CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
9:50 a.m. Eastern Standard Time
The Oval Office
The White House, Washington, DC
“Okay, Kurt,” Susan said. “Let me have it.”
Susan sat in a high-backed linen chair in the sitting area of the Oval Office. Beneath her feet was the Seal of the President of the United States. Just across from her was Kurt Kimball, sitting in an identical chair. His size made him seem a bit uncomfortable, too broad for the confines of the chair.
An aide had just brought her another cup of coffee. She sipped it; it was good. They always served good coffee here—Susan demanded it. In some ways, the coffee was the best thing about this job. Maybe it would get her going again. The day had barely started, and already she was slipping.
Man, she was tired.
Outside the tall windows, it was a
