"We're not looking for a scapegoat, only the facts, which you've been most reluctant to reveal."
"I've had my reasons."
"We'll be most interested in hearing them." The intercom beeped. "Yes?"
"They're ready for you."
"On our way." Mercier motioned toward the door. "Shall we?"
They stepped into the White House cabinet room. A blue rug matched the drapes and on the north wall a portrait of Harry Truman peered from above the fireplace. The President sat at the center of a huge oval mahogany table, his back to the terrace overlooking the rose garden. Directly opposite, the vice president scratched notes on a pad. Admiral Kemper was present as was Secretary of Energy Dr.
Ronald Klein, Secretary of State Douglas Oates and the Director of Central Intelligence, Martin Brogan.
The President came over and greeted Sandecker warmly. "It's a pleasure to see you, Admiral. Please sit down and get comfortable. I believe you know everyone present."
Sandecker nodded and took a vacant chair at the end of the table. He sat alone and distant from the others.
"Now then," the President said for openers, "suppose you tell us about your mysterious Doodlebug."
Dirk Pitt's secretary, Zerri Pochinsky, walked into the computer room with a cup of coffee and a sandwich on a tray. The rims of her hazel eyes were watery. She found it difficult to accept the fact of her boss's death. The shock of losing someone so close had not fully settled about her. It would come later, she knew, when she was alone.
She found Giordino straddling a chair, his elbows and chin nestled on the backrest. He was staring at the row of inert computers.
She sat down next to him. "Your favorite," she said softly. "Pastrami on wheat."
Giordino shook his head at the sandwich but drank the coffee. The caffeine did little to relieve the frustration and anger of having had to watch Pitt and the others die while he stood helpless to prevent it.
"Why don't you go home and get some sleep," Zerri said. "Nothing can be accomplished by staying here."
Giordino spoke as if in a trance. "Pitt and I went back a long way."
"Yes, I know."
"We played high-school football together. He was the shrewdest, most unpredictable quarterback in the league."
"You forget, I've been present when you two reminisced. I can almost give you an instant replay."
Giordino turned to her and smiled. "Were we that bad?"
Zerri smiled back through her tears. "You were that bad."
A team of computer technicians came through the door. The man in charge came over to Giordino.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I have orders to break down the project and move the equipment to another section of the departments."
"Erase-the-evidence time, is it?"
"Sir?"
"Did you clear this with Dr. King?"
The man solemnly nodded his head. "Two hours ago. Before he left the building."
"Speaking of home," said Zerri. "Come along. I'll do the driving."
Obediently Giordino rose to his feet and rubbed his aching eyes. He held the door open and gestured for Zerri to exit first. He started to follow her, but suddenly stopped on the threshold.
He came within a hair of missing it. Later, he could never explain why an unfathomable urge made him turn for one final look.