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THE WHITE HOUSE
THE WHITE HOUSE
The President called for a meeting with Hanneman immediately after reading the morning newspaper. His chief political advisor had opted for a walk in the rose garden away from the microphone system in the Oval Office. He was waiting when Robert Haskill stepped outside and walked toward him.
"Thanks for the warning, Tom. What if I have to make a statement? How am I going to do that without ending up saying that the administration believes the story? If we go that far, we may as well join the CFC." Haskill had the perturbed look that he always got when he discovered news in the newspaper.
"Sir, this one caught us by surprise, too. I didn't have any of my people in that hospital, but there's enough confusion about what happened -- along with some absolutely rabid Fundies -- that we can soften this story. We're already working on it." Hanneman reported.
"What have you got to work with? Enough to justify 'No Comment' from the White House without getting me a black eye? This is just the kind of crap that Mr. and Mrs. America eat for breakfast. See, Tom, even no comment could creep back to haunt me if I wind up debating Oxford." The President was beyond irritated and edgy but not yet in a panic. "For Christ's sake how does this guy think he can just show up in my country and start doing stuff like this? This may be Brazil stuff, but it's damned sure not America stuff!"
"Mr. President, it doesn't matter if it was a trick or mass hypnosis. We're putting out both stories under the names of some PhD experts we keep around for just this sort of thing. At least Jesus Robeles isn't talking. That helps." Hanneman explained.
"Who else was there?" asked the President.
"The hospital staff said there was an officer whom we believe to be General Justus Tower and two enlisted Marines. The enlisted men either didn't see anything or have been ordered silent. We were going to pick them up for an interview with truth drugs, but they've been transferred. Veemer told me that their paperwork is screwed up and it might be a few days until he can find them." Hannemen said.
"Maybe we should ask Jesus where they are?" responded Haskill sarcastically. "Do you think I should call Tower in to the Commander in Chief? See if I can get anything out of him?"
"That might work, Sir, but I would be very cagey with that man. I don't have high confidence in his trustworthiness. His behavior has shown a tilt toward Robeles and away from his duties in the United States Marine Corps. In terms of mission, he is doing exactly what you told him to do. He has established a working relation with Jesus which has sufficient value that you probably shouldn't can him. At least not now." Tom Hanneman strategized.
"I guess he has a close enough relation to go out and bring people back from the dead with his barefoot Brazilian friend. That sounds pretty cozy." the President said wryly.
"I wouldn't even say that among your friends, Sir. As far as we're concerned we don't know what happened, but we're sure that didn't happen." Hanneman looked at his watch. "Just remember that we don't trust General Tower. He's not a traitor, but he's not interested in helping with the election, if you know what I mean." This meeting was over.
