The Sum of All Fears.pdf - Delta Force

ig or small, knew that they did, and proclaimed it to themselves and the whole
world.
Oh, God, to bring them down!
***
The fire was agreeably warm. The President's cabin at Camp David was in the
classic American pattern, heavy logs laid one atop the other, though on the
inside they were reinforced with Kevlar fiber, and the windows were made of
rugged polycarbonate to stop a bullet. The furniture was an even more curious
mix of ultra-modern and old-comfortable. Before the couch he sat on were three
printers for the major news services, because his predecessors liked to see the
wire copy, and there were three full-sized televisions, one of which was usually
tuned to CNN. But not tonight. Tonight it was on Cinemax. Half a mile away was a
discreetly-sited antenna farm that tracked all of the commercial satellites,
along with most of the military ones, a benefit of which was access to every
commercial satellite channel – even the X-rated ones, which Fowler didn't bother
with – creating the world's most expensive and exclusive cable system.
Fowler poured himself a beer. It was a bottle of Dortmunder Union, a popular
German brew that the Air Force flew over – being President did carry some useful
and unofficial perks. Liz Elliot drank a French white, while the President's
left hand toyed with her hair.
The movie was a sappy comedic romance that appealed to Bob Fowler. The female
lead, in fact, reminded him of Liz in looks and mannerisms. A little too snappy,
a little too domineering, but not without redeeming social value. Now that Ryan
was gone – well, on the way to being gone – maybe things would settle down.
'We've certainly done well, haven't we?'
'Yes, we have, Bob.' She paused for a sip of wine. 'You were right about Ryan.
Better to let him go honorably.' So long as he's gone, along with that little
shrew he married.
'I'm glad to hear you say that. He's not a bad guy, just old-fashioned. Out of
date.'
'Obsolete,' Liz added.
'Yeah,' the President agreed. 'Why are we talking about him?'
'I can think of better things.' She turned her face into his hand and kissed it.
'So can I,' the President murmured as he set his glass down.
***
'The roads are covered,' Cathy reported. 'I think you made the right decision.'
'Yeah, there was just a bad one on the Parkway just outside the gate. I'll be
home tomorrow night. I can always steal one of the four-by-fours they have
downstairs.'
'Where's John?'
'He's not here right now.'
'Oh,' Cathy observed. And what might he be up to?
'While I'm here, I might as well get some work done. Call you in the morning.'
'Okay, bye.'
'That's one aspect of this place that I won't miss,' Jack told Goodley. 'Okay,
what have you developed?'
'We've been able to verify all the meetings through September.'