Deception Point Page 4

Although the job was difficult and required long hours, the position was a badge of honor for her, a way to assert her independence from her father. Senator sexton had offered firearmy a nonher(prenominal) times to support Rachel if she would quit the post, still Rachel had no intent of becoming financially beholden to a man kindred Sedgewick Sexton. Her begin was testimony to what could happen when a man akin that held too many cards.The sound of Rachels pager echoed in the marble hall.Again? She didnt even inconvenience oneself to check the message.Wondering what the hell was going on, she boarded the elevator, skipped her own floor, and went straight to the top.4To call the NRO director a plain man was in itself an overstatement. NRO managing director William Pickering was diminutive, with pale skin, a forgettable face, a bald head, and hazel eyes, which disrespect having gazed upon the countrys deepest secrets, appe bed as two shallow pools. Nonetheless, to those who w orked under him, Pickering towered. His subdued personality and bargon philosophies were legendary at the NRO. The mans quiet diligence, combined with his wardrobe of plain glum suits, had earned him the nickname the acquaintance. A brilliant strategist and the model of efficiency, the Quaker ran his world with an unrivaled clarity. His mantra Find the truth. Act on it.When Rachel arrived in the directors office, he was on the phone. Rachel was always surprised by the sight of him William Pickering looked nothing like a man who wielded ample power to wake the chairperson at any hour.Pickering hung up and waved her in. Agent Sexton, stool a seat. His voice had a lucid rawness to it.Thank you, sir. Rachel sit.Despite most peoples discomfort ab go forth William Pickerings vocal demeanor, Rachel had always liked the man. He was the exact antithesis of her father physically unimposing, anything notwithstanding charismatic, and he did his duty with a selfless patriotism, shunning the spotlight her father loved so much.Pickering removed his glasses and gazed at her. Agent Sexton, the death chair called me about a half hour ago. In direct reference point to you.Rachel shifted in her seat. Pickering was screwn for getting to the point. One hell of an opening, she thought. not a problem with one of my gists, I hope.On the contrary. He says the sporting field of operations is strike with your work.Rachel exhaled silently. So what did he want?A meeting with you. In person. Immediately.Rachels unease sharpened. A personal meeting? About what?Damn goodish question. He wouldnt tell me.Now Rachel was lost. Keeping information from the director of the NRO was like keeping Vatican secrets from the Pope. The standing joke in the intelligence community was that if William Pickering didnt know about it, it hadnt happened.Pickering stood, pacing now in front of his window. He asked that I contact you immediately and send you to meet with him.Right now?He sent transpo rtation. Its waiting outside.Rachel frowned. The chairs request was unnerving on its own account, but it was the look of concern on Pickerings face that really worried her. You manifestly have reservations.I sure as hell do Pickering showed a rare flash of emotion. The Presidents timing seems almost callow in its transparency. You are the daughter of the man who is currently challenging him in the polls, and he demands a private meeting with you? I find this highly inappropriate. Your father no uncertainness would agree.Rachel knew Pickering was right not that she gave a damn what her father thought. Do you not trust the Presidents motives?My oath is to provide intel support to the current White theatre of operations administration, not pass judgment on their politics.Typical Pickering response, Rachel realized. William Pickering do no bones about his view of politicians as transitory figureheads who passed fleetingly crosswise a chessboard whose real players were men like Pic kering himself seasoned lifers who had been around long enough to understand the game with some perspective. Two full phase of the moon terms in the White House, Pickering often said, was not nearly enough to comprehend the true complexities of the global political landscape. maybe its an innocent request, Rachel offered, hoping the President was above trying some sort of cheap campaign stunt. Maybe he needs a reduction of some sensitive data.Not to sound belittling, Agent Sexton, but the White House has access to grass of qualified gisting personnel if they need it. If its an internal White House job, the President should know better than to contact you. And if not, then he sure as hell should know better than to request an NRO asset and then food waste to tell me what he wants it for.Pickering always referred to his employees as assets, a manner of talking to many found disconcertingly cold.Your father is gaining political momentum, Pickering said. A hatch of it. The White H ouse has got to be getting noisome. He sighed. Politics is a despairing business. When the President calls a secret meeting with his challengers daughter, Id guess theres more on his mind than intelligence gists.Rachel felt a distant chill. Pickerings hunches had an uncanny tendency to be dead on. And youre afraid the White House feels desperate enough to introduce me into the political mix?Pickering pa apply a moment. You are not exactly silent about your feelings for your father, and I have little doubt the Presidents campaign staff is aware of the rift. It occurs to me that they may want to use you against him somehow.Where do I sign up? Rachel said, only half-joking.Pickering looked unimpressed. He gave her a unappeasable stare. A word of warning, Agent Sexton. If you feel that your personal issues with your father are going to cloud your judgment in dealing with the President, I powerfully advise that you decline the Presidents request for a meeting.Decline? Rachel gave a nervous chuckle. I obviously cant refuse the President.No, the director said, but I can.His address rumbled a bit, reminding Rachel of the other reason Pickering was called the Quaker. Despite being a teeny-weeny man, William Pickering could cause political earthquakes if he were crossed.My concerns here are simple, Pickering said. I have a responsibility to protect the people who work for me, and I dont measure even the vague implication that one of them might be used as a pawn in a political game.What do you recommend I do?Pickering sighed. My suggestion is that you meet with him. Commit to nothing. at a time the President tells you what the hell is on his mind, call me. If I think hes playacting political hardball with you, trust me, Ill pull you out so fast the man wont know what hit him.Thank you, sir. Rachel sensed a protective annulus from the director that she often longed for in her own father. And you said the President already sent a car?Not exactly. Pickering frown ed and pointed out the window.Uncertain, Rachel went over and gazed out in the direction of Pickerings outstretched finger.A snub-nosed MH-60G PaveHawk helicopter sat idling on the lawn. One of the fastest choppers ever made, this PaveHawk was emblazoned with the White House insignia. The pilot stood nearby, checking his watch.Rachel turned to Pickering in disbelief. The White House sent a PaveHawk to take me fifteen miles into D.C.?Apparently the President hopes you are either impressed or intimidated. Pickering eyed her. I suggest you are neither.