly.
"Do I need to explain further?"
The secretary nodded repeatedly.
"I understand, Director."
Inside the White House office, Garner held his head in his hands.
His outburst at Hoover had been half real and half false.
He was not foolish enough to believe that the Mexicans were truly that resourceful.
The assassination definitely had help from domestic forces.
He could certainly continue the investigation.
But the cost of doing so would be enormous, so enormous that it might require a civil war to settle.
Roosevelt could maintain the conflict between isolationists and progressives.
He could suppress the government and the Army.
But with his death, all those delicate balances had shattered.
Corporations were retaliating, demanding a reduction in minimum wages.
Isolationism was roaring, demanding that America remain isolated from overseas affairs.
The Army and the military-industrial complex were already popping champagne after hearing that Mexicans were responsible.
Compared with the deadly cost of fighting Germany, going to war with a non-threatening Mexico was no different from picking money off the ground.
"Mr. President, the State Department is asking whether you want to retract the prepared speech condemning Germany."
After a moment of silence, Garner nodded.
"Retract it."
"Also, reject the agreement prohibiting trade with Germany. We cannot afford to make more enemies now."
"With Mr. Roosevelt gone, the progressives are scattered."
"If we bring up foreign intervention now, the isolationists will use Founding Father Washington to promote the legitimacy of isolationism."
Garner's voice became heavy.
"And if we dare suppress them, they might even bring up the Civil War."
Garner was far less decisive than Roosevelt.
He only wanted to preserve everything America currently possessed and was unwilling to take the risky step of foreign intervention.
"Then… what about aid to Britain?"
Garner was silent for a moment before replying.
"Aid to Britain remains unchanged."
"But tell Britain clearly that America will only provide material support and will not intervene in European affairs."
"As long as Germany does not infringe upon American interests, we will not shed the blood of our own people for another country's war."
He slowly raised his head.
"Draft another diplomatic condemnation targeting Mexico."
"After all, this incident must have someone responsible."
.....
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