and looked around the table. “Who has an update?”
General Boone spoke. “I have been in touch with the Pakistani military headquarters but was unable to speak with the commanding general. I got a feeling that the place was chaotic.”
Kate spoke. “Our people on the ground suspect that at least some of the military command may have defected or revolted. A coup may be imminent.”
“A coup in whose favor?” Will asked.
“We don’t know,” Kate said, “but Khan, of course, is a figure of hatred for fundamentalist Muslims. If he’s replaced, it’s not going to be with somebody we like.”
Will turned to Boone. “General, how quickly could we attack the installation if the order were given now?”
“Given the logistics, not before midnight,” Boone said, “but I’ve already placed the relevant units on alert and ordered the aircraft armed.”
“Can you begin moving the SEALs closer to the installation?”
“They’re less than an hour away by helicopter, so they’re better off waiting where they are.”
“Madame Director, please get in touch with Israeli intelligence. I don’t know if they’re aware of this situation yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised. I don’t want them jumping into this. Let them know that they’re under no immediate threat. Also, please brief the secretary of state and ask him to call his counterpart in India and tell them what’s happened. It’s possible that Delhi might be a target for these missiles.”
“Yes, Mr. President.” She got up and left the room.
“General Boone,” Will said, “what can we do that we haven’t already done?”
“Militarily, nothing, Mr. President. Politically, well that’s up to you.”
“Lance, do we have any indication that anyone else knows about this yet?”
“No, Mr. President, but the lid won’t be on it long, so I suggest we operate as if everybody knows.”
“I’m not ready to announce this,” Will said.
“No, sir, and you shouldn’t, but you should be ready to respond to a leak immediately.”
Will stood up. “All right, I’ll leave you to your work, but I want to be notified of any change, good or bad, in the situation.”
“Mr. President,” General Boone said, “for the moment, it’s pretty much out of our hands, but we’ll do everything we can to be ready to move.”
“Thank you, gentlemen,” Will said. He left the Situation Room for the Oval Office.
4
Will walked into the Oval Office to find Tim Coleman, Kitty Conroy, his campaign manager Sam Meriwether, his political consultant Tom Black, and the majority leader of the House and the minority leader of the Senate waiting for him. They all rose as he entered.
“Mr. President,” Tim said, “is there something going on that we should know about?”
“You’ll be briefed in a few minutes,” Will said. “Now, have a seat and tell me whose names are on your list.”
Tim began to read. “Senator Charles Watts of Idaho.”
Will shook his head. “No-Idaho has a Republican governor, and we can’t afford to give up the Senate seat.”
“Congressman Tad Giddens of Nebraska.”
“A good man, but green and a little impulsive. I need a grayer head.”
“Governor Martin Stanton of California.”
Will said nothing for a moment. “Good one. Who else?”
“Governor Bobby Breen of Texas.”
“Two southerners on the ticket isn’t good.”
“Governor Eleanor Thomas of Oregon.”
“A woman on the ticket would be a good thing, I think, but only if we believe she could credibly run for president after four years. What do you all think?”
Kitty Conroy spoke up. “She has a husband who runs his own large manufacturing business, and he isn’t likely to come to Washington with her, which would be a problem for both of them. She has two teenaged children, too, and the girl could be a problem for us. She was arrested on a juvenile drug charge last year. She seems to be improving, but…”
“Who else?”
“Governor Elliot Sparks of Colorado.”
“Twice divorced, and a reputation as a womanizer,” Will said. “He’d be a time bomb. Anyone else?”
“That’s all so far,” Tim said.
“Marty Stanton is an appealing guy,” Will said, “and he’s finishing his second term as governor. He has an attractive family, grown children, and I think he’d be a serious candidate for president, if I weren’t running, and he has a Mexican mother.”
“I like him for the job,” Sam said.
“So do I,” Kitty chipped in.
The others made positive noises.
“Any women other than Betty in his life?”
Tom Black spoke up. “There were rumors about a woman in Los Angeles, before he was governor, but they both denied everything, and nobody had any real evidence. If there’s been anybody since, Stanton has been very, very careful.”
Will walked to his desk and picked up the phone. “Please find Governor Martin Stanton of California,” he said into the phone, then hung up and looked around. “Last chance to bring up someone else,” he said.
Nobody spoke. The phone rang, and Will picked it up.
“Hello? How are you, Marty?… I’m glad to hear it. Marty, I’m with Sam Meriwether, Tim Coleman, Kitty Conroy, Tom Black, Congressman Dan Tweed, and Senator Mike Hubbard. I’d like to put you on speaker so everyone can hear you. Here we go.” Will pressed the button. “Can you hear me, Marty?”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
“Marty, George Kiel has entered Walter Reed for prostate cancer surgery. The prognosis is unclear, and he’s opted out of the race. All of us here think you’d make a great vice president, and a fine candidate for president in four years, and I’d be deeply honored if you’d accept George’s place on the ticket.”
Silence.
“You there, Marty?”
“Yes, but I’m stunned.”
“I understand. Would you like to call me back?”
“May I put you on hold for a moment, Mr. President?”
“Certainly.”
There was a click on the line.
“He’s probably talking with Betty,” Will said.
“It’s going to be a short conversation,” said Kitty.
Stanton came back on the line. “Mr. President?”
“I’m here, Marty. We all are.”
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity, and I am delighted to accept.”
“That’s wonderful, Marty. Where are you now?”
“On my airplane, about two hours out of New York.”
“Can we meet at the Waldorf Towers”-Will glanced at his watch-“at six o’clock?”
“Of course, Mr. President.”
“And you’d better start drafting an acceptance speech. See you at six.” Will hung up. “Well,” he said, “that was easy. Tim, you’d better call the FBI and get them started on the background check. Tell them I want at least a
