“Well that was a little different.”
“Really? You mean you said that the freshman class was the dumbest in recent years?”
“No, but I could see how he arrived at that now that I think about it a little more.”
“Okay, so using newspaper logic you just admitted you said our freshmen were dumber than a box of rocks.”
“Point taken Abby.”
“You know I would talk to them if I thought for one minute they would report the facts, the real ones, not the ones they twist to fit their story. But the truth is, the chances of that happening are slim to none and you know it as well as I do.”
“Would you consider holding an informal meeting with some of our state legislators? They are screaming that they want to know what is really going on,” he asked.
“Oh for heaven’s sake John. The only thing worse than a reporter is a legislator. They will be holding a press conference on the front steps before they even leave the conference. All they will want to do is get their picture in the papers and be asked to be on television shows. I might as well run down the center of Phoenix yelling ‘the sky is falling; the sky is falling’,” Abby replied.
“Perhaps that may be a little overly dramatic but I understand what you are saying. I’ve never know a politician keep his or her mouth shut about anything,” he said, cleaning his glasses absentmindedly with his tie.
John Parker was a good University President. He suggested, mentored, and advised without pushing. He would simply put the idea in their head and then wait for them to think they had come up with it. He was one reason the meteorite study center even existed. It had been his foresight and ambition that had driven the program forward. Stealing Abby away from Cornell, where she was originally going to go, had turned out to be a benefit for both of them.
“Abby all I am saying is that you should give some thought to sharing what your team is thinking. So many crackpots are on the news every night that real fear is starting to creep in. I hear it everywhere I go. It’s the same question, ‘what will happen to the Earth’. I can’t say I blame them much. If I didn’t know what your team had projected I would be pretty upset as well,” John told her.
Abby was sitting on his overstuffed leather couch with her head on the back of it. She knew he was right but she also knew that they would only hear half of what they were told. She raised her head suddenly.
“What if we released a statement? We could write it up and send it out as a update from the University of Arizona Astronomy Department. That way we could control the facts. They couldn’t change it without an outcry. We could send it to all the major outlets at the same time,” she said.
“I think that is a capital idea. That way you can control the entire content. Very good Abby. Yes, that is an excellent way of handling it. We could send an advanced copy to the legislators to keep them happy as well,” John told her.
“Then I’m going to start on that immediately. I’ll get the whole team involved so we don’t mislead them in any way. It will be goods for the kids as well. Now that the initial excitement is wearing off they need something to keep them busy.”
“Please make sure I get a copy as well.”
“Of course. I’ll have an advanced copy over to your office before we even consider sending it out.”
“Alright Abby. I would say you have hit the nail right on the head.”
Abby was immersed in writing the news release when her cell phone rang. She was a little surprised since she seldom gave out her number. Only her immediate family and a few close associates have it. When she looked at the number it said that it was blocked.
“Abigail Montgomery, who is calling please.”
“The man who gave you the best time in you can’t remember when,” Dan’s voice came across the air waves.
“Dan. I wasn’t expecting you to call on this number. I didn’t think I gave it to you,” Abby said.
“You didn’t but hey, I’m a big shot in Washington. I just snap my fingers and people get whatever I need.”
“You mean they actually dug up my number?”
“Well, not exactly. I sort of memorized it when you went to the ladies room at the restaurant.”
“Just sort of memorized it.”
“Okay, I wrote it down and stuck it in my wallet. Damn woman, let me have a little dignity,” he kidded.
“So Mr. Washington Bigshot, what’s on your mind?”
“Well, you for one thing.”
“Really? Wow. Keep going, you’re on a roll.”
“The kiss keeps coming to mind.”
“Don’t stop now boy,” she teased.
“I think I would like to do that again. Maybe a little better next time.”
“Don’t think about it. Just do it. You have my expressed permission.”
“Well that’s no fun but okay, I’ll take it.”
“Dan, it really is great to hear from you. I wasn’t really sure if you would ever call.”
“Honestly, I started to three or four times but sort of chickened out. I can’t stand rejection. It’s a character flaw. I tend to cry and throw tantrums,” he said.
“Poor baby. Do you ever get a spanking for that?”
“Humm. I guess I could be up for that,” he said.
“Shame on you. You are making obscene remarks. Please, don’t stop however,” she joked back.
“So, I guess you have been listening to the crazies on the news,” Dan said changing the subject before he said something really obscene.
“I try not to listen to them. Where do all of these so called experts come from? I can’t believe some of the people they drag on those shows.”
“Television at its best. Listen, I have a meeting with the President tomorrow. He is starting to get a little anxious about this KA5 thing. Unfortunately he does read the papers and watch television so I think his mind is getting bombarded with conflicting information.”
“Okay. I can certainly understand that. How can I help?”
“Well there is one thing that would really help if you’re willing,” Dan said.
“Hey just ask. I’ll see what I can do,” Abby replied.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“This is totally awesome,” Brian said looking out of the window.
“Double awesome,” James added.
Abby just smiled. It was probably one of the most exciting things that had ever happened in their lives. They were being flown on one of the government jets to Washington D.C. to meet with the President of the United States. It was mind boggling in so many ways.
“Abby, will we get to see the Oval Office?” Ruth asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. The meeting is in the basement of the White House. The situation room or something like that.”
“But the President is going to be there right?”
“That’s my understanding.”
“This is so unbelievably cool,” Andy and Jessica said in unison and then laughed.
A man in a uniform stuck his head out of the cabin and told them that they were on approach and they needed to be seated and buckled up. Abby could feel the nose of the plane start to tilt down and she could hear the engines pick up in speed.
Once off the plane, two SUVs were waiting for them and whisked them across the Potomac River. Twenty minutes later they were standing in front of the entrance to the East Wing of the White House. Two Marines searched through their belongings and they were scanned not once but twice.
Once that part was done and the Marines satisfied, they were led to a large conference room. Another Marine was stationed outside of the door and quickly checked their backpacks, purses and briefcases.
“I get the feeling they don’t like outsiders very much,” Jessica whispered.