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Page 302
impatient President. "A moment, sir. And you, Prime Minister."
The three men formed a tight huddle at the far end of the room. Anna sat in silence. Kellner's air of strain immediately infected the other two men. The dangerous matters under discussion must have gone from the troublesome to the terrifying.
Cole Caidin's face blanched at what he heard. He said harshly, "Damn! All right, Vincent. The Joint Chiefs must be informed." He signaled for General Bolton. "Take the Prime Minister over to Blair House, General, and see to it that an open line is maintained to us here in the White House at all times. I want you close at hand, Ian," he said to Halloran. "You'll keep me informed about Hudson Bay?"
When Halloran nodded, Caidin said, "Vincent, come with me now. We have to start counting every goddamned minute." He looked abruptly at Anna Neville as though he had forgotten she was in the office. "Mrs. Neville, you'll go with Jamison. I'll expect an answer from you, the one I want to hear."
Anna sagged with weariness, not sure if she could last until the President returned, if indeed, he did so. So the CLA was to be her watchdog for the indefinite future. What had happened to Morgan at Bethesda to ratchet up the tension to this degree?
Jamison stood and said politely, "Will you come with me, Mrs. Neville?"
Anna followed the CLA man into the main part of the Executive Mansion. Jamison took care not to make it appear that she was under any duress, but she knew better.
Jamison led her into a small, charming room, one that belied its rather grand title of "the White House Library." He explained to her that this retreat had been created by the workers and artisans who remodeled the White House during the Truman Administration. Once part of the basement, it had been walled with panels made from the old timbers removed from

 
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