Sea of Shadows eBook - Navy Thriller.com

WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
WASHINGTON, DC
FRIDAY; 18 MAY
12:13 AM EDT
CHAPTER 24
The double doors swung open, and two Secret Service agents entered
the room and took up positions at either side of the doorway. The
president strode into the room a few seconds later, holding up his hand as
he walked. “Please, don’t get up.”
He slid into his chair at the head of the table and looked at each of his
three advisors in turn. “We all know why we’re here,” he said. “Fifteen
U.S. Sailors dead, nearly thirty more wounded, two helicopters destroyed,
and a half-billion dollars worth of damage to an aircraft carrier.” He
pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger. “The
question is, what do we do now?”
Admiral Casey, the Chief of Naval Operations, cleared his throat. “My
position remains unchanged, Mr. President. Our best recourse is to sink
those submarines and do it now.”
The president forced a half-smile. “I understand how you feel, Bob.
But I’m not going to start a war here.”
“Looks to me like the Germans have already started it, sir,” Admiral
Casey said. “God knows why, but they want to duke it out with us.”
Secretary of State Whelkin shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
The CNO’s eyebrows shot up. “They took the first shots,” he said. “At
the Brits and then at us. And you don’t think they’re spoiling for a fight?”
SecState raised her index finger. “I’m not disagreeing with you,
Admiral. I’m certain that you’re right; the Germans are looking for a
fight. I just don’t think they want a war.”
The room was silent as everyone tried to digest that puzzling remark.
After a few seconds, the president said, “Talk to me, Liz. What’s going
on in that head of yours?”
Elizabeth Whelkin folded her hands on the table in front of her.
“We’re trying like hell to avoid a war here, right?”
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