Executive orders - Tom Clancy [412]
Movie Star told himself that such thoughts had come to him before, that doubts were normal to men on difficult tasks, and that each previous time he'd set them aside and gotten on with it. If the world had changed, then perhaps-
But the only changes that had taken place were contrary to his lifelong quest, and was it that having killed for nothing, he had to keep killing in the hope of achieving something? Where did that path lead? If there were a God and there were a Faith, and there were a Law, then-
Well, he had to believe in something. He checked his watch. Four more hours. He had a mission. He had to believe in that.
THEY CAME BY car instead of helicopter. Helicopters were too visible, and maybe this way nobody would notice. To make things more covert still, the cars came to the East Wing entrance. Adler, Clark, and Chavez walked into the White House the same way Jack had on his first night, hustled along by the Secret Service, and they managed to arrive unseen by the press. The Oval Office was a little crowded. Goodley and the Foleys were there, as well, along with Arnie, of course.
How's the jet lag, Scott? Jack asked first, meeting him at the door.
If it's Tuesday, it must be Washington, the Secretary of State replied.
It isn't Tuesday, Goodley observed, not getting it.
Then I guess the jet lag is pretty bad. Adler took his seat and brought out his notes. A Navy mess steward came in with coffee, the fuel of Washington. The arrivals from the UIR all had a cup.
Tell us about Daryaei, Ryan commanded.
He looks healthy. A little tired, Adler allowed. His desk is fairly clean. He spoke quietly, but he's never been one to raise his voice in public, to the best of my knowledge. Interestingly, he was getting into town about the same time we were.
Oh? Ed Foley said, looking up from some of his own notes.
Yeah, he came in on a business jet, a Gulfstream, Clark reported. Ding got a few pictures.
So, he's hopping around some? I guess that makes sense, POTUS observed. Strangely, Ryan could identify with Daryaei's problems. They weren't all that different from his own, though the Iranian's methods could hardly have been more different.
His staff's afraid of him, Chavez added impulsively. Like something from an old World War II Nazi movie. The staff in his outer office was pretty wired. If somebody had yelled 'boo,' they would have hit the ceiling.
I'd agree with that, Adler said, not vexed at the interruption. His demeanor with me was very old-world, quiet, platitudes, that sort of thing. The fact of the matter is that he said nothing of real significance-maybe good, maybe bad. He's willing to have continued contacts with us. He says he desires peace for everybody. He even hinted at a certain degree of goodwill for Israel. For a lot of the meeting, he lectured me on how peaceful he and his religion are. He emphasized the value of oil and the resulting commercial relationships for all parties involved. He denied having any territorial ambitions. No surprises in any of it.
Okay, the President said. What about body language?
He appears very confident, very secure. He likes where he is now.
As well he might. It was Ed Foley again.
Adler nodded. Agreed. If I had to describe him in one word, it would be 'serene.'
When I met him a few years ago, Jack remembered, he was aggressive, hostile, looking for enemies, that sort of thing.
None of that earlier today. SecState stopped and asked himself if it was still the same day. Probably, he decided. Like I said, serene, but then on the way back, Mr. Clark here brought something up.
What's that? Goodley asked.
It set off the metal detector. John pulled the necklace out again, and handed it to the President.
Get some shopping done?
Well, everybody wanted me to do a walkabout, he reminded his audience. What better place than a market? Clark went on to report the incident with the