By Order of the President (Presidential Agent 1)

“Shoot it down the minute it leaves Costa Rica,” Beiderman said. “Over international waters.”

“What we are going to try to do,” the president said, “is quietly neutralize it on the ground in Costa Rica. I emphasize the word quietly. Is there any reason Gray Fox can’t be trusted to do that?”

“Presuming we can find the airplane in Costa Rica, no, sir.”

“Gray Fox is presently airborne on its way to Suriname, Mr. President,” Secretary Beiderman said.

“I called the invasion of Suriname off,” the president said, and now there was a very nasty tone in his voice. “Weren’t you here when I gave that order, Fred?”

“Sir, normally we have instantaneous communication with a Gray Fox transport. But, at the moment, there’s a glitch. It happens, sir. Sunspots . . . other things.”

“You mean we are not in contact with Gray Fox?”

“For the moment, no, sir.”

“How far is it away from Suriname?” the president asked.

“Several hours, sir.”

“Between now and the time it gets to Suriname, Mr. Secretary of Defense, I want you to get word to General McNab that he is to divert to Costa Rica, there to await further orders in connection with his original mission. Jesus Christ, Fred, send F-15s after him and force him to turn around if that becomes necessary.”

“Yes, sir. Where in Costa Rica, Mr. President?”

“General McNab is a resourceful fellow. Why don’t we let him decide that?”

The door to the Oval Office opened.

“Mr. President, the Speaker is here,” the chief of staff said.

“Well, for the moment we’re finished here,” the president said. “But I’d like everybody to keep themselves available. ”

“Why don’t we all go to my office,” Natalie Cohen said, “and have a cup of coffee and a Danish?”

[FIVE]

Office of the National Security Advisor The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 1150 10 June 2005

“I’m going to the situation room,” Secretary of Defense Fred Beiderman announced. “I feel like a schoolboy in here, waiting to be called back to the principal’s office. Maybe they’ve managed to reestablish contact with McNab. Anyone want to go with me?”

“I will,” Secretary of Homeland Security Matthew Hall said.

“I thought I would take Betty and Major Miller to the executive mess for lunch,” National Security Advisor Dr. Natalie Cohen said.

“Good idea,” Hall said. “We’ll meet you there.”

“Secretary Hall,” Major H. Richard Miller, Jr., said. “May I have a minute, sir?”

“Shoot,” Hall said.

“Alone, sir. If you would, please, sir.”

“You want to wait, Fred, or should I catch up with you?” Hall asked.

“Catch up with me,” Beiderman said. “I’ll walk slow.”

He went through the door.

“I’ll take Betty and leave you two alone,” Dr. Cohen said.