Deception Point Page 8

The chairwoman gave her a comforting grin, and Rachel sensed firsthand the legendary Herney affability. The man possessed an easy t whizz ending countenance political cartoonists loved because no matter how skewed a rendition they drew, no one ever mistook the mans effortless warmth and amiable smile. His eyes reflect sincerity and dignity at all clips.If you follow me, he give tongue to in a cheery voice, Ive got a cup of drinking chocolate with your anticipate on it.Thank you, sir.The chair pressed the intercom and called for some coffee in his office.As Rachel followed the hot seat through the plane, she could not stand by scarce notice that he looked extremely happy and well-rested for a man who was take in the polls. He was also very casually dressed benighted jeans, a polo shirt, and L.L. Bean hiking boots.Rachel tried to make conversation. Doing some hiking, Mr. President? non at all. My campaign advisers have decided this should be my new look. What do you thin k?Rachel hoped for his sake that he wasnt serious. Its very um manly, sir.Herney was deadpan. Good. Were thinking it will help me gain ground back some of the womens vote from your father. After a beat, the President broke into a broad smile. Ms. Sexton, that was a joke. I think we two know Ill need more than than a polo shirt and blue jeans to win this election.The Presidents openness and good humor were quickly evaporating any tension Rachel snarl about being there. What this President lacked in physical brawn, he more than made up for in diplomatic rapport. Diplomacy was about mint 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 sheer hallways, wallpapered walls, even an exercise room complete with StairMaster and rowing machine. Oddly, the plane seemed to the highest degree entirely deserted.Traveling alone, Mr. President?He shook his head. Just landed, actually .Rachel was surprised. come from where? Her intel briefs this week had included nothing about presidential go away plans. Apparently he was using Wallops Island to travel quietly.My staff deplaned right onwards you arrived, the President said. Im headed back to the White House shortly to meet them, yet I wanted to meet you here instead of my office.Trying to appal me?On the contrary. Trying to respect you, Ms. Sexton. The White House is anything but private, and tidings of a meeting between the two of us would put you in an awkward position with your father.I appreciate that, sir.It seems youre managing a delicate match act quite gracefully, and I see no reason to break that.Rachel flashed on her breakfast meeting with her father and doubted that it qualified as graceful. Nonetheless, Zach Herney was going out of his way to be decent, and he certainly didnt have to.whitethorn I call you Rachel? Herney asked.Of course. May I call you Zach?My office, the President said, usheri ng her through a carved maple door.The office aboard appearance Force unmatchable certainly was cozier than its White House counterpart, but its furnishings still carried an air of austerity. The desk was mounded with papers, and rump it hung an imposing oil painting of a classic, three-masted schooner under full swing trying to outrun a raging storm. It seemed a perfect illustration for Zach Herneys presidency at the moment.The President offered Rachel one of the three executive chairs aurar his desk. She sat. Rachel expected 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 tiredly as he settled into his chair. I imagine youve got to be pretty deuced confused to be sitting here right now, am I right?Whatever was left of Rachels guard crumbled away with the candor in the mans voice. Actually, sir, Im shaped.Herney laughed out loud. Terrific. Its no t every 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 proclaimed the arrival of coffee. One of the flight crew entered with a steaming pewter crazy weed and two pewter mugs on a tray. At the Presidents bidding, she laid the tray on the desk and disappeared. clobber and sugar? the President asked, standing up to pour.Cream, please. Rachel savored the rich aroma. The President of the coupled States is personally serving me coffee?Zach Herney handed her a heavy pewter mug. true 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 business. The President plopped a sugar cube in his coffee and gazed up at her. I imagine Bill Pickering warned you that the lonesome (prenominal) reason I would want to see you would be to use you to my political advantage?Actually, sir, thats exactly what he said.The President chuckled. Always the cynic.So hes upon?Are you kidding? the President laughed. Bill Pickering is never wrong. Hes dead-on as usual.9Gabrielle Ashe gazed absently out the window of Senator Sextons limo as it moved through the morning traffic toward Sextons office building. She wondered how the hell she had arrived at this point 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 freehand features and perfect attire. He looked presidential.Gabrielle had first seen Sexton speak when she was a poli-sci major(ip) at Cornell University three years ago. She would never forget how his eyes probed the audience, as if sending a message directly to her-trust me. After Sextons speech, Gabrielle waited in line to meet him.Gabrielle Ashe, the senator said, reading her name tag. A lovely name for a lovely young woman. His eyes were reassuring.Thank you, sir, Gabrielle replied, feeling the mans strength as she shook his hand. I was really impressed by your message.Glad to identify it Sexton thrust a business card into her hand. Im always expression for bright young minds who share my vision. When you get out of school, track me down. My the great unwashed may have a job for you.Gabrielle opened her mouth 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 spoke out against big government spending spearheading budget cuts, streamlining the IRS to operate more effectively, trimming fat at the DEA, and even abolishing redu ndant genteel servicing programs. Then, when the senators wife died suddenly in a car crash, Gabrielle watched in awe as Sexton somehow turned the negative into a positive. Sexton rose above his personal pain and declared to the valet that he would be running for the presidency and dedicating the remainder of his public service to his wifes memory. Gabrielle decided right then and there that she wanted to work tight with Senator Sextons presidential campaign.