“Why the hell didn’t Frost mention that it would be a problem?”
“I wasn’t involved in the conversation, George.”
“Yeah, yeah, Billy. I know.” The president rolled his head around his neck, stretching his muscles. They always seized up when he got angry. “What do you think?”
“I don’t see any need to use her, to be honest. She’s a good story, but if she’s not into it, she won’t add much. The little girl, on the other hand.”
“Don’t worry about her,” said Greene. “She’s got a hell of a story.”
“And our scientist rescued her.”
“Damn straight.”
“That is pretty compelling. She doesn’t speak English?”
“Christ, Billy. The child is six. She probably doesn’t even speak Vietnamese very well.”
“When do I meet her?”
“She’s coming up with me.”
“All right. We’ll figure something out. Now — the SEALs.”
“What SEALs?”
“Mara told me there were SEALs involved in this.”
“Yes, they came in and helped her get out. She deserves most of the credit though.”
“Two of them died on the mission. That — ”
“I’d rather not emphasize that point,” said Greene. “I don’t want
“Uh — ”
“No.”
“Of course. I’m sorry. Let’s drop that whole angle. We mention that some CIA people were involved, but we don’t get specific. That’s better anyway. People expect the CIA to be involved.”
“Just say assets.”
“I’ll figure something out.”
“Listen, I’ll tell you what else I want you to figure out. That jackass senior senator from New York is a pain in my behind.”
“Phil is a pain in a lot of behinds.”
“You get along with him.”
“Not really, George.”
“Sure you do,” said Greene. “I need his damn vote on the committee. What can we do to get it? Short of sexual favors.”
“I’m not sure those would work with him.”
Neither man spoke for a few seconds. The president remembered Jablonski on primary night in New York, pacing up and down the corridor, rethinking every move they had made in the state. Jablonski was sure they were going to lose — Greene could read it on his face.
Oddly, that was what convinced Greene they would win, and win big.
He did, by nearly 8 percent — huge at the time.
“You have to butter him up,” said Jablonski finally.
“I thought you said sex wouldn’t work.”
Jablonski’s laugh sounded like a bull snorting. “What might work,” he said, “is to have our scientist meet him, tell him the story personally. Give him the Lincoln Room treatment. Take him up to New York on your plane, make a big thing out of him getting the information beforehand, the whole deal.”
“That’s only going to encourage him. He already thinks he’s more important than he is.”
“He controls Armed Services. You need him.”
“Hmmmph.”
“He’s probably heard something about this by now anyway.”
He’d better not have, thought Greene. He had the biggest mouth in the Senate. It had gotten him kicked off the Intelligence Committee two years before. And not a second too soon.
“He’s in Syracuse or wherever the hell it is he claims to live,” said Greene. “If he goes to the UN, it’ll only be to oppose me. He’s already threatened to do that.”
“So make the move. Turn on the charm. Hold your friends close. Hold your enemies closer.”
“Don’t quote Machiavelli to me.”
“That was Jablonski 101, not Machiavelli.”
“Oh all right. I’ll try. Set it up, Billy. Make it work.” Greene dropped the phone onto the receiver.
17
Which bugged Josh. He wanted to be alone with her.
A driver working for the Marshals Service took them to a small French place uptown, where they were seated alone in a back room. Josh spotted steak and fries on the menu and quickly made his choice. Mara and Malaki bonded over the menu, talking about terrines and pates and sauces that Josh had never heard of. He ordered a bottle of wine — Malaki recommended a Rhone — but ended up drinking alone, as Mara didn’t want any and Malaki wouldn’t drink while working.
Jablonski was waiting for them in the hotel lobby when they got back.
“We’re looking a little refreshed,” he told them. “Josh, did you get the suit?”
“It’ll be delivered in the morning.”
“Did you get a shirt and a tie? Couple of shirts?”
“Just one.”
“You may need a few. I’ll take care of it.”
“I don’t need any charity.”
“It’s not charity. Relax.” Jablonski pointed to the elevator. “Why don’t we go upstairs and talk?”
They went to Mara’s room. Malaki stayed outside, which was fine with Josh. He would have preferred that Jablonski stay there as well.
Mara propped herself up at the head of the bed. Josh and Jablonski took the chairs.
“The president needs you to do a favor for him, Josh,” said Jablonski. “The senator who heads the Armed Services Committee needs to know what’s going on. The president would like you to brief him.”
“Uh, okay. How?”
“The speech is Friday afternoon. The senator is flying into New York City tomorrow. I spoke to his staff and we’re getting something arranged for either tomorrow or maybe Friday morning.”
“Kind of nebulous,” said Josh.
“That’s how these things go,” said Jablonski. “Especially with this senator.”
“Did you talk to the president about me?” asked Mara.
“Yes. All taken care of.”
“You’re sure?”
He held up his hand. “It’s all good.”
“I don’t have to talk to the senator?” she asked.
“No, but you might be — it would be useful to have you along as an aide,” said Jablonski. “We can be vague about your background.”
“You’re not going to testify at the UN?” asked Josh.
“If I go public, I lose my job.”
Josh suddenly worried about the career implications for himself. Was he going to come off here as a political
