Chapter 17Friday, Labor Day weekend
A KNOCK ON the door raised the president's head. Ms. Crispin informed him that Tom Andrews had requested to see him, without an appointment.
“He doesn't need one. Show him in.” She held the door.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Hi, Tom, what can I do for you?”
“Sir, could we step outside?”
As they headed for the South Lawn, the president waved his secret service agents to stay back. When they had moved far enough, Tom told the president that he'd picked up a conversation about America's new secret weapon. The call originated from a government phone in the State Department. Tom said he had tracked it to Virginia, but no record of the number existed. “I wanted to let you know right away, sir.”
“Where in State did it come from?”
“The Middle East people. No na
