Underneath, however, he wasn’t so composed. Stu Garret was pacing back and forth in front of Nance’s desk with an optimistic smile on his face, even though they had just spent the last half an hour getting yelled at by the President. Stevens was irate that he had been left out of the loop and that Garret and Nance had been involved in a scheme that could get Stevens impeached or worse. Nance was worried about other things. He tried to ignore Garret as he blabbered on. “I think we’re going to be okay. I really think everything is going to work out. Stansfield bought the whole blackmail story …. Jim will calm down in a couple of weeks and realize that we were only trying to protect him, and I
know Arthur was a friend of yours, but, Jesus, he gave me the creeps. I have to admit I
feel a lot better knowing that he took what he knows to the grave.” Without turning his head Nance looked up at Garret out of the corner of his eye and said, “Shut up, Stu.”
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“Hey, I’m only trying to lay everything out so we know where we’re at.”
“I know where I am, and I don’t need you to point out the obvious. So kindly keep your mouth shut for several minutes. I’m trying to think.”
Garret sat down on the couch and mumbled to himself. Nance turned his chair around so he wouldn’t have to look at him. Why had Stansfield left the meeting so abruptly, just when things were heating up? They weren’t out of the woods yet. He thought of mentioning that fact to Garret, but knew he preferred Garret’s current obnoxious state to his frantic, panicked one. Michael sat in the back of the armor-plated Cadillac with
Stansfield. He was somewhat relieved that Director Stansfield was not a big talker.
O’Rourke guessed correctly that Stansfield was preparing for his confrontation with
Nance and Garret. Stansfield had almost called the White House to schedule the meeting, but at the last minute he decided it would be better if they surprised Garret and Nance.
When they were less than a mile from the White House, Stansfield picked up the secure phone and dialed the number for Jack Lortch’s office. Lortch answered and Stansfield said, “Jack, this is Director Stansfield. I need an emergency meeting with the President, Mike Nance, and Stu Garret. I’m about to enter the underground parking garage of the
Treasury Building.
Please alert your agents that I will be coming through the tunnel.”
Stansfield glanced over at Michael. “I have a guest-Congressman O’Rourke. I’ll vouch for him …. Jack, this is very serious. Please get them down to the Situation Room immediately.” Lortch got the point and Stansfield hung up. The limousine pulled into the underground garage of the Treasury Building, and Michael and Stansfield were escorted by four Secret Service agents down a narrow cement tunnel.
When they reached the other end, they stopped at a thick steel door that the Secret
Service referred to as the Marilyn Monroe door. They held their identification up to a camera, and Stansfield asked, “Are you nervous?”
“No, I’m too mad to be nervous.”
“Congressman, would you do me a favor?” Michael nodded yes, and Stansfield said, “When I play the tape, please keep an eye on the President. I’m going to be busy watching
Mr. Nance and Mr. Garret.
I would like your opinion as to whether or not the President is genuinely surprised by the tape.” Michael nodded and asked, “Is it safe to play the tape at the White House… I
mean, won’t the Secret Service be monitoring the meeting?”
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“No, the Situation Room is secure. It’s swept daily for bugs and is completely soundproof. The Secret Service is not allowed to monitor the room because of the classified information that is discussed.” The six-inch-thick steel door swung open, revealing Jack Lortch. Stansfield introduced Michael to Lortch while they continued down the hall. They entered a large room, and Lortch escorted them past the National
Security Desk to a door in the far corner. Stansfield and Michael entered the room, and
Lortch closed it behind them. President Stevens was standing at the far end of the table.
His suit coat was off and draped over the back of the high-backed leather chair in front of him.
Nance and Garret were seated. It was obvious that the President was unhappy with his two confidants. Stansfield and Michael walked around the left side of the long table and stopped behind the last two chairs.
“Mr. President,” said Stansfield, “this is Congressman O’Rourke.” Out of habit
Stevens extended his hand, and then a strange look appeared on his face as he remembered his phone conversation with the young Congressman some two weeks earlier. Michael shook the President’s hand and the three of them sat. “I assume whatever this is about has something to do with why you were called away so abruptly this morning?” asked the President.
“Yes… something very serious has been brought to my attention.” “What is the
Congressman doing here?” asked Garret in his usual impatient tone. “He is here at my request.” Michael moved his eyes from Garret to Nance and stared at him with pure hatred. Stansfield’s answer wasn’t good enough for Garret so he redirected his question to
Michael.
“Congressman O’Rourke, why are you here?” Michael looked back at him and replied, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Mr. President.” Stansfield pulled the tape from his pocket and held it for everyone to see.
