Page 266 of Incisive

“Thank you.” Jordan’s scowl matches my confusion as I lift the handset and punch into the call. “Hey, what’s—”

“Elliot, shut down all the ports.Now.”

A blizzard-worthy chill sweeps through me. “What?”

“We’re under attack. A wave of bomb threats are being called in at airports all over the country, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa just got bombed, and it looks like ports in San Francisco and LA are under attack. Deploy the Coast Guard and Homeland Security and shut down all the ports.Rightnow.”

CHAPTERSIXTY-NINE

I snapmy fingers to get Jordan’s attention and point at the wonks, then the door. He scrambles to help them gather their things and usher them out.

“If you don’t already have someone from the Watch Team running upstairs to brief you,” Leo continues, “I imagine you will shortly. Call DHS and shut down all the—oh,fuck.”

“What?”

“Reports of explosions at the port in Houston. Have them halt all movement through the river locks at New Orleans, too. If they’re attacked, it’ll shut down the entire Mississippi River. And close the Great Lakes’ ports and locks.”

Jordan stands on the far side of my desk, hands braced on it as he watches me. I look up at him. “Tell Suzanne I need the DNI and the DHS secretary ASAP. I also want the FAA director. We’re closing all ports and grounding all non-military air traffic immediately.”

Jordan nods and bolts for the phone on the end table by one of the sofas.

At this second I can’t do anything until I have people either in front of me or on the phone to issue orders to. “Leo, how are you getting me intel faster than the people paid to do that?”

“Coincidental timing. I’d just opened my personal Twitter account and started fucking around on it when alerts for the InfoSec lists and accounts I follow lit up all at once. El, this is worse in scope than 9/11. They’re choking off critical shipping. It has to be a coordinated attack.” I hear a keyboard clicking. “I don’t see reports of attacks in other countries, just here.”

I start rubbing my forehead as I feel a migraine threatening. “Don’t expect me for dinner, Master,” I say without thinking.

“Hey, listen.” I close my eyes as his calming voice fills my ear. “Deep breaths, pet. You’vegotthis. One step at a time. Keep Jordan at your side. You need to move downstairs—head there now. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

“Go on, and tell the boy I love him, too. Donotworry about me. I’m sure my detail will be in here any moment.” He hangs up.

I stand, grabbing my jacket from the back of my chair and pulling it on. I know Leo means head to the PEOC but that’s not my destination.

Special Agent Lyman and several members of my Secret Service detail burst into the room. “Sir, we’re moving you down to the PEOC. Now. There’s a—”

“Negative,” I say, rounding the desk. “Yes, I know about the attacks. Crash the White House but Jordan and I are moving to the SitRoom. Jordan, have everyone brought there, transfer all calls there, and follow me as soon as you can.” I motion to one of the agents. “Stay with Jordan and bring him to the SitRoom once he’s finished in here. Find Casey-Marie and Declan and bring them, too. If they’re not in the building, get them here.”

“Yes, Mister President,” the agent says.

Surrounded by my detail, I break into a jog and head down the hallway to the elevator. I know the head of my detail is likely upset I’m breaking protocols but I’m not retreating to the bunker deep below the White House. Not yet, anyway. I need to be in a room with people who can answer my questions and carry out my orders without additional delays. Depending on what’s happening I can move deeper later. For now, the SitRoom is as far as I go.

As we all crowd into the elevator I address Lyman. “Move Mr. Cruz down to the PEOC ASAP. Evacuate the Vice President and his entire family from DC immediately. Make sure the Cabinet and Congressional leaders have been located and secured pending further orders.”

“Mister President, our procedures—”

“Fuck procedures.” I glare at him. “I gave you a direct order.Doit.”

“Yes, sir.” He speaks into his radio and relays my orders. Leo might not like me breaking SOP but if he’s down in the bunker then there’s absolutely no way he’ll be a distraction with me concerned about his safety. With Jordan safely at my side, I won’t be worried about him, either. And getting Ciro out of DC means if something happens to me at least the continuity of government is ensured.

Another thought strikes me. “Make sure my parents and sister are secured. And make sure Mr. Cruz’s family is secured and safe. And President Samuels’ and her family.”

“Yes, Mister President.”

My parents’ detail can evacuate them to Offutt, should the need arise. Stella, however, might very well become a target because she doesn’t have a Secret Service detail.

Although it wouldn’t bother me if someone takes Ellis out. Not that I’ll ever admit that to anyone except Leo and Jordan.