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assistant send word that he'll be late? Had he planned this? Was he
systematically letting everyone know where they stood with him?
A few minutes later Hattie knocked and entered.
Mr. Secretary-General, she said, President Fitzhugh is sending
Air Force One for you.
Oh, tell him that will not be necessary, Carpathia said.
Sir, he said it's already in the air and that you should come at your
leisure. The pilot will let the White House know when you're on your way.
Thank you Ms. Durham, Carpathia said. And to Buck, What a nice man! You
have met him?
Buck nodded. My first Newsmaker of the Year subject.
His first or second time winning?
His second. Buck marveled anew at the encyclopedic memory of the man. Was
there any doubt who the subject of this year's Newsmaker would be? It was an
assignment Buck did not relish.
Earl shifted nervously. Well, let me tell you, this comes at the worst
possible time.
The new
Air Force One
, which is scheduled to go into service next week, is a seven-
five-seven.
Rayford was nonplussed. The note from Hattie Durham, saying the same thing,
was still in his pocket.
CHAPTER SEVEN
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Rayford shifted in his chair and watched his chief pilot's face. I had heard
that, yes, he hedged. Is there anyone in America who hasn't heard about the
new plane? I wouldn't mind seeing it, with everything they say is in it.
It's top of the line, for sure, Earl said. Absolute latest in technology,
communications, security, and accommodations.
You're the second person who's reminded me about that plane today. What's the
point?
The point is, the White House has contacted our brass. Seems they think it's
time their current pilot be put out to pasture. They want us to recommend a
new guy. The people in Dallas narrowed a list to a half dozen senior pilots,
and it came to me because your name is on it.
Not interested.
Not so fast! How can you say that? Who wouldn't want to fly one of the most
advanced planes in the world, one outfitted like that, for the most powerful
man on earth? Or I guess I should say the second most powerful, now that we've
got this
Carpathia guy at the U.N.
Simple. I'd have to move to Washington.
What's keeping you here? Is Chloe going back to school?
No.
Then she's mobile too. Or does she have a job?
She's looking for one.
Then let her find one in Washington. The job pays twice what you're making
now, and you're already in the top 5 percent at Pan-Con.
Money doesn't mean that much to me, Rayford said.
Get off it! Earl snapped. Who calls me first when new numbers are in the
air?
It's just not true of me anymore, Earl. And you know why.
Yeah, spare me the sermon. But, Ray, the financial freedom to get a bigger,
nicer place, run in different circles
It's the circle I'm running in that's keeping me in Chicago. My church.
Ray, the salary
I don't care about the money. It's just Chloe and me now, remember?
Sorry.
If anything, we ought to be downsizing. We've got more house than we need,
and
I've certainly got more money than I can spend.
Then do it for the challenge! No regular route, a staff of first officers and
navigators. You'll fly all over the world, a different place every time. It's
an accomplishment, Ray.
You said there were five other names.
There are, and they're all good men. But if I lobby for you, you've got it.
The problem is, I can't lobby for you with this Nick Edwards thing in the
file.
You said it was only in your file.
It is, but with this morning's snafu, I can't risk hiding it. What if I get
you the
White House assignment and that examiner squawks? As soon as that gets out,
Edwards sees it and corroborates the story. No assignment for you, and I look
like an idiot for burying the complaint and championing you. End of story.
It's the end of the story anyway, Rayford said. I can't move.
Earl stood. Rayford, he said slowly, calm down and listen to me. Open your
mind a little. Let me tell you what I'm hearing, and then just give me one
chance to persuade you.
Rayford started to protest, but Earl cut him off.
Please! I can't make your decision for you, and I won't try. But you have to
let me finish. Even though I don't agree with your take on the disappearances,
I'm happy for you that you've found some comfort in religion.
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It's not
Ray, I know. I know. I've listened to you and I've heard you. To you it's not
religion, it's Jesus Christ. Did I listen well, or what? I admire that you've
given yourself to this. You're devout. I don't doubt you. But you don't just
thumb your nose at an assignment that a thousand pilots would die for.
Frankly, I'm not entirely sure you'd have to relocate. How often do you see a
president of the United States traveling on a Sunday? Surely not more than you
fly Sundays now.
Because of seniority, I hardly ever fly Sundays.
You can assign someone else to fly Sundays for you. You'll be the captain,
the senior guy, in charge, the boss. You won't have me to answer to anymore.
I'll do it! Rayford said, smiling. I'm kidding.
Of course, it would make more sense for you to live in Washington, but I'll
bet if your only condition is living in Chicago, they'd do it.
No possible way.
Why?
Because my church is not just about Sundays. We meet frequently. I'm close to
the pastor. We meet almost every day.
And you can't see living without that.
I can't.
Ray, what if this is a phase? What if you eventually lose your zeal? I'm not
saying you're a phony or that you're going to turn your back on what you've
found. I'm just saying the novelty might wear off, and you might be able to
work somewhere else if you can get back to Chicago on the weekends.
Why is this so important to you, Earl?
You don't know?
I don't.
Because it's something I've dreamed of all my life, Earl said. I kept up on
all the latest certifications all my years in this position, and I've applied
for the pilot's job with every new president.
I never knew that.
Of course you didn't. Who would admit that and let the world know he got his
guts ripped out every four or eight years, seeing other guys get the job? Your
getting it would be the next best thing. I could enjoy it vicariously.
For that reason alone I wish I was free to take it.
Earl sat back down. Well, thanks for that table scrap.
I didn't mean it that way, Earl. I'm serious.
I know you are. Truth is, I know a couple of the other yokels on the list,
and I
wouldn't let them drive my car.
I thought you said they were good men.
I'm just trying to tell you that if you don't take this, someone else will.
Earl, I really don't think
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