Page 153 of State of Alert

“Agent Hill said to tell you he’ll meet you at the cathedral,” Vernon said to Sam. “He had a stop to make on the way.”

“Got it, thanks.” To Nick, she said, “I hate that we’re going to a funeral for a good man who died far too young, but I like that we get to spend a rare weekday morning together.”

“That’s my girl, always seeing the bright side.”

“Morning,” Brant said. “Are you ready to go?”

“We are,” Nick said. To Harold, the usher, he said, “My suitcase is packed in the residence if someone can grab it for me.”

“We’ll take care of that for you, sir.”

“Thank you, Harold.”

“You got the word that I’m riding with POTUS?” Sam asked Vernon.

“I did. All good.”

Their coats were produced from some secret closet, and they were loaded into the back of The Beast for the ride to the National Cathedral.

As they drove through the White House gates, Sam called Chief Farnsworth.

“Morning.”

“Hi there. Wondering if you’re seeing the news with Isaac Erickson this morning?”

“Unfortunately, yes. What’re we doing about it?”

“We’re putting out a statement from the White House that I’m aware of his concerns and will address them more fully in an interview the president and I are giving later today.”

“Is the plan to come clean?”

“Yes, which is why I wanted to check in with you. I believe I’ll need to say I was working with the approval of my commanders.”

“I think you should say with the approval of your chief—and only your chief—since no one else in the command structure was aware of this.”

“That’s going to cause us secondary issues, isn’t it?”

“Probably, but we’ve dealt with that before, and I’m sure we will again.”

“Okay, then, that’s what I’ll say. Be ready for the blowback.”

“I’m wearing my metal suit today.”

Sam laughed. “See you shortly.”

“I’ll be there.”

“All good with him?” Nick asked.

“Yep. We’ve got a plan.”

“Andy texted to say he doesn’t have anything to report yet, but he hopes to know more by later today.”

“I can’t even think about that without wanting to howl.”

“Same, but I think it’ll all work out.”

Sam nodded. “I’m clinging to that.”

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