Chapter One Washington DC Same Time 7 Time Zones Away

Janet White shakes back her long auburn hair, a predictable, unconscious habit, as she stops what she’s doing to pick up the phone and bring it to her ear. “Good afternoon. The president’s secretary speaking.”

“Janet, this is Allison McDonald,” comes a crisp, no-nonsense woman’s voice on the other end. Allison McDonald is the director of the CIA. “Please put me through to the president. It’s imperative that I speak with him, immediately.”

“One moment.”

Sounds urgent – and I could use a stretch. Janet puts the director of the CIA on hold, gets up, works out a kink in her neck, crosses the office and takes the liberty of knocking on the door of the Oval Office, knowing the president is alone. If he were not, she would of course use the intercom. She hears the words “Come in,” opens the door quietly and pokes her head around it. “Mr. President, the director if the CIA is on line one. She says it is imperative that she speak with you. It sounds urgent.”

“Thank you, Janet. I’ll take it,” says William Egan, America’s first black president, reaching his long, lanky frame for the phone. “Allison, how are you?” he says into the receiver. His deep, smooth delivery carries a hint of the orator who honed his skills at Harvard.

“I’m fine, sir,” she replies. “Thank you for asking.”

“Janet tells me she sensed urgency when she answered your call. Has something critical come up?”

“Yes, sir, it has.” This president is so ready to face facts. What a difference a change of administration makes.

Egan had promoted Allison McDonald to CIA director from within the ranks upon his taking office, and has been entirely pleased with her performance in the two years since. She’d served as assistant director for five years prior. A petite brunette, five-foot-five, she has a figure of which she’s oblivious but which makes most men drool. Her ability to analyze and lead the CIA is second to none. As director, she has yet to overreact to a situation.

“Sources are telling us, Mr. President, that there’s imminent danger – nuclear danger – from Iran. I feel that you and your staff need to be brought up to speed. Quickly. I can make myself available for a meeting any time you choose.”

The president stands up, then begins to pace, as he usually does when taking calls that require his complete attention. He thinks best on his feet. “Allison, I thought that the IAEA reported finding no smoking guns in Iran in terms of a nuclear arms program – wasn’t that just a month ago?”