Another Side Of Deadly

Closing the door when everyone is seated, Deanne sits next to the desk where the President’s attaché, Ted Gray, stands. Looking at Deanne, Ted Gray seems unsure of where to begin. Thor begins instead. “I’m sure, Mr. Gray, security is an uppermost concern. Let me point out that you are standing behind the desk of Mrs. Rhyan’s late husband, Paris Rhyan, who was brutally killed while serving this community. Recently, she saved my life under dire circumstances as you mentioned in the other room. So I believe Deanne is quite capable of understanding the reason for absolute confidentiality and is most deserving of your confidence.” “You sound quite sure of yourself, TNT, if I can use the familiar, about the content of this conversation.” “Not yours, sir, but I do know the Colonel’s art of persuasion. He and I are open books to each other.” “Yes, he remarks the same. Still, this is quite unusual. So what is your recommendation, Colonel, about the inclusion of Mrs. Rhyan in these conversations?” “Unusual as you say, but we will inherit the wind by proceeding otherwise.” “I’m not asking for a weather report. Are you getting soft or merely becoming irregular, Colonel?” Gray turns an inquiring look at his military colleague. “No, sir, merely offering a strategy, recognizing the stalwart force we face here.” “A stalwart force, eh?” Gray turns to Deanne. “Yes, Mr. Gray, I am in the room. You can talk to me directly instead of around me.” He comes around squarely facing Deanne like a horse whisperer does a mare during a primal confrontation of will. He addresses Thor while looking at Deanne. “I want you, Thor, to work directly with the President of the United States or a liaison assigned only by him. The Colonel here will work with you regarding the details of any assignment. He will also be responsible to the President or assigned liaison.” “What kind of assignments?” Thor asks. “You will be the President’s Man without official portfolio, special office, or having any legitimate White House connection. You may be placed in situations of peril and disavowed if in any circumstances you are discovered. You will be handsomely compensated and only personally appreciated for serving your country in such a manner. The curtain of secrecy must be maintained at any cost, and this condition applies to the three of you…at all costs, including your own lives. Yes, Deanne is the main wrinkle in this unusual stuff.” Gray paces while the others watch. ”Your President needs you, Thor. I want you to talk over the offer with Deanne, if you must. I will return later for the answer.” “No need to wait, Mr. Gray. Thor accepts.” Deanne stands and squares off at him. Thor’s head turns in complete surprise. Ted Gray stops pacing and glares at the Colonel. The Colonel is speechless but moves his chair next to Deanne attentively as if anticipating further audacity. “I’ve always believed frontal attack is best,” the Colonel murmurs. “You’re answering for Thor,” snorts Mr. Gray. “My God, the unusual stuff just keeps rolling!” Deanne stands in front of Ted Gray like a mare does while confronting a horse whisperer. “Yes, I answer to what lies between TNT and me in the face of this high calling from our President. Yes, I answer to the President and for him to hear straight without equivocal hesitation my willingness to one day welcome this man home in a body bag, if it comes to that. Yes, I answer for me to hear outright a decision firmly to be my own. Yes, I answer to love deeply enough to give TNT away to be what he is meant to be. He has done no less for me and my family. Yes, I answer for TNT—with his permission.” She moves toward the door. “Gentlemen, you have deadly games to play and have no further need of me. I request your consent for me to rejoin the guests in the other room.” Deanne gathers herself and starts to leave the room. The Colonel rises from his chair as he would to honor anyone of high rank. He stands at attention and salutes. Ted Gray, although not military, stops pacing and he, too, stands at attention and salutes. Thor is the last of the three to rise. With pride, he stands and salutes. A tear of that pride forms, which Deanne briskly wipes away as she passes. Deanne knows he is expressing personal and shared permission. “I will inform the President, gracious lady, of his, yours, and our decision—and all the unusual stuff.” Ted Gray quietly concludes. The men stay in the den, talking for a long time. When they come out, the festivities in the front room are already winding down. Deanne approaches. “When are you going to get me out of here?” “I’ll borrow Naomi’s convertible.” Thor grins. “What will she use to get home? “Irresistible ingenuity.” He goes to where Naomi is talking to one of the Secret Service men outside the house. “Naomi, I need to borrow the Cadillac and find you a way home.” “Oh goodness, are you just coming to that? Mr. Gray and the four secret service men are going to escort me home in the big, black limousine. They think my body needs guarding since you are trading in your back-watching sister for a front-seducing blond.” “Is that what they said?” “Not in so many words, but the suggestion was there.” “You are remarkable.” “Yes, I know,” Naomi replies. She grabs Thor’s chin in her fingers and kisses his cheek. “The keys are under the mat on the driver’s side.” She pats his chest. “We did good, huh?” “So they say, my back-watching sister. We did.” “TNT, now you go do some good, too. Leave me to my fate with the forces of the federal government.”