The Ajax Protocol

CHAPTER 31

The call from the White House caught Elizabeth by surprise.

"I've been summoned to the White House," she said to Stephanie. "Edmonds has something on his mind."

"What do you think he wants?"

"I have no idea, but I doubt that it's good news. The man has never liked me."

"I wonder if it has anything to do with Alaska?" Stephanie said.

"Only one way to find out."

An hour later Elizabeth was at the White House. A Secret Service agent escorted her to the Vice President's office. Edmonds was behind his desk, reading something. He didn't bother standing when she came into the room.

"Mister Vice President," she said.

"Take a seat, Director." Edmonds didn't look at her. He gestured at a chair in front of the desk.

She sat down and noticed that the chair seemed slightly lower than normal. It had the effect of putting anyone who sat in it lower than the desk. Already a small woman, Elizabeth was forced to look up toward Edmonds behind his desk.

So it's going to be like that, is it? Elizabeth thought. She controlled her anger. What a cheap trick. That son of a bitch put this chair here on purpose.

Edmonds continued reading for another minute. He set the document down and looked at her for the first time.

"I'll get right to the point, Harker. It's come to my attention that you have been interfering in a classified military operation code-named Ajax."

Elizabeth's expression revealed nothing. Without meaning to, Edmonds had told her something she hadn't known. Now that she had the name of the program, she'd be able to find out everything about it. She would get Stephanie on it as soon as she got back to Virginia.

"I'm not sure that I follow you, sir," Elizabeth said.

"Oh, I think you do. The President has seen fit to overlook your indiscretions in the past. This meeting is to clear up any misconceptions you may have about the way I view your unit and your methods of operation."

"I'm sure your observations will be helpful, sir."

"Are you trying to be funny, Director?"

"Of course not, sir." Asshole.

"Your meddling may have seriously compromised our security. I cannot allow you to continue. The undisciplined way in which you and your team approach issues affecting our nation's well being is unacceptable. As of this moment, you will immediately cease any activity associated with Ajax. I'm putting a hold on your unrestricted security clearance pending review."

"With all due respect, Mister Vice President, only President Rice has the authority to do that."

"Well, Harker, President Rice isn't here right now. You're on notice. Any more interference and there will be serious consequences."

Elizabeth wanted to throw something at him.

"That's all," Edmonds said. "You know the way out."

Sometimes when she felt stressed or angry, Elizabeth would remember something her father had said. A memory surfaced now.

Judge Harker had been sitting in his favorite green chair, a glass of aged Kentucky bourbon in his hand. A crackling fire balanced the cold of a Colorado winter outside the windows of his den. Elizabeth had been 20 years old, home on a winter break from college. They'd been talking about the cultural gender gap.

"There will always be men who don't respect women," her father had said. "You can't change them, but you don't have to put up with it. Sometimes you can walk away. Sometimes you have to demand respect."

Looking at this pompous man sitting across from her, Elizabeth knew she should keep quiet, but this was one of those times when her personal sense of integrity demanded more than walking away. She stood.

"Mister Vice President, you have no conception of what my unit does or how it acts to safeguard our nation's security. I find your implications insulting. I don't know who has been feeding you misinformation, but I'll find out. When I do, I will take whatever steps I feel are necessary to protect the national interest. In the meantime, I will continue to act with the authority of the President."

Edmonds pursed his lips and frowned. He looked as if he had eaten something unpleasant. Elizabeth looked down at the chair she'd been sitting in and back up at Edmonds.

"By the way," she said, "you might want to get a carpenter in here to fix this chair."

She turned her back on him and walked away.