Chapter 25

“Really? You’re kidding, right?” Jason shook his head. “Why so much?”

He shrugged. “Every President has added to the regulations and policies. Operations within states have required additions, and some locals found it necessary just to be included. Adding to the numbers already in place was an easier and better decision. Even if there is a regulation in place, most want their fingerprint in it. Most don’t care about the issues it causes. It is not them that has to deal with it. Besides, most of those who can add to the regulations have an executive mindset. An order, if you will. It comes to waste, not want not. Fear that they may need it another time. The reasons are numerous.” It wasn’t a complete answer, but it answered the basic part of her question. “Regulations are helpful, but they can often be a hindrance if they are not kept in check. Like many laws written.”

“I haven’t heard anything from this advisory committee beyond the fact that it exists. I’m seriously considering my own additions to the regulations.”

“That is your choice. However, the interlacing of the regulations has made it difficult at best and near impossible at worst. If you word it wrong, it could scratch off a part of another or change the premises and create a chain effect. You could even make it impossible for the SSG to fulfill its mandates. Until you’re briefed, you can’t add to the regulations as you don’t have the information to make the best executive-level decision in the order of those words. Or at least have those that can do so. Even a partial error can be problematic overall. However, we are human and make mistakes, which is why we still make erasers of all shapes and sizes.” He took the lid off one mug and had a drink. He was glad for the means for a delay. “But again, Madam President, I’m no expert.”

This time, it was the President’s turn to put off saying anything. She reached over and took one of the other mugs. “From what I have found out about you from the general and other sources, Colonel, that is not entirely true.”

“The general is kind. A little knowledge can take one far. I just act within the powers of my position to find opportunities. Sometimes, we have to read between the lines or interpret the way those powers are written to get the job done. But again, that happens in every position, from the lowest to the highest. Sometimes, we just need to ask the right questions or look at what has been said and done to make it work. And often, it helps to just listen to what is being said where and whenever we are. Look hard enough, and you can find a way around just about any obstacle that can be in your way. We have to think outside the box. Sometimes it’s unconventional thinking whereas other times it is looking at what’s been done already.”

She was frowning and slightly confused. She had a feeling and was about to inquire if she was right when Helene knocked on the door leading to her office. Jason stood up, getting a look from both ladies.

“Apologies, Madam President, but we have an issue.”

“Make yourself comfortable, Colonel. We can pick up when I get back,” the President stood. “Those should keep you; if not, Paula can call for more. Just poke your head out there and ask her if you need something.”

“Well, that escort to the bathroom would be nice,” Jason sighed.

She pointed to the hall toward the conference room. “There you go, no escort needed. Use it or not Colonel. Not too many have had that privilege. I’d say light a match but with all the sensors here might not be a good idea. Just vent it.”

He didn’t feel the need to tell her that he had already had that privilege, despite the discomfort of it. He didn’t need it at the moment but it wouldn’t be long before all the coffee made its way through.

He stood and walked over to the external doors and waived off the guard, turning to open. He just wanted to look out at the rose garden. He was thinking about the entire conversation. He could have made things easier. He wasn’t entirely truthful, and it bothered him that he had to play the game. But then the President hadn’t been completely truthful either. Prerogative of the office, perhaps. It only reminded him of the reasons he had a dislike for politics. However, the same could be said for some military officers. He chuckled at the correlation.

He didn’t time it, but the President was gone for over ten minutes. He even started on one of the other cups. As the box said, the cup kept it hot. He was just making his walk back to the doors when she came in. He started back, and she had him stop as she stopped, only to grab her cup. Her secretary knocked, stepped in, and handed her some papers.

“My apologies, Colonel.” She seemed resigned as she walked and read through them. The guards opened the doors as she approached.

“For what, Madam President?”

“I had an opinion of you. You’ve proven it wrong. I expected you to be a lot more like other officers I have had to deal with. I am not sure how I came to that conclusion. Where most in a military career are looking to gain, you fought to stay within the lower ranks. Yet you still do as much and, in some cases, more than officers of higher ranks. And those who have served with you or under you respect you. And the few that don’t, let’s just say, have ulterior motives to not do so. Most of them have lost ranks or were dishonorably discharged. Some have even been incarcerated by the military or civilian authorities.”

“You make me sound like some kind of poster boy, Madam President. I have served for a long time. And go far enough back, and you will find disgruntled or displeased subordinates who hated me. They moved on, is all. The reasons are theirs. I am far from perfect. I have made more than my share of mistakes. Mistakes that affect others. Private Lopez, for one.”

She led the way down the walkway toward the residence. “I’m fully briefed on Ms. Lopez, Colonel. I wasn’t behind the decision at first. But during my conversation with the general, I had you bring her here so I could talk to her myself as well. After that conversation, though a little unorthodox, it was a good decision.”

Jason stopped looking at the garden in thought. “Logical maybe, but...”

“That is an issue you can deal with as you need, Colonel. What we have now are bigger concerns. I can’t utilize an asset that can effectively help.” She joined him. “I have calls out to remedy this.”

He was turning toward her when movement caught his eye. Several bees were flying about. “That tells me a bit more about what you don’t know than what you do.” He looked left to right. “One call, and you can have the garden and his people here to take care of this garden for any problem within it.” He reached down and caressed a bush. “Now he’s good, so are his people, but he may have to ask an expert if the problem is out of his expertise.” Of course,” he looked down at the group of bees. “You don’t command all those that can aid in that care. Somethings are natural and come when needed for a purpose and don’t need to be asked.”

She took a breath and turned back. She was thinking as they walked. “I got a feeling, Colonel. But I don’t have the time to follow up on it. I have a plane to catch.” She held out the pages she still held. “I may not have the SSG, but I can use your expertise. I will be back by noon tomorrow, but you can reach me anytime. Go find your people, Colonel. And before you ask, Gertrude has your credentials.”

“Yes, madam President,” Jason went and picked up the boxes for two of the mugs and grabbed the two mugs.

“I think you are forgetting something,” she said from her desk.

Jason hefted the two mugs. “Again, thanks madam president the mugs are appreciated but I can only carry so much.”

She scowled at him. “The file, Colonel.”

Jason looked and shrugged. “Not mine, Ma’am. Perhaps one of your assistants left it for you to help with one of the many things you have to do. After all, when would I have had the time to make a file for our meeting?”

She stopped putting things in the briefcase and frowned as she looked at the file and thought. “I am expecting a call from you, Colonel, in thirty minutes. Tell Gertrude when you are settled into the office space. Tend to your people,” said dismissively.

He stopped a moment to grab the credentials, dial his phone and grab his go-bag. Carlson answered on the second ring and told him where the offices were. Captain Ostara was already there along with Selena.

The office was on the other side of the building and down in the basement. It was bigger than he expected it to be. There were two desks in the outer office that he walked into. Each with two chairs and one inside another office just beyond a single door. The two extra chair in there was slightly out of place in his mind. They were slightly fancier than the outer office ones and more looked like they belonged in a living room of a house.

Ostara was Selena at one desk and was urging Selena to stand up once Jason walked in. Carlson was at the other. The only thing on either desk was their phones. Selena also had his tablet. He hadn’t expected to see the Secret Service.

“Agent Lipson and Agent Wright, I was not expecting you here,” Jason acknowledged the junior Agent first. The result was expected and visible on Agent Wright’s face. “I am guessing that my desk is that one way in there.” He kept walking, and Wright was on his heels.

“Lieutenant, if you would please come in here. Captain, you and Private Lopez as well.” He was leaning on the desk and looking out the door, ignoring both agents. “Lt., nice job getting the office. But I’m noticing we are lacking a few necessary items.”

Carlson glowered. “Sorry Colonel. I was told there wasn’t anything for us. Officially we haven’t even had this office assigned to us. They said they can’t provide anything to anyone that isn’t officially a part of the staff. Your position is in the secret service detail and no secret service agent needs a separate office. If such was needed for some reason it would have to come through the department head.”

“Okay. Well, I can’t argue that now, can I?” Jason turned to Selena. “Did you finish what I asked you to do on the tablet?” Selena shook her head, looking too scared to talk. “It’s fine. Captain, please take her out to the other office so she can finish. And please call the Pentagon and see if they have a working office we can use for our stay. Lieutenant, please go up and talk to the President’s Secretary, Gertrude. I advised her that I would not be able to make the call to the President, who had ordered it in fifteen minutes, since we have no phone access per the Secret Service, if she could inform the President of the circumstances. I will be up in thirty to make the call from Gertrude’s office. Then, could you arrange for a couple of cars to meet us outside the main gate?” Jason went around and sat down, pulling the papers and one of the mugs from him.

Agent Wright jerked back. “You are bluffing. She didn’t tell you to call. The President is on Air Force One.”

“And you are here. Remarkable that fact. The President is going into the one area where she was attacked. Yet the head of her secret service detachment is not where he can protect her. Speaking of which.” Jason left his phone on the desk keying the security he scrolled the contacts.

“It’s been a long while, Jason,” A gruff voice answered.

“Apologies if I have disturbed you, General Pendley. I know you are busy.”

“Nothing more than the usual. Not too busy to remember to say congratulations on the promotion, Colonel. Long time coming.”

Jason sighed of course he would know about it. “Thank you Admiral I believe there are more suitable officers that would have been better off but nothing I can do about it now. Unfortunately, this isn’t a social call.”

Silence. “If you’re calling Jason, then it seldom is. What’s the problem?”

“California and the president’s visit tonight and tomorrow.”

“Yes. Not entirely unexpected. I understand you had something to do with it all.”

“Sadly, seems I was in the center, Sir.

There was a chuckle. “I don’t think I have known a time where you were not in the middle of it. But it is standard practice, Jason. You know that. Politics over commonsense at times.”

Wright started to pace. “Yes, sir. I noticed that the fighter escort wasn’t in the air. I was calling to check to see what that was if known.”

“Off the record, Jason. There was an issue. It’s being looked into.”

“Of course, sir. I’m sure the new escort will be closely monitored.”

“If I could have, I would have sent new planes. But all security is in place. We can only hope nothing happens, and it is all for naught.”

“Yes, better to waste some time and fuel, sir, than to deal with the loss and consequences. I would have taken a flight myself if I could have. However, the President has me on task. I don’t know if I have it in me to deal with a second flight. Though I have missed the flight time.”

More silence. “I could bump up your F-15E Strike Eagle qualifications. You would need to go to Idaho, though.”

“I hadn’t thought to do any more quals, Sir. I wasn’t expecting my retirement to be revoked. I will have to do my Cobra and Apache quals, too. Fortunately, I can call for that when I get back to California myself. One of the benefits of being in command of a squadron. I can go for a flight when I want.”

“The Nimitz is going to be in California. You could do carrier quals if you are feeling nostalgia. I may even take the time to come out myself and see how you do.”

Jason chuckled this time. “Sure, no pressure there, Sir. I have to see what the President is planning now.

It all revolves around her from the ground up. I just wanted to be sure she had her security protocols in place.”

“Worry not Colonel. Presidential security is for us in the air. The ground pounders need to worry about the ground up. I assure you though, after LA I have made sure every protocol you know of is in place.”