CHAPTER TWELVE
1:45 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
The Situation Room
The White House, Washington, DC
“What time is it there?” Susan said.
Kurt looked at his watch. “Ah, about a quarter to nine at night. We’re scheduled to talk to him at nine.”
Susan nodded. “Okay. Give me the elevator pitch.”
She looked around the room, packed as usual. Kurt stood at the far end of the oblong table, in his customary position. Haley Lawrence sat at the table among a sea of generals and admirals, a few of them women, Susan was gratified to notice. The edges of the room were full of aides and assistants.
“We’ve got a crisis unfolding,” Kurt said. “And we’ve got to step carefully. That’s the message.”
Susan made a spinning motion with her hand, as if to say, Get on with it.
“As most people here will kno
