Lammelle stood, and said, “And now you’ll have to excuse me, I have an appointment at the White House.”
[TWELVE]
The Situation Room
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
1005 14 February 2007
“I’m so glad you could join us, Mr. Lammelle,” the President said sarcastically.
“Sir, it’s a longer walk here from the Monica Lewinsky Motel than I remembered. My apologies for being late.”
“No problem, if you remembered to bring your resignation with you.”
“I’ll give it verbally and leave right now, if that is your desire, Mr. President.”
Lammelle looked around the room. It was nowhere near close to capacity. The secretaries of State and Defense were seated at the large table, as were the director of Central Intelligence, the attorney general, the director of the FBI, the director of National Intelligence and his executive assistant, and Generals Naylor and McNab. Plus, of course, the presidential spokesman, Mr. Jack Parker.
“You’ll leave when I tell you that you can. Take a seat, Lammelle.”
Lammelle sat down. Secretary of State Natalie Cohen stood up, leaned across the desk, and laid an envelope before him.
“What’s this?” the President demanded.
“My resignation, Mr. President,” she said.
“I haven’t asked for it.”
“Yes, I know,” she said, and sat down.
General Naylor stood up, leaned across the table, and laid an envelope on the table.
“That’s my resignation, sir,” he said.
The President looked at General McNab.
“Well?”
“Well, what, Mr. President?”
“Aren’t you going to offer your resignation?”
“No, sir.”
“You didn’t think I was going to let you get away with what you did, did you?”
“I don’t know what you mean, Mr. President.”
“You know goddamn well what I mean!” Clendennen flared. “You’ve been in this up to that goddamned mustache of yours! Placing the entire country in danger!”
“Sir, I don’t understand.”
“Maybe after the goddamn Russians open barrels of Congo-X all over the country, you will.”