Executive Intent

“It wasn’t going to happen,” Patrick said. “The last thing anyone expected was for Truznyev to go public with the whole thing. I became public enemy number one in an instant. President Gardner had no choice but to indict me.”

“It’s going nowhere, believe me,” Phoenix said. “We’ve got the best defense attorneys waiting in the wings, but their services won’t be needed.”

“We’ll see.”

“In the meantime, not a hell of a lot else has changed,” Phoenix went on. “ China has practically taken over Somalia -they’ve made a basing deal with the northern Somali province of Puntland to improve port facilities on the Gulf of Aden in exchange for missile-basing rights. Both Russia and China are building aircraft carriers like crazy. Russia stopped supporting resupply missions to the International Space Station and are resupplying the Chinese Tiangong military space station instead. Allies are either arguing with us or turning their backs. It’s a mess. And I don’t have my favorite general by my side advising me.”

“I’ll always be there, sir,” Patrick said.

“But you should be where you deserve to be-right up there with me,” Phoenix said.

“I thought about it and talked it over with Gia for a long time,” Patrick said, “and we decided what I knew all along: I’m just not a politician. I couldn’t make it as a lobbyist, private military contractor, defense-contractor exec, or industry advocate either. I guess I’ll always be just a flyboy.”

“You’re a leader, that’s what you are, my friend,” Phoenix said. “Always will be. That’s what we need in Washington.”

“I don’t know, sir. Lots of fun things happening at Sky Masters again, and my son likes his school.”

“I know, Patrick,” Phoenix said. “But Bradley is a tough Air Force brat, and Washington is good for kids. I have a feeling you’ll be back soon. When things settle down, let’s sit down and talk.”

“Roger that, sir,” Patrick said. “Good luck, sir.”

“Thanks, Patrick. You take care, General. See you soon.” And he hung up.

A short time later, the limousine arrived at the East Portico of the Capitol Building, amid tight security keeping back thousands of cheering onlookers. Phoenix and his family were met by Dr. Ann Page, and they embraced, which only energized the crowd even more. “You ready to do this thing, Madam Vice President?” Phoenix asked.

“You bet I am, Mr. President,” Ann replied. “Let’s do it.” Taking each other’s hand, with Phoenix taking his wife’s hand and Ann taking Phoenix ’s daughter’s hand, they ascended the east steps of the Capitol.

Once through the Columbus Doors and into the Rotunda, they met with several of the distinguished guests who would be in attendance for the oath of office on the West Portico of the Capitol: several former defense secretaries and chiefs of staff, plus former vice president Les Busick and former presidents Thomas Thorn and Kevin Martindale and their families. After they greeted each other, they proceeded across the Rotunda to the West Portico.

Ann embraced Ken one last time before she walked out. “I’m so scared,” she admitted as they embraced.

“I am, too, Ann,” Ken said. “But we’re it now.”

She stepped back and smiled. “Damn right we are, Mr. President,” she said. “Damn right.”

Phoenix took his wife’s and son’s hands while his wife held their daughter’s, and they waited for their cue to emerge onto the West Portico. They could hear the roaring crowd outside and feel the unusual January warmth through the doors.

Holy God help me, he thought as he smiled at the sunshine and listened to the cheering crowd…I’m it.

HENDERSON, NEVADA

THAT SAME TIME

Patrick McLanahan put his arm around Gia, and she snuggled closer to him-until he tightened his arm too much across her back, causing her to wince in pain. “Sorry, sweetie,” he said. “Didn’t mean it. Still sore, huh?”

“That’s okay, lover,” Gia Cazzotta said. She snuggled closer, and he kept his arm safely on the back of the couch. Patrick’s son, Bradley, looked over at his dad’s girlfriend in concern. “That was Ken?”

“Yes.” They were watching the inauguration of Kenneth Phoenix on television from McLanahan’s condo south of Las Vegas. “He still wants me in Washington.”

“You just talked with the new president, Dad?” Bradley asked.

“Yep.”

“Cool.”

“He wants to talk about going back to Washington, Brad,” Patrick said. “How about it? Feel like going back to Washington again for a while?”

“I don’t know, Dad,” Bradley said. “I’ll be on the varsity squad next year, and…and…”

“You forgot about Heather, Dad,” Gia reminded him with a smile.

“Who?”

“Dad…”

“The cheerleader?”

“No!”

“That was last month, Patrick,” Gia said.

“She’s my lab partner,” Bradley said. “We’re building that telescope. Remember? Can we leave after the school year’s out?”

“We’ll talk about it,” Patrick said.

At that moment Central Intelligence Agency senior scientific programs analyst Timothy Dobson came into the room, his face wearing a smile but his body language saying otherwise. “Hey, Timothy,” Gia greeted him, “come to watch the inauguration with us?”

“Sure,” Dobson said.