By Order of the President (Presidential Agent 1)

The pilot of the helicopter said, “Marine One lifting off,” and the Sikorsky VH-3D “Sea King” of HMX-1, the Marine Corps’ Presidential Helicopter Squadron, did just that, rising quickly and smoothly from the White House lawn and then making a smooth, climbing turn that would put it on course for Camp David.

The president of the United States said, “I feel like Nixon fleeing from the angry crowds at the White House with a very insincere smile on my face.”

“Mr. President,” Secretary of Homeland Security Matthew Hall began and then stopped.

“What, Matt?”

“I was about to say I’m sorry—and I am because of the trouble that’s developed—but what I really want to say is thank you for trusting me on this.”

The president waved his right hand, meaning “unnecessary, ” and said, “I know you believe what you told me. And it seems pretty obvious that I can’t take a chance and ignore —however incredible it may sound—the possibility that these lunatics actually intend crashing this airplane into downtown Philadelphia and may have the means to carry it off.”

Hall didn’t reply.

“And we’re about to see how efficient all the technology really is, aren’t we? Just about now, Natalie is telling Powell that I want to know what’s on, or what has been on, the field in Chad, and very soon satellite sensors will be having a look.”

“Mr. President, fully aware that I’m taking another walk on DCI Powell’s lawn, there’s something else that might be done.”

“What?”

“Sir, I’ve not brought any of this up to General Naylor.”

“Naylor? Why should you have?”

“He may have some means to find out what’s going on at Abéché, and possibly before the CIA—and whoever else the DCI enlists to help him—can.”

“You don’t think Powell will do that anyway? Jesus, you really don’t like him, do you?”

“That’s two questions, sir. No, I don’t really like him. And, no, I don’t think he’ll seek assistance from General Naylor until his back is against the wall and he has to. Right now what he wants to do is make the agency look good.”

“That’s a pretty serious accusation, Matt.”

“Yes, sir, I realize that. But my responsibility is homeland security and I’m willing to admit I need all the help I can get.”

“Two more questions. One, what do you think Naylor could do to help? And, two, what’s really caused this trouble between you and Powell? Until yesterday, I thought the two of you got along pretty well.”

“He lied to me,” Hall said. “He gave me his word that he would take no punitive action against Major Miller and then did just that.”

“What did he do?”

“He relieved him for cause—I won’t even get into that business of accusing him of making a pass at Mrs. Wilson— fully aware that when an officer is relieved for cause his career is down the toilet.”

“He chose to believe Mrs. Wilson. I think they call that ‘loyalty downward,’ ” the president said. “And from where I sit, you are showing the same thing to Major Castillo . . . and to Major Miller, who doesn’t even belong to you.”

“He does now, sir. General Naylor put him on temporary duty with me. And, sir, I don’t know what General Naylor can do. But he may have something—even if only an idea— and I think we should ask for whatever he has.”

“Let me think,” the president said.

As the president stood in the doorway to exit Marine One and get in one of the golf carts lined up to carry people to the cabins of Camp David, he turned and met Hall’s eyes.

“It looks to me as if Major Miller is an innocent bystander caught in the line of fire. I don’t like that. What can I do to help him?”

The question took Hall by surprise. He had never even considered the possibility that the president would offer to help Miller.

“Sir, I think if you wrote Miller a letter of commendation for his service—unspecified, but under very difficult conditions for someone of his rank and experience—and sent it to him via the Defense Intelligence Agency—they’re the ones who want to crucify him . . .”

“You write it and I’ll sign it,” the president interrupted him. “But call General Naylor first, and, without getting into your problems with the DCI, tell him if he has any means of finding out whether or not the airplane is, or was, in Chad, to use them.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.”