“Ladies and gentlemen, I've asked Fritz to join us because his research and subsequent practical application have made it possible for you to get here so quickly.” The president cut short the Speaker's interruption, holding up his hand. “We are now sitting in New Jersey.”
“Oh, come … on. You don't expect us to believe that,” the Speaker said. The vice president began to chuckle. The others looked at each other. “Fritz, would you like to show everyone the trophy case?” The president nodded to go ahead. His look, like Jane's, said everything would be all right.
“OH, MY GOD,” Linda said. “I can't believe he said that.” They heard the squeak of chairs on the floor and the door opening as the meeting adjourned for a walk down the hall.
Fritz led them past the rows of lockers and the green tiled walls. Shoes tapping the granite floor made the only sounds. At the end of the hall, a glass-enclosed case exhibited a variety of sports memorabilia and trophies. On the wall above it, a sign said, “Riverboro High School. Congratulations New Jersey Division 3 Football Champs.”
“Look at the trophies, closely,” said the president. The group spread along the case, still not speaking. Footsteps announced someone's approach.
Dressed in his coach's jacket, startled, Al said, “Sorry, Fritz. I didn't know anyone would be here. Hi, Mr. President.”
“Mr. Kennedy,” the president acknowledged. “I'd like to introduce you all to Al Kennedy, Riverboro High's football coach. Congratulations on your fine season, Coach.”
“Thanks, Mr. President. I didn't mean to interrupt. Sorry.” Al looked closely at the crowd. He recognized people he had only seen on TV. “Holy mackerel.” The vice president finally laughed and introduced himself. He shook Al's hand and said, “Nice to meet another Irishman.”
“This is pretty elaborate, Mr. President. How much did this cost the taxpayers? This doesn't prove anything to me,” the Speaker said.
Al looked over the vice president's shoulder and got mad, rising to his full, intimidating height. “It didn't cost us taxpayers anything. This is Riverboro High School in New Jersey. I know who you are. Fritz has done things to make this country safe. The portal's real. Last night, we captured a stolen nuke, and…” Al stopped. “Sorry, Mr. President.”
“Couldn't have said it better myself, Mr. Kennedy. I think we should go back to work.” The return to the classroom wasn't as quiet. Al gripped Fritz's arm. “I'm really sorry, Fritz. Would you tell the President? I hope I didn't screw anything up.”
“It'll be okay, Al. You may have done him a favor. Talk to you later.”
The president waited for him at the door. “That wasn't planned, but it couldn't have worked out better. Thank him for me. I'm going over the Middle East outline next. You can go back to Linda. Later, we'll take the Speaker home first.” He removed a sheet of paper from his jacket pocket. “The Speaker's house. We'll go to the living room. Here.” He tapped the floor plan. In small print in the corner was a GPS icon “It'll be a while yet.”
The president began again. “One reason we're here was to show you a momentous discovery that gives us the carrot and the stick we need to get the world's attention. Now I want to discuss a proposal to end the Middle East conflict.”
“When do we see this new discovery?” asked the Speaker.
The President gritted his teeth, glanced briefly at the Speaker, and asked Jane to pass out the folders. She handed them to each person individually and smiled at the Speaker, taking more time in front of him than necessary. The president asked them to open the packet to page five.
“You will see two maps. The top is the current Middle East. On the bottom is a new map that adds a State of Palestine.” He waited for them to look it over. “Without a nation of their own, the Palestinians will continue to be used by other countries to perpetuate conflict.”
General Beech said, “Mr. President, we've had this discussion before, you and I. I can't help but wonder if Major Barclay put this together.”
“She did, General, but not alone.”
“Then I want to say something on the record. Dr. Barclay and I have argued about this for seven years. And I have reached a conclusion. Without reading a word, you can depend on the data, the analysis, and the conclusion.”
“Thank you, General,” said the president.
The Speaker scowled, having expected the general to scoff. “I can see I'm outnumbered here. I'll take this and look it over, but I see no reason to stay.” He pushed back his chair and started to stand.
“Sit. Down.” Angrier than anyone except Jane had seen him, the president said, “I need you, and our country needs you, to be here now. You'll leave when I'm done.” Not happy with being publicly humiliated, the Speaker resumed his seat.
ASHLEY SAID, “Wow. He's really pissed.”
“This is too important to play politics. The Speaker hasn't had enough of a shock yet,” said Colonel Mitchell, chuckling.
Chapter 6
“NOW. THE bottom map,” said the president. “We've created a country for the Palestinians and a buffer zone between Israel and the other countries. Remember that the Brits and the French did this in the early twentieth century, but didn't account for all the cultural issues. The culture and history are all outlined inside.”
The meeting continued, but few seemed convinced. The concept of a U.S.-driven nation-building effort, even with massive development programs, seemed like it would be an impossible sell to the leaders in the Middle East.
The president knew he needed to push harder. “Fritz, will you all come in please?” He waited for them, Fritz, Ashley, Linda with TJ, and Colonel Mitchell. Before the door closed, he asked James and Mel to come too.
“General, Admiral, you both know Colonel Mitchell. Colonel, would you describe the missions you have performed.”
“Certainly, Mr. President.” He made eye contact with everyone before he spoke. “The President has already told you what we accomplished. What he didn't say was that we entered Naria, Israel, Pakistan, Switzerland, and Russia through the door across the hall. Mr. Speaker, you asked what the new discovery is. It's a tunnel that allows us to move anywhere in the world, and from what I've heard, it's also a portal into the past.”
“From what you've heard?”
Fritz stepped forward. “I've met with Robert E. Lee six times, witnessed the Triangle Fire, met William Shakespeare, heard the end of the Gettysburg Address, rescued the president from the Geneva meeting attack, and…” He hesitated and looked at the president. Ashley didn't wait. “I helped rescue the Israelis from the settlement, and last night, I saw President Putin standing just outside this room.” The meeting erupted into chaos.
“The night we went to Israel, Jerry Burnett died,” said the colonel, looking at General Beech and Admiral Davis. “We carried him from this room. We killed the thieves who stole the Russian nuke and brought it back through that door.”
The president said, “Gentlemen, ladies, Mr. Speaker, this isn't a theatrical production. Last night, the Russians saw what we can do. The Israeli Prime Minister knows. The Narians have never figured it out. You were sitting in Washington and now you're in New Jersey. The portal is our stick. We can go anywhere, at any time. That's real power.”
“Why have I not been told?” asked the secretary of state.
“Would you, would any of you have believed it? These people,” pointing to Fritz, Linda, and Ashley, “have put their lives on hold and on the line for the country. At Thanksgiving, the existence of the portal was leaked, and they were in danger. The leaker is dead.” He looked squarely at the secretary of state. “You haven't been told until today because this is as much a secret weapon as the atomic bomb was when even Vice President Truman wasn't told of it.”
The room filled anew with indecipherable noise, questions, and comments. Only when TJ began to cry did the cacophony subside.
“Why is a baby here?” asked the Speaker.
Before the president could answer, Linda said, “We didn't
have time to find a babysitter and we wanted him to have company. We figured you'd do fine.”
The vice president broke out laughing.
General Beech said, “Mr. President, I'd like to ask Dr. Barclay a question.” The president gestured for him to go ahead. “I'll read the details later, but how do you plan to make this work?”
“General, that's the easy part. Another summit, including the leaders of each country in the region plus the Chinese, Russians, Japanese, Germans, French, British, Turks, Brazilians, Indians, and South Africans. In this room. It will be renovated for the meeting. The president will show them the portal. The carrot and the stick. We expect the countries with resources to share them. They'll all get the message.”
“And what if they don't?” asked the Speaker.
Jane looked at the president. He waved his left hand as if to say keep going. “Mr. Speaker,” she continued, “there are maps and floor plans of pretty much every building in the world. They're pretty easy to get.” The President handed her a folded sheet of paper. She opened it and handed it to the Speaker. “This is your house, isn't it?” He looked down, and then raised his eyes to meet hers. “We have access to every location in the world.”
Fritz said, “I worked on an experiment with General Lee to pinpoint exactly where we go, and we've had occasion to need that accuracy. Like getting the president out of Geneva or putting Colonel Mitchell's troops into underground nuclear facilities. This is real, Mr. Speaker.” Fritz looked at the president, an apology on his face.
“Maybe it IS time for you to go home, Jack. The rest of you can stand in the hall. Fritz.”
“Yes, sir.” He winked at Linda, patted TJ on the head, and walked out. Tony waited on a chair, reading. Fritz told him to get ready. He set the paperclip and returned to the hall as the group assembled. When the president entered the hallway, he motioned to Fritz and told the Speaker to look through the window in the door.
“It looks like a classroom. So what?”
“Fritz,” prompted the president. The cabinet members and advisors gathered by the doorway. Fritz twisted the knob and pulled. The president guided the Speaker through the door. Audible inhaling and soft comments broke the suspense. “Wow,” said the secretary of state as the scene changed to a living room. The president waved to close the door. His classroom reappeared in the window.
“How does this work?” asked Admiral Davis.
“Sorry sir,” Fritz said. “I'm not sure you have the clearance. You'll have to ask the president.” The vice president laughed again.
“What's so funny, Joe?” asked the admiral.
“He's messing with you, Admiral, and unless I'm way off, he's enjoying it.” The vice president continued. “Folks, for the past eight months, we've put these people through hell. We've asked them to do things we couldn't have done without them. In spite of the danger, these two gentlemen put on body armor and rescued the president with a couple of local cops. They brought out James and Mel also. You need to know this because they're civilians. Teachers.”
“Mel and the late Tom Andrews rescued the ambassador and his family,” the secretary of defense added. “I found out about the portal during the summer, but this is the first time I've seen it.”
“And now, you all know about it,” said Fritz. “I worry every minute of every day that someone's going to spill the story. My family is in jeopardy. For us, it's not a political toy. So, Admiral, I'm not being a wise ass. And clearance is determined by me, not the president. So you all better help him make this happen. It'll be about time.” They all looked as if they had been slapped.
When the door opened and the president returned, the Speaker followed a few steps behind. Before he crossed the threshold, he looked over his shoulder at his living room. “Fritz, close the door,” said the president. “Everyone stay here for a second.” The president mouthed “open it” to Fritz and told everyone to follow him. When everyone had entered, he asked Fritz to tell everyone where they were.
“Mr. President, as you know, this is my classroom. Mr. Speaker, if you look out this window, to that wall, the school name is on the building.” A few of the others crept closer to look out the window. “Mr. President, if you don't mind, would you get your meeting going. I spend too much time here already. This is Christmas break.”
The president patted his arm and whispered, “You're the tough guy now. Good job. Set the portal to the Speaker's bedroom. He'll go home first when we're done.”
ASHLEY GLANCED at his watch. “Jeez, it's already lunchtime. Should we get some food?”
“I don't know what the president wants to do,” said the colonel.
“I'll go ask,” said Fritz, and he walked down the hall. “Sorry, Mr. President. I just wanted to know if you wanted lunch.”
“It's that late?” Fritz later said that the president was looking at the Speaker when he said, “Time flies when you're having fun. Excuse me for a moment.”
In the hall, the president said, “I thought it might take this long. Sorry Fritz. I told the kitchen to make up platters, but I planned to eat at the White House. But since we've made some progress, I'd rather eat here.” The president scratched gently behind his left ear. “We'll have to get it. I don't know what they prepared, so we might need a couple of trips.”
“Mr. President, I'll get Ash. And maybe these guys?” Fritz said, pointing to the soldiers in the hall.
“I have a better idea. How about we ask our guests to help?” A sly grin sneaked out.
“That works for me. I'll set the portal.”
Fritz went into his classroom and the president asked for help. The Speaker was the first to volunteer and sped out the door. Fritz opened the portal and the Speaker, the CIA director, the secretary of state, and three soldiers followed the president back to the Oval Office. The rest of the officials waited by the doorway, staring at their morning's starting point.
“Hmmm. Looks like the President's office to me,” said the vice president. “I thought we just saw a classroom, or was it a living room?”
“Subtle, Mr. Vice President,” said General Beech. Then he turned to Fritz and asked, “You really met Robert E. Lee?” Fritz nodded. “How did he react?”
“General, it's a long story. But I will tell you he was more receptive and curious than what I've seen today. I'd be glad to tell you more some other time.”
“What's your name?”
“Don't answer, Fritz.” The vice president jumped in and said, “General, right now we're still establishing security protocols for these folks. You'll find out later.”
“We're the good guys, Joe,' said General Beech.
Fritz interrupted. “Right under the nose of one of the people here,” Fritz looked at the admiral, “a conspiracy almost succeeded in killing the president.” The vice president said to drop it.
The door remained open, and in minutes, a parade of food platters walked through the Oval Office in the hands of leaders of the government, including the president. “The bread is fresh, and I recommend the corned beef and pastrami,” he said.
The group ate at their desks. Linda, Ashley, and the agents and soldiers were invited to join them. Everyone glanced from time to time at Fritz.
“Let's get back to work. Jane will explain the details.” For the next half hour, she laid out the plan. The non-participants had followed Linda to Ashley's classroom and settled in front of Ashley's computer. TJ watched from his swing.
Jane rattled them when she presented the proposed finances. The multi-trillion dollar cost of a variety of projects started a discussion about who would pay. The president looked to the Speaker but said nothing. In short order, dead silence replaced the conversation.
“Mr. President, this borders on foolhardy,” said the Speaker. “Congress will never approve even a portion of this amount.”
“Mr. Speaker, if some of your members need convincing, I'm sure I can help. The minority leader is already on board. These costs will be shared. Will be.”
“At this moment, no. I haven't asked. But I think Fritz has a way to convince the recalcitrant. Wouldn't you agree?”
The battle of wills echoed mythological battles of the gods, lightning flashing from eye to eye. When the flames died, the president said, “Jack, you have a century of peace, or war, in your hands. I know where your campaign funds come from. It will take courage. I also know, from my conversation with Putin last night,” he pointed at the door, “that he can be convinced. But this has to be a united effort. Now once again, America must lead. We've done it before. It's the right thing to do. It will pay for itself. No country can match us if we gear up to make it happen. Jack, I need your help.” The president sat down. Fritz thought, If silence is golden, this is Fort Knox. “I think we have a good start. Please read the folder. I am going to ask you each to swear to protect the secrecy of the portal,” and he went person to person for a verbal answer. “Got that, Fritz?” An email arrived, which Jane shoved in front of the president. Lips pursed, he said, “Fritz heard every word.”
The president adjourned the meeting, and Fritz returned to the hall. The portal opened, the president and Speaker crossed the threshold, and Fritz shut the door. In a short moment, the president returned. “Sorry Jack, I forgot your car is at the White House.” The Speaker glared at Fritz, who grinned in response. With the portal properly reset to the Oval Office, everyone now returned to where they had started the day. As he left, the vice president squeezed Fritz's arm and winked again. The president whispered, “Wait here. I'll be right back.” Fritz let the door close. With his phone in his hand, he remained by the door, his neck and shoulders relaxing. The others joined him as fingers of afternoon sunlight reached down the hall. Linda was about to pass TJ to him when his phone rang.
“Hi, Mr. President. Give me a second.”
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