Executive orders - Tom Clancy [408]
Please go on with your question, Sam.
And that gentleman said that he is who he is. Now, sir, the cat is well out of the bag, and I think my question is a legitimate one.
I haven't heard a question yet, Sam.
Is he who he says he is?
You don't need me to tell you that.
Mr. President, this event, this operation has great international significance. At some point, intelligence operations, sensitive though they may well be, have a serious effect on our foreign relations. At that point, the American people want to know what such things are all about.
Sam, I will say this one last time: I will never, not ever, discuss intelligence matters. I am here this morning to inform our citizens of a tragic and so far unexplained incident in which over a hundred people, including fourteen American citizens, have lost their lives. This government will do its utmost to determine what took place, and then to decide upon a proper course of action.
Very well, Mr. President. Do we have a one-China policy, or a two-China policy?
We have made no changes.
Might a change result from this incident?
I will not speculate on something so important as that. And now, with your permission, I have to get back to work.
Thank you, Mr. President! Jack heard on his way out the door. Just around the corner was a well-hidden gun cabinet. POTUS slammed it with his hand hard enough to rattle a few of the Uzis inside.
God damn it! he swore on the fifty-yard walk back to his office.
Mr. President? Ryan spun around. It was Robby, holding his briefcase. It seemed so out of place for an aviator to be toting one of those.
I owe you an apology, Jack said, before Robby could get another word out. Sorry I blew up.
Admiral Jackson popped his friend on the arm. Next time we play golf, it's a buck a hole, and if you're going to get mad, do it at me, not them, okay? I've seen your temper before, man. Dial it back. A commander can only get pissed in front of the troops for show-leadership technique, we call it-not for real. Yelling at staff is something else. I'm staff, Robby said. Yell at me.
Yeah, I know. Keep me posted and-
Jack?
Yeah, Rob?
You're doing fine, just keep it cool.
I'm not supposed to let people kill Americans, Robby. That's not what I'm here for. His hands balled into fists again.
Shit happens, Mr. President. If you think you can stop it all, you're just kidding yourself. And I don't have to tell you that. You're not God, Jack, but you are a pretty good guy doing a pretty good job. We'll have more information for you as soon as we can put it together.
When things settle down, how about another golf lesson?
I am yours to command. The two friends shook hands. It wasn't enough for either of them at this moment, but it had to do. Jackson headed for the door, and Ryan turned back toward his office. Mrs. Sumter! he called on the way in. Maybe a smoke would help.
SO WHAT GIVES, Mr. Secretary? Chavez asked. The three-page fax off the secure satellite link told them everything the President had. He'd let them read it, too.
I don't know, Adler admitted. Chavez, that thesis paper you told me about?
What about it, sir?
You should have waited to write it. Now you know what it's like up here. Like playing dodge ball as a kid, except it ain't a rubber ball we're trying to dodge, is it? The Secretary of State tucked his notes into his briefcase and waved to the Air Force sergeant who was supposed to look after them. He wasn't as cute as the French attendant had been.
Yes, sir?
Did Claude leave us anything?
A couple of bottles from the Loire Valley, the NCO replied, with a smile.
You want to uncork one and get some glasses out?
Cards? John Clark asked.
No, I think I'm going to have a glass or two, and then I'm going to get a little sleep. Looks like I have another trip laid on, SecState told them.
Beijing. No surprise, John thought.
It won't be Philadelphia, Scott said, as the bottle and glasses arrived. Thirty minutes later, all three men pushed their seat backs down all the way. The sergeant closed the window shades for