Divide and conquer - Tom Clancy [104]
The Situation Room was a brightly lit chamber with a low ceiling, white walls, and soft, fluorescent lighting. There was a conference table in the center of the room and chairs along three of the four walls.
Computer monitors were attached to the arms of the chairs. They provided aides with up-to-the-minute information. The fourth wall was fitted with a ten-foot-long high definition TV monitor. The screen was linked to the National Reconnaissance Office. Real-time satellite images could be displayed there with magnification of objects up to three feet long. Most of these high-tech improvements were made within the last four years using over two billion dollars that had been allocated to fixing the White House recreation facilities, including the pool and tennis court. Hood and the First Lady entered through the door that was under the high-definition monitor. The chiefs of the army, navy, and air force and the commandant of the marine corps were sitting along one side of the table with their chairman. General Otis Burg, in the center. Burg was a big, barrel-chested man in his late fifties. He had a shaved head and steel gray eyes that had been hardened by war and political bureaucracy. The joint chiefs' aides were seated behind them.
Along the other side of the table were the president, the vice president, NSA head Fenwick, Chief of Staff Gable, and Deputy National Security adviser Don Roedner. Judging by their tense expressions, either it was a difficult meeting or they did not appreciate the interruption. Or both. Several members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff registered surprise to see Hood with the First Lady. So did the president. He had been in the process of rising to go into an adjoining study and talk with her. The president froze and looked from Megan to Hood, then back to Megan. The new arrivals stopped at the head of the conference table.
"What's going on?" the president asked. Hood glanced at the joint chiefs, who were a wall of impatience. He still did not know whether the frustration was with him or with the issue at hand. All he knew was that he would not have much time to present his case.
"Sir," Hood said, "there is increasing evidence that the attack on the Iranian oil rig was executed not by Azerbaijanis but by Iranians under the direction of the terrorist known as the Harpooner." The president sat back down.
"Why?" he asked.
"So that Iran could justify moving ships into the region and seize as many oil resources as possible," Hood told him.
"And risk a military showdown with the United States?" Lawrence asked.
"No, sir," Hood replied. He looked at Fenwick.
"I believe there is an agreement in place to make sure the United States does not interfere. Then, when the tensions are defused, we simply buy our oil from Teheran."
"And when was this agreement made?" the president asked.
"Yesterday, in New York," Hood said.
"Probably after many months of negotiations."
"You're referring to Jack's visit to the Iranian mission," the president said.
"Yes, sir," Hood replied.
"Mr. Fenwick was not empowered to make such a promise," the president pointed out.
"If he did make one, it would not be valid."
"It might be if you were not in office," Hood said.
"This is ridiculous!" Fenwick declared.
"I was at the Iranian mission to try and expand our intelligence resources in the Middle East. I've explained that, and I can document it. I can tell you who I met with and when."
"All part of the big lie," Hood said.
"Mr. Roedner was with me," Penwick said.
"I have the notes I made, and I'll be happy to name my contacts. What do you have, Mr. Hood?"
"The truth," he replied without hesitation.
"It's the same thing I had when you vowed to keep me from seeing the president." ' "What I vowed was to keep you from bothering the president," Fenwick insisted.
"Secret deals with Iran. The president being out of office. This isn't the truth, Mr. Hood. It's paranoia!" The vice president looked at his watch.
"Mr. President, forgive me, but we're wasting time. We need to get on with this meeting."