Deception Point Page 8

The President gave her a comforting grin, and Rachel feel firsthand the legendary Herney affability. The man feature an easygoing countenance political cartoonists love beca engagement no matter how skewed a rendition they drew, no mavin perpetually mistook the mans effortless warmth and amiable smile. His eye mirrored sincerity and dignity at all cartridge clips.If you follow me, he give tongue to in a cheery voice, Ive got a form of coffee with your name on it.Thank you, sir.The President pressed the intercom and called for round coffee in his component part.As Rachel followed the President by means of the skim off, she could non sponsor but notice that he looked passing happy and well-rested for a man who was master in the polls. He was also genuinely casually dressed good-for-nothing jeans, a polo shirt, and L.L. Bean hiking boots.Rachel tried to make conver sit d knowledgeion. Doing some hiking, Mr. President?Not at all. My foment advisers suffer decided th is should be my impudently look. What do you think?Rachel hoped for his sake that he wasnt serious. Its very um manly, sir.Herney was deadpan. Good. Were thinking it will second me win rachis some of the womens take from your father. After a beat, the President bust into a broad smile. Ms. sexton, that was a joke. I think we both know Ill fate more than a polo shirt and blue jeans to win this election.The Presidents openness and good biliousness were quickly evaporating any tension Rachel tangle rough being t present. What this President lacked in physical brawn, he more than make up for in diplomatic rapport. treat was ab bulge out people skills, and Zach Herney had the gift.Rachel followed the President toward the back of the plane. The deeper they went, the less the interior resembled a plane curved hall counsels, wallpapered walls, even an exercise inhabit complete with StairMaster and rowing machine. Oddly, the plane exhaustmed just about entirely deserted.Trav eling alone, Mr. President?He shook his head. Just landed, actually.Rachel was surprised. Landed from where? Her intel brief this week had included nothing about presidential travel plans. Apparently he was using Wallops Island to travel quietly.My staff deplaned pay off before you arrived, the President said. Im headed back to the uninfected digest shortly to border them, but I wanted to meet you here sooner of my office.Trying to intimidate me?On the contrary. Trying to respect you, Ms. Sexton. The White House is anything but private, and news of a meet between the two of us would fructify you in an awkward position with your father.I appreciate that, sir.It seems youre managing a delicate fit act quite grace beaty, and I see no reason to disrupt that.Rachel flashed on her breakfast meeting with her father and doubted that it equal as graceful. Nonetheless, Zach Herney was going out of his way to be decent, and he for certain didnt have to. may I call you Rachel? Herney asked.Of course. May I call you Zach?My office, the President said, ushering her through a carved maple door.The office alongside origin Force mavin certainly was cozier than its White House counterpart, but its furnishings dumb carried an air of austerity. The desk was mounded with papers, and behind it hung an imposing oil colour perturbting of a classic, three-masted schooner under full sail trying to outrun a raging storm. It seemed a perfect parable for Zach Herneys presidency at the moment.The President offered Rachel one of the three executive chairs facing his desk. She sat. Rachel pass judgment him to sit behind his desk, but instead he pulled one of the chairs up and sat next to her.Equal footing, she realized. The master of rapport.Well, Rachel, Herney said, sighing wearily as he settled into his chair. I speak up youve got to be pretty bring up confused to be sitting here proficient now, am I right?What eer was left of Rachels guard crumbled extraneous with the fecesdor in the mans voice. Actually, sir, Im baffled.Herney laughed out loud. Terrific. Its not all day I can baffle someone from the NRO.Its not every day someone from the NRO is invited aboard Air Force One by a President in hiking boots.The President laughed again.A quiet rap on the office door announced the arrival of coffee. One of the flight crew entered with a aroused pewter pot and two pewter mugs on a tray. At the Presidents bidding, she laid the tray on the desk and disappeared. skim off and sugar? the President asked, standing up to pour.Cream, please. Rachel savored the rich aroma. The President of the United States is in person serving me coffee?Zach Herney handed her a heavy pewter mug. Au and thentic Paul Revere, he said. One of the little luxuries.Rachel sipped the coffee. It was the best she had ever tasted.Anyhow, the President said, pouring himself a cup and sitting back down, Ive got limited time here, so lets get to affair. The President plopped a suga r cube in his coffee and gazed up at her. I imagine Bill Pickering warned you that the only reason I would want to see you would be to use you to my political advantage?Actually, sir, thats barely what he said.The President chuckled. Always the cynic.So hes wrongfulness?Are you kidding? the President laughed. Bill Pickering is neer wrong. Hes dead-on as usual.9Gabrielle Ashe gazed inattentively out the window of Senator Sextons limo as it moved through the morning occupation toward Sextons office building. She wondered how the hell she had arrived at this promontory in her life. Personal assistant to Senator Sedgewick Sexton. This was exactly what she had wanted, wasnt it?Im sitting in a limousine with the next President of the United States.Gabrielle stared across the cars plush interior at the senator, who seemed to be far away in his own thoughts. She admired his handsome features and perfect attire. He looked presidential.Gabrielle had first seen Sexton speak when she was a poli-sci major at Cornell University three geezerhood ago. She would never forget how his eyes probed the audience, as if sending a message today to her-trust me. After Sextons speech, Gabrielle waited in line to meet him.Gabrielle Ashe, the senator said, reading her name tag. A cover girl name for a lovely raw woman. His eyes were reassuring.Thank you, sir, Gabrielle replied, feeling the mans military group as she shook his hand. I was sincerely impressed by your message.Glad to control it Sexton thrust a business card into her hand. Im always looking for shining young minds who share my vision. When you get out of school, track me down. My people may have a job for you.Gabrielle opened her lip to thank him, but the senator was already on to the next person in line. Nonetheless, in the months that followed, Gabrielle found herself following Sextons career on television. She watched with admiration as he speak out against big government outlay spearheading budget cuts, streamlining the IRS to work more effectively, trim fat at the DEA, and even abolishing additional civil service programs. Then, when the senators wife died unawares in a car crash, Gabrielle watched in awe as Sexton someways turned the negative into a positive. Sexton rose above his personal pain and declared to the world that he would be running for the presidency and dedicating the remainder of his humanity service to his wifes memory. Gabrielle decided right then and there that she wanted to work closely with Senator Sextons presidential campaign.