Stone - 25 - Collateral Damage

Glenfiddich.”
    “The Laphroaig would be just fine.”
    Kate poured the drink, then poured two bourbons and handed Lance his drink. “You’re not married, are you, Lance? How come?”
    “Oh, I’ve had a couple of close brushes, but I’ve managed to stay out of serious trouble.”
    Kate laughed. “That’s what Will used to say before I got him into serious trouble. Got a girl? Or a boyfriend?”
    “A girlfriend. She lives with me most of the time.”
    “Good for you. By the way, I was kidding about the boyfriend.”
    “I know, ma’am.” She liked to needle him once in a while.
    The president returned to the living room wearing khakis, a sport shirt, and loafers, then accepted the drink from his wife. “That’s better,” he said, sipping the bourbon. “I allow myself one before dinner. You never know when I might have to make a complicated decision.” He waved Lance to a chair. “Make yourself comfortable, Lance. Dinner will be another half an hour.”
    Lance slipped into a soft armchair, and the first couple sat on the sofa facing him. He noticed that they sat close together rather than at opposite ends. It was the first time he had dined in the family quarters, and he was surprised how at ease they were with each other.
    Kate poked Will in the ribs. “Speak,” she said.
    “Oh, yes, I almost forgot—must be the bourbon. Lance, I’ve decided to appoint you director of Central Intelligence.”
    Lance nearly dropped his drink. He had thought this might be an interview, but he hadn’t expected an outright offer. This meant that Kate must be stepping down. “I accept, Mr. President, with gratitude.”
    “Good. Got that out of the way. Your turn, sweetheart.”
    “Here’s how it’s going to go,” Kate said. “First, we have to get this Jasmine thing out of the way. When that’s done, I’ll resign, and Will will appoint you. He’ll announce the two things simultaneously in a small ceremony in the White House briefing room, on live TV.”
    Lance nodded. “Yes, I should think you’d want Jasmine behind you before you step down.” He wanted it that way, too; he definitely did not wish to inherit that problem.
    The president spoke up again. “I’ve spoken with Senator Jeff Barnes, whom you know from your occasional testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and he sees no obstacle to a smooth confirmation process. By appointing a career professional we take politics out of the equation, so there should be little if any opposition from across the aisle. And, of course, we need only Senate confirmation.”
    “I understand, sir.”
    “Both Kate and I admire the way you’ve conducted yourself since becoming deputy director for operations,” the president said, “and I mean that as much for how you’ve dealt with Senator Barnes and his committee as for the operations you’ve conducted. The committee is well versed in how you’ve handled that part of your job, and because virtually everything you’ve done is classified, there won’t be any public testimony. I expect questioning will be mostly on what sort of future you see for the Agency, especially the new domestic part of it. You and Senator Barnes will have an opportunity to talk in depth about that, and I think you would be wise to incorporate some of his views into your testimony.”
    “That shouldn’t be difficult,” Lance said, “since the senator and I don’t have any serious disagreements on policy. We’ll need a considerable expansion, though, if our charter is changed.”
    “Yes, and you might give some thought to exactly how you want to expand. You and Kate can spend some time on that.”
    “Yes, sir. I will value her advice, of course.”
    “Thank you, Lance,” Kate said, smiling. “I wouldn’t have expected you to say anything else. Do you have any immediate thoughts?”
    “Well,” Lance said, “I think I would like to make Holly Barker’s appointment as New York station chief permanent. I think she’s perfect for it.”
    “I agree entirely,” Kate said.
    “I had thought of sending her to London after the trouble there, but her recommendation for the replacement there was perfectly considered, and I was glad to accept her judgment.”
    “I’ve often thought that Holly’s coming to us later in life than usual, after her military and police background, gave her better judgment than we’re accustomed to in recruits.”
    “I entirely agree,” Lance said. “She has always been