The Best Laid Plans by Sidney Sheldon

In the Homicide Branch office, the sergeant on duty was opening a carton containing Paul Yerby’s personal effects. “There’s not much in it,” he said. “Just the kid’s clothes and a camera.”

Lonergan reached into the box and picked up a black leather belt.

It was uncut.

When Frank Lonergan walked into the office of President Russell’s appointments secretary, Deborah Kanner, she was getting ready to leave for lunch.

“What can I do for you, Frank?”

“I’ve got a problem, Deborah.”

“What else is new?”

Frank Lonergan pretended to look at some notes. “I have information that on October fifteenth the president had a secret meeting here with an emissary from China to talk about Tibet.”

“I don’t know of any such meeting.”

“Could you just check it out for me?”

“What did you say the date was?”

“October fifteenth.” Lonergan watched as Deborah pulled an appointment book from a drawer and skimmed through it.

“October fifteenth? What time was this meeting supposed to be?”

“Ten P.M., here in the Oval Office.”

She shook her head. “Nope. At ten o’clock that night the president was in a meeting with General Whitman.”

Lonergan frowned. “That’s not what I heard. Could I have a look at that book?”

“Sorry. It’s confidential, Frank.”

“Maybe I got a bum steer. Thanks, Deborah.” He left.

Thirty minutes later, Frank Lonergan was talking to General Steve Whitman.

“General, the Tribune would like to do some coverage on the meeting you had with the president on October fifteenth. I understand some important points were discussed.”

The general shook his head. “I don’t know where you get your information, Mr. Lonergan. That meeting was called off. The president had another appointment.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. We’re going to reschedule it.”

“Thank you, General.”

Frank Lonergan returned to the White House. He walked into Deborah Kanner’s office again.

“What is it this time, Frank?”

“Same thing,” Lonergan said ruefully. “My informant swears that at ten o’clock on the night of October fifteenth the president was here in a meeting with a Chinese emissary to discuss Tibet.”

She looked at him, exasperated. “How many times do I have to tell you that there was no such meeting?”

Lonergan sighed. “Frankly, I don’t know what to do. My boss really wants to run that story. It’s big news. I guess we’ll just have to go with it.” He started toward the door.

“Wait a minute!”

He turned. “Yes?”

“You can’t run that story. It’s not true. The president will be furious.”

“It’s not my decision.”

Deborah hesitated. “If I can prove to you that he was meeting with General Whitman, will you forget about it?”

“Sure. I don’t want to cause any problems.” Lonergan watched Deborah pull the appointment book out again and flip the pages. “Here’s a list of the president’s appointments for that date. Look. October fifteenth.” There were two pages of listings. Deborah pointed to a 10:00 P.M. entry. “There it is, in black and white.”

“You’re right,” Lonergan said. He was busy scanning the page. There was an entry at three o’clock.

Chloe Houston.

19

The hastily called meeting in the Oval Office had been going on for only a few minutes and the air was already crackling with dissension.

The secretary of defense was saying, “If we delay any longer, the situation is going to get completely out of control. It will be too late to stop it.”

“We can’t rush into this.” General Stephen Gossard turned to the head of the CIA. “How hard is your information?”

“It’s difficult to say. We’re fairly certain that Libya is buying a variety of weapons from Iran and China.”

Oliver turned to the secretary of state. “Libya denies it?”

“Of course. So do China and Iran.”

Oliver asked, “What about the other Arab states?”

The CIA chief responded. “From the information I have, Mr. President, if a serious attack is launched on Israel, I think it’s going to be the excuse that all the other Arab states have been waiting for. They’ll join in to wipe Israel out.”

They were all looking at Oliver expectantly. “Do you have reliable assets in Libya?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“I want an update. Keep me informed. If there are signs of an attack, we have no choice but to move.”

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