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Kate poked Will in the ribs. “Speak,” she said.
“Oh, yes, I almost forgot—must be the bourbon. Lance, I’ve decided to appoint you director of Central Intelligence.”
Lance nearly dropped his drink. He had thought this might be an interview, but he hadn’t expected an outright offer. This meant that Kate must be stepping down. “I accept, Mr. President, with gratitude.”
“Good. Got that out of the way. Your turn, sweetheart.”
“Here’s how it’s going to go,” Kate said. “First, we have to get this Jasmine thing out of the way. When that’s done, I’ll resign, and Will will appoint you. He’ll announce the two things simultaneously in a small ceremony in the White House briefing room, on live TV.”
Lance nodded. “Yes, I should think you’d want Jasmine behind you before you step down.” He wanted it that way, too; he definitely did not wish to inherit that problem.
The president spoke up again. “I’ve spoken with Senator Jeff Barnes, whom you know from your occasional testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and he sees no obstacle to a smooth confirmation process. By appointing a career professional we take politics out of the equation, so there should be little if any opposition from across the aisle. And, of course, we need only Senate confirmation.”
“I understand, sir.”
“Both Kate and I admire the way you’ve conducted yourself since becoming deputy director for operations,” the president said, “and I mean that as much for how you’ve dealt with Senator Barnes and his committee as for the operations you’ve conducted. The committee is well versed in how you’ve handled that part of your job, and because virtually everything you’ve done is classified, there won’t be any public testimony. I expect questioning will be mostly on what sort of future you see for the Agency, especially the new domestic part of it. You and Senator Barnes will have an opportunity to talk in depth about that, and I think you would be wise to incorporate some of his views into your testimony.”
“That shouldn’t be difficult,” Lance said, “since the senator and I don’t have any serious disagreements on policy. We’ll need a considerable expansion, though, if our charter is changed.”
“Yes, and you might give some thought to exactly how you want to expand. You and Kate can spend some time on that.”
“Yes, sir. I will value her advice, of course.”
“Thank you, Lance,” Kate said, smiling. “I wouldn’t have expected you to say anything else. Do you have any immediate thoughts?”
“Well,” Lance said, “I think I would like to make Holly Barker’s appointment as New York station chief permanent. I think she’s perfect for it.”
“I agree entirely,” Kate said.
“I had thought of sending her to London after the trouble there, but her recommendation for the replacement there was perfectly considered, and I was glad to accept her judgment.”
“I’ve often thought that Holly’s coming to us later in life than usual, after her military and police background, gave her better judgment than we’re accustomed to in recruits.”
“I entirely agree,” Lance said. “She has always been solid on that score, and she’s a good judge of people, too. That will serve her well in New York.”
“You have to understand, Lance, that if things go badly in New York, everything could change.”
“I can see how that might affect things,” Lance replied.
“It’s better that I be here to take the blame, if things go south,” Kate said. “I think that will help protect your appointment.”
A butler came into the room and announced dinner.
“Of course, this is all just between us and Senator Barnes, until we’re ready to move,” the president said.
“I understand, sir. I would like your permission to tell Holly about it.”
“That’s a good idea, Will,” Kate said.
“I agree,” the president said, and they went in to dinner.
Lance took some deep breaths and tried to calm himself. His brain was bursting with what he wanted to do in the job.
The phone at Stone’s bedside was ringing when they entered his bedroom. “Hello.”
“It’s Dino, pal. How you doing?”
“Hey, buddy, how was the Bahamas?”
