Page 149 of Fury
“First time?” Z asked.
“Yeah,” Carrera replied.
Z smiled. “Even after three decades, it doesn’t lose its panache. I never forget with whom I’m meeting.”
The assistant’s phone buzzed. She answered, spoke quietly. “Gentleman, the President will see you now.”
With a polite smile, she escorted them into the Oval office.
Despite the grandness of the room, Carrera’s attention was fixed on the man rising from the world-famous desk. Tall and lean with a pleasant smile and warm eyes, he kept his dark hair short, his face clean-shaven.
“Mr. President,” said the assistant. “Deputy Director Philip Skye and Deputy Director Carrera Santini.”
“Thank you, Betty,” said the President.
She closed the door behind her.
The President extended his hand to Z. “Who am I going to argue with now that you’re leaving us?” Both men chuckled. “I’m going to miss you, Philip, but maybe now, we can finally do some of that fishing we’ve been talking about.”
“That would be great, Mr. President,” Z said. “This is Carrera Santini, my replacement.”
Carrera shook the President’s hand. “It’s an honor, Mr. President.”
“The torch is being passed,” the President said as he gestured toward the sitting area.
Carrera waited for both men to sit before he eased onto the upholstered chair.
“Carrera, tell me about yourself,” the President said.
“I’m here to serve, Mr. President,” Carrera said.
Both Z and the President smiled, and the angst in Z’s eyes disappeared.
“You have an exemplary record with Justice,” said the President.
“Thank you.”
“Finding Philip and Luther’s replacements was a long process,” said the President. “Consider yourself amongst the most trusted and the most elite.”
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Carrera replied with a smile.
Carrera’s goal for the meeting?
Charm and brevity.
Z brought the President up to speed as Carrera glanced around the historic office. Photos of the President, First Lady, and their large family peppered the room. Two porcelain vases, along with several books, filled the built-in bookshelves.
On the President’s desk sat a computer and three phones.
“I ordered lunch for us,” the President said. “Maybe we can get Carrera to say more than ten words.”
Carrera smiled.
Knock-knock.
“Come in,” said the President.
The door opened and in walked Sin.
