21
Daniel Drake Darlington III hated these moments. He listened to the phone ring. Sometimes it was the worst part of his job. It rang again in his ear. He could feel the pain he was causing the man at the other end of the line, though he’d never admit it.
On the fourth ring, it was picked up and dropped. But Daniel was used to that and had held the phone away from his ear in anticipation of the moment.
“Wha-ish-hit?”
Daniel didn’t bother suppressing his smile. The whole world thought that President Peter Matthews was always erudite and calm. At the moment he sounded like any other man woken from not enough sleep.
“Good morning, Mister President.” There was a distinct pause.
“How long I been ashleep?”
Daniel glanced at his watch. “Almost two hours, sir.” Another long pause.
“Shit.”
