Page 60 of The First Gentleman

CHAPTER 56

The White House

C ole Wright sits alone in his East Wing office.

He’s decided, to borrow a phrase from his football days, that it’s time to call an audible.

Cole presses the intercom buzzer.

His assistant, Jason Rollins, instantly enters the office, legal pad in hand.

“Listen carefully,” says Cole.

“Cancel all my appointments for the rest of the day. Contact the White House travel office and the military liaison. I want a plane ready to go within the hour. Half-day trip. Quick turnaround. Tell Lambert I want a minimal detail, and make sure he’s on the flight with me.”

“Yes, sir.”

“One more thing,” says Cole.

“And this is the tricky part. I don’t want one word, one syllable, of this to get to the West Wing, especially to the president or Pearce. This is between you, me, Lambert, and the flight crew. My wife is tied up in meetings on the Hill all afternoon anyway. I should be back before she’s done.”

“Understood, sir,” says Rollins.

“Destination?”

“Hanover, New Hampshire.”