Executive orders - Tom Clancy [420]
Wendy? Special Agent Gwendolyn Merritt was principal agent for Sally Ryan.
Chemistry exam for SHADOW in third period today. She's getting very interested in Kenny. Nice kid, needs a haircut and a new tie. She's thinking about going out for the girls' lacrosse team. A few faces winced at that revelation. How do you protect someone being chased by teenagers with sticks?
What's the family background on Master Kenny again? Price asked. Even she couldn't remember everything.
Father and mother both lawyers, tax stuff mainly.
SHADOW needs better taste, Brennan observed to general amusement around the counter. He was the joker on the crew. There is a potential threat there, Wendy.
Huh? What?
If POTUS gets the new tax laws passed, they're in the shitter.
Andrea Price made another check mark on her morning list. Don?
Today's routine is the same as usual, Introductory Crayon. I'm still not happy with the setup, Andrea. I want some more people, one more inside, and two more for overwatch on the south side, Don Russell announced. We're too exposed. We just don't have enough defensive depth there. The outer perimeter is essentially the only one, and I am not comfortable with that.
SURGEON doesn't want us to overpower the place. You have yourself and two agents inside, three for immediate backup, and one surveillance agent across the road, Price reminded him.
Andrea, I want three more. We're too exposed there, Russell repeated. His voice was reasonable and professional as ever. The family has to listen to us on professional questions.
How about I come over tomorrow afternoon to look things over again? Price asked. If I agree, then I go to the Boss.
Fine. Special Agent Russell nodded.
Any more problems with Mrs. Walker?
Sheila tried to get a petition drive started with the other Giant Steps parents-get SANDBOX out of there, that sort of thing. It turns out that Mrs. Daggett gets a lot of repeat business, and more than half the parents know the Ryans and like 'em. So, that crapped out in a hurry. You know what the only real problem is?
What's that, Don?''
He smiled. At that age-sometimes I turn around and the kids move and when I turn back I can't tell which one SANDBOX is. You know there's only two kinds of haircuts for little girls, and half the mothers there think Oshkosh is the only brand of kid's clothes.
Don, it's a woman thing, Wendy Merritt observed. If the First Toddler wears it, it has to be fashionable.
Probably the same thing with the hair, Andrea added. By the way, I forgot to tell you, Pat O'Day wants a little match with you, she told the Detail's most senior member.
The Bureau guy? Russell's eyes lit up. Where? When? Tell him to bring money, Andrea. It occurred to Russell that he was due to have some playtime of his own. He hadn't lost a pistol match in seven years-his last bout with the flu.
We all set? Price asked her senior agents.
How's the Boss doing? Altman asked.
They're keeping him pretty busy. Cutting into his sleep time.
Want me to talk to SURGEON about it? She keeps a good eye on him, Roy told her.
Well-
I know how. Gee, Dr. Ryan, is the Boss doing okay? He looked a little tired this morning Altman suggested.
The four agents exchanged looks. President-management was their most delicate duty. This President listened to his wife almost as though he were a normal husband. So why not make SURGEON into an ally? All four nodded at once.
Go with it, Price told him.
SON OF A BITCH, Colonel Hamm said inside his command track.
Surprised you, did they? General Diggs inquired delicately.
They have a ringer in there? the CO of the Blackhorse Cav wanted to know.
No, but they sprung one on me, Al. They didn't let anybody know they had IVIS training. Well, that is, I found out last night.
Nice guy, sir.
Surprises work both ways, Colonel, Diggs reminded him.
How the hell did they get the funding for that?
Their fairy god-senators, I suppose.
Visiting units didn't bring