The General's President by John Dalmas Read Free Book Online Page B

they walked together to the Oval Office, where President Kevin J. Donnelly met them seated, a full colonel standing behind him with a Medical Corps caduceus on his shirt collar.
    The president looked terrible, like a long-term invalid, his flesh and complexion like bread dough. Not drawn like yesterday , Cromwell thought. Fuffy. The result of some drug, he supposed. Some medicine, and perhaps no sleep or too much sleep... But he straightened when we came in; he's that much in control.
    Haugen wondered if Donnelly was dying. Cromwell made the introduction, and the president stared at Haugen without extending his hand. Then, without preamble, Donnelly asked: "Mr. Haugen, are you willing to be vice president?"
    Haugen's voice was unexpectedly husky. "Yes, Mr. President, I am."
    Donnelly sat briefly silent, as if gathering himself. "Good. You are now the vice president of the United States of America."
    Then he turned his eyes to Milstead, questioningly. "Is that it?" he asked.
    "Yes, Mr. President, that's it."
    Again a lag. "Then I resign," he murmured.
    Milstead started to speak. His voice broke, and Haugen looked at him; tears had overbrimmed the man's eyes, and it seemed to Haugen that this man and Donnelly had had dreams together. Milstead gathered his control, sucked in his cheeks and started again.
    "Yes Mr. President. We are witness to your appointment of Vice President Haugen, and of your resignation." He looked at Colonel Singleton; Singleton nodded.
    "Gentlemen," Singleton said, "if you please." Milstead led the others out of the office. Donnelly's secretary turned away from the door as they came out, but a box of Kleenex was open on her desk. She knew. Haugen felt like an inheritance tax collector at a funeral. Milstead took them into his own office, next to the president's. They could have entered it directly from the Oval Office, but apparently, under the circumstances, Milstead thought their manner of departure was more appropriate.
    "Mr. President," Milstead said to Haugen, "we've arranged to have President Donnelly taken at once to Bethesda Naval Hospital. An aerial ambulance should be arriving very shortly."
    Milstead paused, seeking mentally for a moment, then took a notebook from his desk, seeming to gain poise and strength as he scanned it. "The first lady and I," he said, "organized the evacuation of the Donnelly's personal and household effects last night. I'll have the household staff notified next. Actual removal should begin tomorrow, and the White House will be yours by the end of the week, or sooner if necessary. Between now and then, a guest room has been prepared for your occupation."
    Arne Haugen, President of the United States of America, began to feel a heavy mass settling on him.
    "I appreciate that you've had no briefings, nor time to arrange for your own staff," Milstead went on. "I'm available to continue as White House chief of staff until you've selected a replacement, and I believe we can assume the same of most of the appointive staff, including the cabinet. Many of them, I'm sure, have anticipated something like this."
    He turned a page in the notebook. "With your approval, sir, I'll call your press secretary, Mr. Okada, now. The nation needs to be informed..."
    Abruptly a shock hit Haugen, and he interrupted. "Mr. Milstead," he said, "I have to make a phone call. Right now!"
    The man looked startled. "Of course, Mr. President."
    "How do I get long distance on your phone?"
    "Dial nine."
    Haugen leaned over the desk, picked up the privacy receiver, and rapped out his home phone number on the keypad. While he waited, he said, I can't have my wife learn about this on television!"
    The ringing at the other end stopped, and Lois Haugen answered.
    "Hi, Babe," Haugen said. "I took the job. It starts today.... Well, it's kind of hard to tell you, but—I'm the President of the United States.... I know that's not funny; it's true though. I was just appointed vice president a few minutes ago and