Executive orders - Tom Clancy [79]
HE DIDN'T USE his prepared speech at all, the anchorman objected. The speech had been distributed to all the news networks, and all the copies had been highlighted and excerpted already so that the reporters could repeat favored passages, so to reinforce the important things the President had to say for the viewing public. Instead the anchor had been forced to take notes, which he did badly, long past his time as a working reporter.
You're right, the commentator reluctantly agreed. Things just weren't done this way. On his monitor, Ryan was still holding the Durling children, and that was going too long as well. I guess the President decided that this was an important personal moment for them-
And it surely is, the anchorman inserted.
But Mr. Ryan's job is to govern a nation. The commentator shook his head, clearly thinking something he couldn't say quite yet: not presidential.
JACK HAD TO let go, finally. There was only hurt in their eyes now. The objective part of his mind thought that was probably good-they had to let it out-but that made it no easier to see, for children of that age weren't supposed to have such things at all. But these children did, and there was nothing to be done for it but to try, somehow, to ease the pain. He looked over at the uncles and aunts who'd accompanied them. They were weeping also, but through their tears he saw a grateful look, and that, at least, told him that he'd done something. Nodding, he turned to return to his seat. Cathy looked at him, and there were tears in her eyes, too, and though she couldn't speak, she gripped his hand. Jack saw one more example of his wife's intelligence. She'd worn no eye makeup to run from her tears. Inwardly, he smiled. He didn't like makeup, and his wife didn't really need it.
WHAT DO WE know of her?
She's a physician, an eye surgeon, actually, supposed to be a good one. He checked his notes. The American news media say that she is continuing to work at her profession despite her official duties.
And their children?
There's nothing on that, though I should be able to find out what school they attend. He saw the quizzical look and went on. If the wife will continue to do her medical work, then I would guess that the children will continue to attend the same schools.
How do you find that out?
Easily. All American news stories can be accessed by computer. Ryan has been the subject of numerous news pieces. I can find out anything I want. In fact he already had, but not information about his family. The modern age had made the life of an intelligence officer so much easier. He already knew Ryan's age, height, weight, color of hair and eyes, and much of his personal habits, favorite food and drink, the golf clubs he belonged to, all manner of trivia, none of which was trivial to a man in his line of work. He didn't have to ask what his boss was thinking. The opportunity which both had missed with all of the chiefs of state at the National Cathedral was gone forever, but it would not be the only one.
WITH ONE FINAL hymn, it was over. The soldiers returned to collect the caskets, and the procession began again in reverse. Mark and Amy collected themselves well, aided by their relatives, and followed their parents. Jack led his family just after them. Katie was mainly bored and glad to be moving. Jack Jr. was sad for the Durling kids. Sally looked worried. He'd have to talk to her about that. Down the aisle he looked closely into a number of faces, distantly surprised that the first four or five rows of them looked not