“Right now, we’re in a critical situation. The noises that you heard outside were the sounds of gunfire. Many are already dead, and we’ve got to stop this carnage before more lives are lost. I need you to get me to the Oval Office as quickly as possible so that I can address the nation.”
Lucas was still ashen and thought that he must be hallucinating. How could this apparition be real? The president was dead. He had seen the newscasts and heard first-hand accounts from other agents. He had been trained for every type of emergency and every dangerous situation, but this was totally unprecedented. He had no idea of what to say or do.
Not only was he shocked at the sight of the president, but also, he was incredulous that gunfire had erupted and that there had already been deaths. Had the terrorists struck again at the nation’s very heart?
After a few seconds, he pulled himself together and saluted the president sharply. His superb training and conditioning had kicked in, and he was now in control of the situation.
“Mr. President, forgive my lax moment. You can count on me and most of the other agents to protect you from harm.”
John broke into the conversation, “Lucas, the assassination attempt was made by a covert group intent on taking over the government. They’ve already infiltrated the military and even Congress. In fact, some of your group may now be in their pay. Think carefully, have you seen or heard anything that might be suspicious in these circumstances?”
“Sir, I can vouch for all of the regular agents. We’re a close bunch, and I’m sure that I would have picked up on it if something were amiss in our usual crew. However, President Montrose brought in four new agents. They don’t mix much with the rest of us, and they don’t seem to fit the mold. As far as I’m concerned, they look and act more like cheap hired guns. The other agents, down to every single person, have no respect for Montrose. In fact, our code name for her is Viper and it certainly fits.”
The president replied, “Thanks, I’m going to have to trust your judgment. Now, we need your help. We need to make arrangements for me to make that address to the nation immediately.
“We’ve got to get to the Oval Office without being discovered by Montrose, so we’re going to have to place ourselves in your hands. We’ve got to stop this attempted coup before it goes any further.
“I understand that my secretary is still here facilitating the transition to the Montrose staff. I need for you to call her and tell her that I’m still alive and that I’m going to make an address from the Oval Office. Tell her that I only want one camera. We’ve got to keep this under the radar, so Montrose isn’t suspicious that something’s going on. If she finds out that I’m here, it could be disastrous.”
John, obviously a bit startled, interrupted, “Montrose is in the White House?”
Lucas replied, “Yes, she is working on a speech in the Lincoln Room and has asked not to be disturbed.”
John tried to not appear as stunned as he was. He mentally said to himself, But Montrose is in custody aboard my space station. How can she be here?
Wilkinson rushed through a brief explanation for Lucas. “Montrose is a central player. She reports directly to the head of the organization, and she’s already responsible for several deaths in the military. She is to be taken into custody immediately, and I don’t have to remind you that she’s dangerous and probably psychotic to boot.”
“Mr. President, things have been in a state of chaos ever since she was sworn in. She’s totally out of control, and her actions confirm it.
“No one can understand why she moved Congress and all of the other VIPs out of Washington. They could easily have been protected here. It just didn’t make sense.
“I understand that under the circumstances, the military had to become involved, but she went full-out and declared martial law. That’s totally unprecedented. After what you’ve just told me, her actions are beginning to make sense. If she’s part of the plot, then I can assure you that the Secret Service will take great pride in defanging the Viper and her crew.”
He continued, “I’m going to contact Jonathon Gordon. You know him; he’s the senior agent on duty. We need good people to back us up if we’re going to succeed. He’s going to be overjoyed that you’re still alive and that Montrose isn’t the real president.”
Within minutes, Gordon had joined them in the Oval Office. He was still in a state of disbelief at seeing Henry Wilkinson alive when the door suddenly opened, and Carla Montrose stormed into the room. She was flanked by her four “Secret Service” appointees, who had already drawn their weapons.
John immediately stepped in front of the president, just in case. Gordon and Lucas had also jumped forward and positioned themselves to protect Wilkinson. The two agents probably thought that they might well be dead in a few seconds, but John had no such fears. He knew that Maxxine would use all her powers to protect him.
Carla Montrose was the first to speak. She was obviously in a cold fury, but her voice was chillingly calm. “Agent Gordon, you are to tell your men to lower their weapons immediately. I also order you to take this imposter into custody. He claims to be Henry Wilkinson, but he is not. You know very well that Wilkinson was killed in that horrible crash. This man is a lookalike, but even I can tell the difference.”
Agent Gordon looked closely at President Wilkinson and then he turned to President Montrose and looked her directly in the eyes. In his heart, he knew that this man was the real Wilkinson, but how could he prove it? Montrose was allegedly involved in the plot, but how could he prove that? He shook his head in dismay. With all of his experience and training, he was totally unprepared for the situation.
Finally, in frustration, he addressed both groups. “Everyone, just stay where you are. Holster your weapons and stand at ease until we sort this out.”
After several tense seconds, one by one, all agents, including Montrose’s men, returned their weapons to their shoulder holsters.
Moving to a position where he could see President Wilkinson better, Gordon stared intently at him.
He stood silently for a few moments while he weighed his options. How could he resolve the situation? What could he do to prove that the man calling himself Wilkinson was the real president?
“Sir, you look like President Wilkinson, and you sound like him, but, I’ve got to have some proof. I ask your forgiveness for the confusion.” He turned and winked at the president conspiratorially.
Then, turning to Montrose, “Madam President, your accusations have been noted. However, please understand that I must have proof positive that this man is or is not Henry Wilkinson.”
He spoke into the microphone attached to his sleeve, “Agent Crawford, are you there? Please bring Mrs. Wilkinson to the Oval Office at once. Please explain that her presence is urgently needed and that I apologize for any inconvenience in this time of grief.”
Crawford replied immediately, “Sir, I’m positioned just outside the residential quarters. We’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”
Gordon then spoke louder to all present, “Okay everyone stay put and quiet until I make a decision.”
Carla Montrose spoke through clenched teeth, “Damn you, Gordon, I will have your head for this.”
Gordon glared at her, “Madame President, with all due respect, the Secret Service is charged with protecting the president, and I’m trying to do just that. We are faced with an unprecedented situation here, and it must be sorted out. Now, please be patient for a few minutes.”
****
Colonel William A. Smith was shocked when he received the report from his executive officer about the fighting at the White House. “What the hell happened?”
“We don’t know for sure , sir, but there were a lot of casualties. The attack must have come from the air, but we are not sure of anything.”
The report indicated that the area of the White House had come under attack and all four of his Stryker armored vehicles and the entire platoon surrounding the compound had been destroyed.
Colonel Smith was both alarmed and a little frightened. Immediate response was required but he had no idea of exactly what to do.The soldiers and their vehicles had been totally incinerated. He had no idea where the attack originated or who originated it. There had been no intelligence, no warnings.
His military training took over and he calmed himself with a couple of deep breaths. He would act decisively and he would act now.
Colonel Smith immediately ordered another platoon and additional armored vehicles into the area as replacements. He also ordered an additional area of two blocks in all directions to be occupied by two additional platoons and another dozen armored vehicles.
He hesitated to storm the grounds of the White House until he had more intelligence on what had happened. He would wait for orders from his superiors.
****
John Scott had moved as far away from the group as possible and had been communicating with Maxxine for the past several minutes. He was furious.
“Maxxine, what’s going on? You assured me that Montrose was in custody, but she’s standing right in front of me in the Oval Office.”
Maxxine was stunned, “Impossible, I extracted her early this morning. She is in her cubicle. I am looking at her as we speak.”
“Maxxine, please verify the person you have is Carla Montrose, and if not, who the hell is she?”
A few tense seconds later Maxxine responded. Her voice was obviously very subdued, “Sir, I do not know how to tell you how sorry I am, but the person I have here has the transponder of Carla Montrose, but she is actually Mrs. Henry Wilkinson. Montrose seems to have Mrs. Wilkinson’s transponder. Somehow, the two have been switched. I have no idea how this could have happened.”
John was obviously upset, to say the least, but he controlled himself and said, “Maxxine, I want you to get a remote with Mrs. Wilkinson aboard on the way to the White House; and do it immediately!”
“Yes, sir, I am on it,” Maxxine replied.
“Oh, and one other thing, I also want you to send along Dr. Allen. Please figure out how to explain the situation to him without causing a heart attack. Tell him that he’s going to accompany the First Lady and prepare her for the shock of seeing that her husband is still alive. But do this while they are on their way here.”
Maxxine spoke gently, “This woman, who I believed to be Montrose, seems to have been drugged, probably by the real Montrose. I will give her something to help her regain her consciousness as quickly as possible.”
“Thanks, Maxxine, and I want you to land the craft bringing Mrs. Wilkinson and Dr. Allen at the closest entrance to the Oval Office. Protect them with a gravity shield. Instruct them to exit the craft and go straight to the entrance. There will be Secret Service agents there waiting to escort them to the Oval Office. Do this as fast as possible. We have a serious situation on our hands here.”
****
Gordon had already sent two agents to check on the First Lady’s whereabouts, not knowing of the switched identities. Within minutes, he got the response that he was not expecting. “Sir, she is nowhere to be found. The residence is empty, but it appears that there had been a struggle in the bedroom.
Once again, Montrose seethed and shouted at Gordon, “I am ordering you to stand down. I am the president, and if you do not obey my orders, I will have you shot.”
Montrose, barely in control of her rage, addressed Gordon again, almost shouting, “Call Dr. Newton. He was Wilkinson’s physician and personally witnessed his death. He will confirm that this man is an imposter.”
Gordon paused for a few moments, then took his radio and asked, “Who can please get Dr. Newton and bring him to the Oval Office?”
After a brief pause, came the reply from Newsome, “Here, sir, I am almost to Dr. Newton’s office as we speak; we’ll be there shortly.”
Agent Charlie Newsome was one of the largest and most muscular of the Secret Service staff. He was also one of the most even-tempered and congenial of the group, which made him a favorite.
Newsome tried the door to Dr. Newton’s office and was surprised to find it locked. That was both strange and against protocol. He knocked briskly and yelled, “Dr. Newton, this is Agent Newsome. You are needed in the Oval Office immediately.”
A haggard-looking Newton opened the door slowly and said, “I’ve been in a sorry state ever since I saw the president’s murder. That scene just keeps playing itself over and over in my head. I could have been in that ambulance. It’s horrible. I’ve not been sleeping so I just thought that I’d try to catch a few winks in my office. What’s going on? Who needs me?”
“Not sure, doc. I was just told that you’re needed in the Oval Office ASAP, so let’s move it.”
They rushed down the hall and entered. Newsome almost shoved the whining doctor into the room.
Agent Gordon motioned for Newton to come towards him, saying, “Dr. Newton, we have a bit of a conundrum here. I need you to tell me whether you recognize the gentleman standing there,” pointing at President Wilkinson.
Newton looked at Henry Wilkinson and almost fainted. Agent Gordon immediately grabbed his shoulders and steadied him.
“Sorry, Dr. Newton. I know how you feel. That man appears to be President Wilkinson. What I need is for you to tell me if he is Wilkinson or if he is an impostor. You may examine him if you need to.”
Newton, still visibly shaken, pointed a trembling finger towards Wilkinson. “I don’t need to examine this man. He can’t be the president because I witnessed his death.”
Carla Montrose once again lashed out, “There you have it! I demand that you end this ridiculous situation and arrest that impostor and the idiots who brought him here!”
John was seen whispering to the president, who then addressed Dr. Newton. “Dr. Newton, I insist you answer one question. As the president’s physician, why were you not in that ambulance with me rather than Dr. Allen?”
Carla started to speak, but Agent Gordon waved her to silence, saying, “Answer the question, Dr. Newton. We all want to know why you broke protocol on that particular day.”
While Newton was composing himself and preparing to answer, John leaned close to Lucas and told him to go outside and escort the two recent arrivals into the Oval Office.
Lucas motioned Gordon over and quietly informed him that there were two people who had just arrived who could shed light on the circumstances. He just needed to go outside and escort them to the Oval Office.
Gordon nodded his approval. Lucas turned and left the room.
Dr. Newton, obviously taking a long time to compose his answer to the question, finally spoke. His voice was a bit stronger and had a small touch of medical authority about it. “Due to the extremely serious condition of the president at the time, I considered it best that Dr. Allen ride in the ambulance with him. Then I could be free to call ahead and consult with the Emergency Department at Bethesda on the President’s critical condition. It was a difficult choice for me to make, but I felt it necessary at the time. I’ll always feel like I should have been in that ambulance with him, but I guess fate just intervened on my behalf.”
Wilkinson raised his hand to silence Newton. “Dr. Newton, how stupid do you think we are? That ambulance is a mobile intensive care unit and it’s equipped with state of the art two-way radios, not to mention equipment that transmits the patient’s EKG and vital signs to the emergency department. On board, you also had EMTs, who are more skilled than many physicians in delivering emergency care at the scene and in transit. So, don’t give me that lame excuse that you needed to communicate with the staff. That ambulance would have been in constant communication with them along the route.”
Newton stood, mouth agape, and then bowed his head. “Okay, you’re right. I haven’t worked in a real emergency situation in years. To be honest, I was terrified that I would make a mistake that might cost the president his life. I panicked. I knew that Dr. Allen was far more up to date on emergency procedures than me. That’s why I sen
t him in the ambulance.”
Wilkinson now pointed his finger at Newton, “Good story but not true. I know exactly what happened and what you did. Let’s just say that it’s going to be time to pay the piper very, very soon.”
With that, he turned away from Newton as if he no longer existed. Newton simply stood there without saying another word.
Just then, the door opened and Lucas led the two people who could resolve the issue into the Oval Office. Dr. Roger Allen supported the First Lady and guided her gently as they entered. It was obvious that she was still rather groggy from the sedative that Montrose had ordered given to her. She looked around with a drowsy look at the group and then her eyes moved to the face of her husband. She shook her head from side to side, trying to clear it. She mumbled something softly but even Dr. Allen, still holding her upright, couldn’t understand what she said.
Wesley Newton saw Dr. Allen and crumpled to the floor in a dead faint. No one bothered to assist him.
Montrose, upon seeing the First Lady, attempted to dart for the door, but Lucas Siegel and two other Secret Service Agents caught her before she was halfway there. Her agents, all four of them, immediately raised their hands and placed them atop their heads. So much for loyalty and dedication to the cause.
Henry Wilkinson stepped over the inert form of the unconscious Dr. Newton and placed his arm around his wife to support her. Dr. Allen backed away, leaving him to hold her upright. He reached down, raised her chin, and kissed her gently. Her eyes fluttered, and she began to wake up. Wilkinson guided her to a nearby sofa and placed her in a prone position with a cushion behind her head. He sat beside her and whispered softly, encouraging her to wake up and open her eyes. Slowly, very slowly, she began to stir and began to fight off the effects of the drug. It took a supreme effort and all her remaining energy, but she was beginning to make progress.
The president began to whisper to her that he was alive and that her nightmare was over. He assured her that she was safe, and Dr. Allen would care for her while he made a brief speech to the nation. She nodded weakly and, as his words penetrated her fog, she was able to smile and give her thanks to God for this miracle.
The Krakow Klub Page 35