The Hunters (Presidential Agent 3)

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HALL?

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The message would instantly appear on the screen of what was nearly universally—and not very fondly—known as the general’s IBB, meaning “Infernal Black Box.”

The IBB was in fact a laptop computer identical to Suggins’s. General Naylor always had it on the conference in front of him, situated so that the screen would be visible to no one else.

The system was effective. Whoever had the floor in the conference room would not have to stop in midsentence as Naylor’s telephone rang or Command Sergeant Major Suggins came through the door.

Naylor could read the message and quickly type his reply:

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CAN I CALL IN FIVE MINS?

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Or:

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PUT HIM THROUGH

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Or:

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CAN YOU TAKE A MESSAGE?

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Etcetera.

The regularly scheduled afternoon intelligence briefing had been in session for about five minutes when one of the telephones on Command Sergeant Major Suggins’s desk rang.

“Office of the Sink. Suggins.”

C in c was often pronounced “sink.” And “Command Sergeant Major Suggins speaking, sir” wasted time.

“Jack Iverson, Wes,” the caller announced. “I’ve got an interesting in flight advisory for your boss.”

Chief Master Sergeant Jack Iverson, USAF, was the senior noncommissioned officer of what was informally known as “the Air Force side of MacDill.” MacDill was an Air Force base. The United States Central Command was a “tenant” of MacDill Air Force Base.

“Shoot,” Suggins replied as he spun in his chair to the laptop on the credenza. His fingers flew on the keys as Iverson relayed the in flight advisory message:

* * *

FOR CINC CENTCOM

CHARLEY URGENTLY REPEAT URGENTLY REQUESTS CINC CENTCOM PERSONALLY REPEAT PERSONALLY MEET LEAR FIVE-OH-SEVEN-FIVE ON ARRIVAL MACDILL. ETA 1255. TORINE COL USAF.

* * *

“Got it, Jack. Hang on a minute.”