Read Online Detective Danny Cavanaugh 01 - The Brink by Mark Fadden - Free Book Online
Authors: Mark Fadden
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something?”
Simon cleared his throat, signaling to Jack that he had this one. “Actually, they’re fishing for a scoop. News of the president canceling the State of the Union would get them licking their chops for more information on what we’re thinking about this event and terrorism in general.” Harry pursed his lips as he nodded. He didn’t think like Simon and Jack did. Inside the White House, it was all about the message, working the words. That’s why Jack had instructed Vanessa even before he took office to interrupt whatever he was doing when any of the news outlets had their panties in a twist.
“Maybe we need to start some folks thinking about the consequences of moving the State of the Union,” Simon said. “This attack is awfully close, Mr. President.”
“Absolutely not. There are too many important items on the docket. The American people have waited long enough for their new leader to tell them what the hell their government will do to earn its keep for the foreseeable future. Increase security if you have to, have the skies over the district filled with F-16s, ring the greater metro area with the National Guard for all I care, but the State of the Union will proceed as planned—with caution and vigilance.”
Jack looked at both of them. He realized that he had subconsciously ratcheted his volume up more than a few notches. “Okay,” Jack stood, signaling the end to their meeting. “Obviously this attack is top priority. Feel free to yank me from anything whenever we get something new.”
“Don’t you think we need to increase the terror alert, sir?” Harry responded as he stood.
Jack hated that useless thing. It reminded him that their government treated its citizens like two-year-olds. “Americans are intelligent, Harry. They don’t need someone to change a color to know that they need to stay on their toes. Oh, sorry. Let me rephrase. To proceed with caution and vigilance.”
Simon smiled at his boss getting comfortable with the message he had crafted. Both men responded according to White House protocol. “Yes, Mr. President.”
As Jack went for the door, Harry stopped him.
“Who are you off to charm next?”
Jack looked at him. Was he being sarcastic? The words came out flatly, but Jack had to wonder. It was obvious Harry didn’t agree with his blatant indifference to the terror alert system. Damn Harry Tharp and his twenty-seven votes.
“It’s the anniversary of the Kabwe massacre in Zambia. I invited President Mazoka here to talk about what we can do to inspire peace in their homeland. I think we need to do more than offer them some handouts with terror swatches on it. Wouldn’t you agree, Harry?”
Harry ducked his chin into his chest. “Of course, Mr. President.”
Jack went for the door again, but this time he stood there, holding it open. Harry glanced at Simon, who offered only a cocked eyebrow. Harry practically ran out the open door.
Jack closed the door behind him and returned to his seat at the head of the sitting area. Simon stood still. He waited the requisite thirty seconds that he always did after someone left the Oval before speaking candidly.
“What an asshole,” Simon said on his way back to his seat on the couch. “If it wasn’t for Florida …”
Jack smirked, but then his expression quickly dissolved from his face. “What’s our friend’s status with his project?” The coded language about how a National Archives conservator was proceeding with his examination of the lost Constitution article and the accompanying letter, which was running past six hours now, sounded like Tony Soprano talking over a public phone line. But Jack didn’t yet know if the walls in the Oval Office had ears or not.
“He’s finished and taking full advantage of being sequestered in the residence, sir.”
Jack didn’t know what Simon meant by ‘taking full advantage’, and right now he didn’t care. “What’s his conclusion?”
Simon’s face
Simon cleared his throat, signaling to Jack that he had this one. “Actually, they’re fishing for a scoop. News of the president canceling the State of the Union would get them licking their chops for more information on what we’re thinking about this event and terrorism in general.” Harry pursed his lips as he nodded. He didn’t think like Simon and Jack did. Inside the White House, it was all about the message, working the words. That’s why Jack had instructed Vanessa even before he took office to interrupt whatever he was doing when any of the news outlets had their panties in a twist.
“Maybe we need to start some folks thinking about the consequences of moving the State of the Union,” Simon said. “This attack is awfully close, Mr. President.”
“Absolutely not. There are too many important items on the docket. The American people have waited long enough for their new leader to tell them what the hell their government will do to earn its keep for the foreseeable future. Increase security if you have to, have the skies over the district filled with F-16s, ring the greater metro area with the National Guard for all I care, but the State of the Union will proceed as planned—with caution and vigilance.”
Jack looked at both of them. He realized that he had subconsciously ratcheted his volume up more than a few notches. “Okay,” Jack stood, signaling the end to their meeting. “Obviously this attack is top priority. Feel free to yank me from anything whenever we get something new.”
“Don’t you think we need to increase the terror alert, sir?” Harry responded as he stood.
Jack hated that useless thing. It reminded him that their government treated its citizens like two-year-olds. “Americans are intelligent, Harry. They don’t need someone to change a color to know that they need to stay on their toes. Oh, sorry. Let me rephrase. To proceed with caution and vigilance.”
Simon smiled at his boss getting comfortable with the message he had crafted. Both men responded according to White House protocol. “Yes, Mr. President.”
As Jack went for the door, Harry stopped him.
“Who are you off to charm next?”
Jack looked at him. Was he being sarcastic? The words came out flatly, but Jack had to wonder. It was obvious Harry didn’t agree with his blatant indifference to the terror alert system. Damn Harry Tharp and his twenty-seven votes.
“It’s the anniversary of the Kabwe massacre in Zambia. I invited President Mazoka here to talk about what we can do to inspire peace in their homeland. I think we need to do more than offer them some handouts with terror swatches on it. Wouldn’t you agree, Harry?”
Harry ducked his chin into his chest. “Of course, Mr. President.”
Jack went for the door again, but this time he stood there, holding it open. Harry glanced at Simon, who offered only a cocked eyebrow. Harry practically ran out the open door.
Jack closed the door behind him and returned to his seat at the head of the sitting area. Simon stood still. He waited the requisite thirty seconds that he always did after someone left the Oval before speaking candidly.
“What an asshole,” Simon said on his way back to his seat on the couch. “If it wasn’t for Florida …”
Jack smirked, but then his expression quickly dissolved from his face. “What’s our friend’s status with his project?” The coded language about how a National Archives conservator was proceeding with his examination of the lost Constitution article and the accompanying letter, which was running past six hours now, sounded like Tony Soprano talking over a public phone line. But Jack didn’t yet know if the walls in the Oval Office had ears or not.
“He’s finished and taking full advantage of being sequestered in the residence, sir.”
Jack didn’t know what Simon meant by ‘taking full advantage’, and right now he didn’t care. “What’s his conclusion?”
Simon’s face
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