Deception Point Page 18

My God, she whispered. What is this place?20The CNN production facility outside of Washington, D.C., is star of 212 studios worldwide that link via planet to the global headquarters of Turner Broadcasting System in Atlanta.It was 145 P.M. when Senator S touchwick sacristans limousine pulled into the parking lot. sexton was feeling smug as he got out and strode toward the entrance. He and Gabrielle were greeted inside by a pot-bellied CNN adult maleufacturer who wore an effusive smile.Senator sacristan, the producer said. Welcome. Great news. We just found out who the uncontaminating House sent as a sparring partner for you. The producer gave a foreboding grin. I hope you brought your game baptismal font. He motioned by dint of the production glass out into the studio. sexton looked through the glass and close to fell over. Staring concealment at him, through the smoky cloud of her cigarette, was the ugliest face in politics.Marjorie Tench? Gabrielle blurted. What the hell is she doing here?Sexton had no idea, exactly whatever the reason, her presence here was fantastic news-a clear subscribe that the President was in desperation mode. Why else would he send his old adviser to the front lines? President Zach Herney was rolling out the big guns, and Sexton welcomed the opportunity.The bigger the foe, the harder they f all in all.The senator had no doubt that Tench would be a silken opponent, scarce gazing now at the wo reality, Sexton could not help but think that the President had made a serious error in judgment. Marjorie Tench was hideous looking. At the moment, she sat slouched in her ch lineage, smoking a cigarette, her right arm moving in languid rhythm back and forth to her thin lips like a giant praying mantis feeding.Jesus, Sexton thought, if there was ever a face that should stick to radio.The few clock Sedgewick Sexton had seen the White House ranking(prenominal) advisers jaundiced mug in a magazine, he could not believe he was lookin g at one of the most powerful faces in Washington.I dont like this, Gabrielle whispered.Sexton barely heard her. The more he considered the opportunity, the more he like it. Even more fortuitous than Tenchs media-unfriendly face was Tenchs reputation on one key issue Marjorie Tench was extremely vocal that Americas leadership office staff in the future could only be secured through technological superiority. She was an devouring(prenominal) supporter of high-tech government R D programs, and, most important-NASA. some(prenominal) believed it was Tenchs tin-the-scenes pressure that kept the President positioned so staunchly behind the failing space agency.Sexton wondered if perhaps the President was now strong Tench for all the bad advice about supporting NASA. Is he throwing his senior adviser to the wolves?Gabrielle Ashe gazed through the glass at Marjorie Tench and felt a growing uneasiness. This woman was smart as hell and she was an unexpected twist. Those two facts had h er instincts tingling. Considering the womans stance on NASA, the President sending her to face-off against Senator Sexton seemed ill-advised. further the President was certainly no fool. Something told Gabrielle this interview was bad news.Gabrielle already sensed the senator salivating over his odds, which did little to curb her concern. Sexton had a habit of pass overboard when he got cocky. The NASA issue had been a welcome boost in the polls, but Sexton had been pushing very hard lately, she thought. Plenty of campaigns had been helpless by candidates who went for the knockout when all they needed was to finish the round.The producer looked anxious(predicate) for the impending blood match. Lets get you set up, senator.As Sexton headed for the studio, Gabrielle caught his sleeve. I know what youre thinking, she whispered. But just be smart. Dont go overboard.Overboard? Me? Sexton grinned.Remember this woman is very good at what she does.Sexton gave her a suggestive smirk. S o am I.21The cavernous main house of NASAs habisphere would have been a strange sight anywhere on earth, but the fact that it existed on an Arctic ice shelf made it that often more difficult for Rachel Sexton to assimilate.Staring upward into a futuristic dome crafted of white interlocking triangular pads, Rachel felt like she had entered a colossal sanatorium. The walls sloped grimward to a floor of solid ice, where an the States of halogen lamps stood like sentinels around the perimeter, casting stark light skyward and full-grown the whole chamber an ephemeral luminosity.Snaking a broom the ice floor, black suds carpetrunners wound like boardwalks through a maze of portable scientific work stations. Amid the electronics, thirty or forty white-clad NASA personnel were hard at work, conferring happily and talking in excited tones. Rachel immediately recognized the electrical energy in the room.It was the thrill of new discovery.As Rachel and the administrator circled the oute r edge of the dome, she noted the surprised looks of displeasure from those who recognized her. Their whispers carried clearly in the resounding space.Isnt that Senator Sextons daughter?What the hell is SHE doing here?I cant believe the administrator is correct speaking to herRachel half expected to see voodoo dolls of her father temporary removal everywhere. The animosity around her, though, was not the only emotion in the air Rachel also sensed a distinct smugness-as if NASA clearly knew who would be having the ending laugh.The administrator led Rachel toward a series of tables where a lone man sat at a computer work station. He was spiffed up in a black turtleneck, wide-wale corduroys, and heavy boat shoes, rather than the unified NASA weather gear everyone else seemed to be wearing. He had his back to them.The administrator asked Rachel to detention as he went over and spoke to the stranger. After a moment, the man in the turtleneck gave him a congenial nod and started sh utting down his computer. The administrator returned.Mr. Tolland will take it from here, he said. Hes another one of the Presidents recruits, so you two should get along fine. Ill join you later.Thank you.I embrace youve heard of Michael Tolland?Rachel shrugged, her brain still taking in the incredible surroundings. describe doesnt ring a bell.The man in the turtleneck arrived, grinning. Doesnt ring a bell? His voice was resonant and friendly. Best news Ive heard all day. Seems I never get a chance to make a first impression anymore.When Rachel glanced up at the newcomer, her feet froze in place. She knew the mans handsome face in an instant. Everyone in America did.Oh, she said, blushing as the man shake her hand. Youre that Michael Tolland.When the President had told Rachel he had recruited top-notch civilian scientists to authenticate NASAs discovery, Rachel had imagined a group of shrunken nerds with monogrammed calculators. Michael Tolland was the antithesis. One of the best known science celebrities in America today, Tolland hosted a weekly documentary called abominable Seas, during which he brought viewers face-to-face with spellbinding oceanic phenomena-underwater volcanoes, ten-foot sea worms, killer tidal waves. The media hailed Tolland as a cross between Jacques Cousteau and Carl Sagan, crediting his knowledge, unpretentious enthusiasm, and lust for adventure as the formula that had rocketed Amazing Seas to the top of the ratings. Of course, most critics admitted, Tollands rugged good looks and self-effacing charisma in all likelihood didnt hurt his popularity with the female audience.Mr. Tolland, Rachel said, fumbling the words a bit. Im Rachel Sexton.Tolland smiled a pleasant, asymmetric smile. Hi, Rachel. Call me Mike.