By Order of the President (Presidential Agent 1)

“So Miller doesn’t go to Philadelphia?” Charley asked.

“That depends,” Hall said. He took his cellular telephone from his pocket again and pressed an autodial key.

“Matt Hall for General Naylor—

“Well, I have to talk to him, and now.”

He turned to Castillo and Miller.

“The commander in chief of Central Command is out jogging on the beach,” he announced with a smile.

The commanding general of Central Command is never out of touch; it took fewer than ninety seconds to get a telephone to Naylor.

“You sound a little winded, Allan,” Hall said. “And what about sunburn? At your age . . .”

The commanding general was apparently not amused. Hall smiled.

“Temper, temper, Allan. And, no, this couldn’t wait. It’s important, but we’re both on cellulars, okay? So you’re just going to have to trust me. That last fellow you just sent to me? I would like to use him the same way I’m using the first one. Would that be okay with you? More important, if it will get him in any trouble, say so—

“Of course he volunteered.”

Hall handed Miller the telephone.

“Yes, sir?—

“Yes, sir, I understand. Thank you, sir. Yes, sir.”

He handed the phone to Castillo.

“Yes, sir?—

“Yes, sir, I’m fine—

“Yes, sir. I will.”

Castillo handed the cellular to Hall.

“Thank you, Allan. I’ll be in touch when we can talk. Have a nice jog.”

Hall put the cellular back in his pocket.

“What did he say to you, Miller?”

“Sir, he said that, VOCG, I am to place myself at your orders. CentCom orders will be published tomorrow.”

“VOCG?” Hall asked.

“ ‘Verbal Orders of the Commanding General,’ sir,” Miller furnished.

“Okay. I’d forgotten that phrase. If I ever knew it. I never saw a general up close when I was in the Army.”

“It’s SOP, sir,” Charley said, “when there is no time to get a set of orders published.”

Hall nodded.

“I understand your security clearances have been revoked, ” he said to Miller. “So I’m unrevoking them as of right now. Charley, call the office and dictate a memorandum for the record.”

“Yes, sir. What are you going to give him?”