The Leviathan Effect by James Lilliefors Page A

intelligence, and he held old-school ideas about secrecy and protection of information.
    “It’s just hard to fathom,” Blaine said. “What would China—or anyone—gain by such an attack? I mean, it doesn’t seem to make sense.”
    After a long silence, the President said, “We suspect they would prefer a negotiation to any sort of attack. But, again, we’ll learn all that soon enough.”
    “All right,” Blaine said. She took a deep breath, not wanting to be at odds with these men.
We’re all parts of a team
, she reminded herself, thinking of her father. “And so what’s the next step?”
    “The next step is for
them
to take, not us,” the President said.
    Right, she thought. Tomorrow was Monday.
    The President held up a forefinger and raised his eyebrows as Blaine stood, a familiar directive, indicating he wanted her to remain in the room. She sat back in the rosewood chair and waited for DeVries and Easton to exit.

NINE
    “I JUST WANT YOU to know that what you refer to as the ‘moral obligation’ is something I take very seriously, Cate.” The President was leaning forward on the desk, watching her. “And will continue to do so.”
    “I’m sorry, sir, if I spoke out of place.”
    “No. I just want us to be clear with each other. I also don’t want us to be second-guessing ourselves.” He closed his eyes, as if he were disappearing inside some private thought, then opened them again. He could do that: go somewhere else, like he was playing an entirely different chess game in his head. “If you have a concern, or a question, feel free to bring it to me. All right? Even outside of the group, if you’d like.
Especially
outside of the group.”
    “All right.”
    Blaine considered what he was really saying.
    “Also,” he said, his face brightening, “I just want to say that I’m glad you’re on board.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    He scooted his chair back. Then, one at a time, he lifted his long legs and settled his feet on a corner of the desk. She could see that he was trying to forge a bond of informality between them. “Heading into October, Cate, I thought I’d be dealing with a couple of routine budget issues and getting away with Mrs. Hall for a few weekends to watch the leaves turn up at Camp David.”
    “I know.”
    “But it doesn’t look like that’ll be happening.”
    “No, sir.”
    “Anyway.” He fixed her with a look, and winked. “I’m hearing some good reports about DHS. The handling of the floods, in particular. We’re getting some very good marks for that. So, thank you. And I understand you’re bringing a lot of fresh ideas into play over there. Just what I was hoping.”
    “Thank you, Mr. President. It’s an ongoing process.”
    He looked away, his brow furrowing. “Although I’m told that you sometimes play a little hide and seek with the Secret Service.”
    “Me?”
    This time the President didn’t smile. He knew her father slightly and sometimes took a paternal tone that made Blaine uneasy.
    “Not often,” she said. “I sometimes just want to be alone with my son. It makes him very uncomfortable having security people around all the time.”
    “I’m only concerned about your safety, Cate. And your son’s safety, for that matter.”
    “I appreciate it, sir.”
    “Anyway. I want you to know that I value your perspective on this. No one else in our circle is as well versed on these subjects as you are. If you see something I’m missing, at any time, I want you to come to me. Okay?”
    Blaine nodded.
    He watched her, letting his look linger. “What’s your gut feeling at this point?”
    “About the threats?”
    “Mmm hmm.”
    “To be honest?” she said. “I guess I’m still not fully convinced that it’s real.”
    “Oh, it’s real, Cate,” he said, his eyes showing a sudden steel. “You said it yourself earlier. This
is
possible.”
    “Well, yes. Hypothetically.”
    “It’s a paradox, though, isn’t it? The public hasn’t shown the