Silent Waters

Chapter 67

John Penn threw his reading glasses on the desk and ran a tired hand down his face. “I’m done, boys.”

“Five more minutes. Let me check out this last one,” McCarthy pleaded, taking a fax from Greg and perusing the page.

John knew it wouldn’t be five minutes. They were waiting for the results of the latest poll they were running, based on the unsubstantiated report that the plane crash in Branford Connecticut had Hartford hijackers on board.

This fax was from Oregon. Then they had to wait for Washington State. Then it’d be the big one, California. And it didn’t matter that they thought they had California wrapped up last week.

The inner circle of staff members — and John — had stayed up to make sure the phone surveys matched their expectations. If they didn’t, McCarthy wouldn’t stop whining until John would agree to some last minute television or radio interview.

So much for not campaigning today.

The phone rang. John looked at the display and recognized the number. It was the public line to his office. At this time on any other night, the answering machine would greet the caller. But tonight, one of the weary campaign aides answered the call.

John heard the young woman start her standard screening questions, but she quickly turned to him.

“It’s for you, Senator,” she told him, mouthing that it was important.

John considered letting either Moore or McCarthy handle the call. Whoever was on the phone couldn’t be a family member or a member of any of the Senate committees; they would have called on his private line. But he changed his mind and decided to take it.

“Senator Penn.” The voice was sharp, and John could hear sirens and shouting in the background.

“Speaking.”

“Sir, this is Commander Bruce Dunn, one of the two Naval Intelligence officers put in charge of the investigation of the Hartford hijacking this morning. My colleague and I report to Admiral Meisner.”

Penn knew Meisner and his job at the Pentagon. “What can I do for you, Commander?”

“Sir, we’re presently getting picked up by the New Haven, Connecticut, Police for questioning. In my company is the other investigator in charge of this case, Lieutenant Connelly, and the only two survivors from Hartford, Commander McCann and the Electric Boat ship superintendent, Amy Russell.”

Penn didn’t know the two had survived. None of this had been released to the public.

“We also have with us the dead body of the individual who claimed responsibility for spearheading the hijacking. His name was Captain Ramsey Barnhardt.”

Penn’s mind reeled with all the information. He’d met Barnhardt, heard him speak at a number of Senate hearings a few years back. An arrogant bastard, but well qualified.

“Captain Barnhardt took responsibility for the hijacking?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why are you calling me, Commander, and not Admiral Meisner?”

“Because prior to being shot by those who’ve been pursuing us, sir, Captain Ramsey accused the President of United States of being the one who ordered the hijacking.”

“Shit.” Penn wasn’t aware that he’d sworn aloud. Everyone in the room was staring at him.

“Sir, at this point we don’t know who’s involved in the conspiracy. You’re the only person we’re contacting for assistance.”

“Of course. Of course.” Penn started pacing, motioning for his staff to stop what they were doing. “Are you in any present danger, Commander Dunn?”

“We’ve been requested to go to the New Haven Police Station for questioning. We’re certain, however, that our pursuers are no farther away than the crowd’s edge.” Dunn paused. “Sorry sir, they’re telling me to cut the call and get in the car.”

“That’s a good idea, Commander. Stay safe. I’ll take care of things from this end.”

Penn hadn’t even hung up before his shouts rang into the room. “Gibbs, I need a helicopter to take me to New Haven. And I want it escorted by military choppers.” He whirled on the other aides. “We have to make some calls, and I don’t care what time it is. Wake them up if you have to, but get all these people on the phone. Tell them it’s a matter of national security, of life and death. I want calls to the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, both Senate Leaders, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General—”

“What’s this about?” McCarthy interrupted him.

“I was just told that Will Hawkins has committed the most reprehensible act that a sitting President could ever do. He ordered an act that has put more than ten million American’s lives in danger.”

“That’s great,” McCarthy replied. “I’ll put a press conference together right away.”

“Cut the crap, Anthony,” Penn snapped. “All of that has to wait. We have to take care of this country and its people first.”

“I have the Vice President on line, Senator,” one of the aides called from the other end of the room.

“Why are you calling so many of them?” McCarthy asked.

“Because one or two might be in on this. But all of them?” He shook his head. “My long held faith in the system of checks and balances has just been reaffirmed.”

Penn pressed the blinking light and picked up the phone. “Mr. Vice President. Before I give you a run down of the disaster we have on our hands, you should know that this same phone call is being made to the Attorney General and every member of the President’s Cabinet.”