Открыть фик целиком в отдельном окне
~~~****~~~
“Matthew?” Bob Wood sat behind a large desk, even at this ungodly hour the President of the United States still managed to look a picture of sartorial elegance. Matt smiled; he’d come a hell of a long way over the years.
“Been a long time since we chewed the fat Bob.” Praeger smiled and sat down. “The White House suits you.”
“Wears me out more precisely. You’ve done a good job, saved us years of internal security checks.”
“Well since I’ve done so well, you won’t have a problem with my request.” Matt smiled and picked at his jacket.
“I can see where this is heading Matt.” Bob sat back in the high leather chair and looked at his old friend.
“Good then I don’t have to be diplomatic, you were always better suited to that.”
“Don’t suppose I can get you to come back to work for me?”
“For you or the White House?”
“For my administration. You’re not diplomatic are you?”
“Doyle.”
“Connor Doyle will need to be assessed before we consider the options.” Bob hedged.
“While I agree with your decision, I think you should take a few things into consideration.” Matt looked up his face clouding with an impending storm.
“Such as?” There was resignation in Bob’s voice as he relaxed.
“Doyle was a case manager for the OSIR, which means his security clearance and understanding of official secrets acts is without parallel. Given that and his years in covert ops for the navy, he is not likely to cause dissention now.”
“There are broader issues here Matt.”
“You mean financial considerations? While I don’t know Doyle that well he’s not adverse to money and his estate was rather large. I am sure suitable compensation can be awarded.”
“Of course. However there are still other issues we are not certain of.”
“Such as?”
“Axon.”
“Now that’s one I can vouch for. Axon wants Elsinger’s head and probably Rollins, so given that he will have what he wants. The only other issue will be his retrieval of Doyle.”
“You trust him?”
“Who Peter? With my life, and I have done. Besides Bob, these people are the victims of a horrible crime in which the Government has played a key role. You’re not dealing with cretins. They will understand the situation and abide by the decisions to keep them safe. And it’s their safety I’m after.”
“Indeed, you have me intrigued.” Bob smiled paternally.
“Maybe, but you’ll have problems with MackInroth. Given his position he’s not likely to disappear quietly and I suspect Bob, that is the true problem.”
“Yes Doyle is rather inconsequential in this matter, but we do need to satisfy the demands of National Security.”
“Since the NID boys are in this up to their necks I doubt he will be considered inconsequential. However, I’m sure Presidential privilege is alive and well.”
“And why would I want to use it?”
“Because old friend, I’ll give you MackInroth on a plate without the brewha over his position.”
“Guaranteed?”
“Never lied to you Bob- not about to start now.”
“You want to let me know how?”
“No, its not that I don’t trust you, but,” he shrugged.
“Careful to the end. Alright, so you get Doyle sprung, Axon and he will be left alone and we’ll make financial restitution.”
“Good. I’d like to bring in a specialist to do the psych analysis on Doyle.”
“Who you have in mind?”
“Anton Hendricks.”
“No problem, I know Hendricks he’s reliable. Will he tell Axon?”
“No- after he’s done the psych work I’ll call Axon myself and let him know. Another twenty-four hours won’t make a lot of difference. Can I leave his travel arrangements to the boys or should I take care of it myself?”
“No tell them to route any objections through my office here. I’d like Doyle off base, given he passes psych within the next seventy-two hours. We still have security issues here, but we should have them under control by that stage.”
“Not like the old days when we could just send ‘em home is it?” Matt smiled.
“No. But this installation is worth billions Matt. It would go against the administration if I should have to close it.”
“Or the OSIR.”
“Finally figured it out? Can’t say I’m surprised.”
“Bob. You wouldn’t have been so insistent of me joining the team had it not been a government organization and one you were trying to protect.” Matt stood up.
“I understand you’re off to Quantico.”
“Good news travels fast, but yes, so you see the government gets to keep me, in a manner of speaking.” Matt headed towards the door before he turned back. “Oh yes a couple of other things.”
“Matt you’ve got blood, what more do you want?” Bob laughed.
“I’d like to have better rooms assigned to Doyle he’s been underground too long. One of the officer’s houses would be nice.”
“Take him in with you then, you’ve got the Colonel’s house. He’s too far away to try to run. You said a couple of things?”
“Oh yes, I’m going to want to see Elsinger.”
“Too what end?” The President took his glasses off and chewed the end of them thoughtfully.
“I want him to know who brought him down.”
“You want him to know exactly who you are and how high your influence goes?” Bob narrowed his eyes.
“Yes.” Matt smiled again.
“Then by all means, only I’ll come with you. We’ll show Frank just who he decided to try and play with.”
“Owe you one Bob.”
~~~~****~~~~
Anton scrubbed tiredly at his face and looked down at his watch, nearly one in the morning, Katherine would have a fit tomorrow. He stood up and hitched his tattered jacket over his shoulders and put the files back in the cabinet. The phone rang before he got to the door.
“Hendricks.”
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