Page 64 of Eruption

“I’m the same way with volcanoes,” Mac said. “So I get it, General.” He shrugged. “Even though I never served,” he added.

“You’re serving now,” Rivers said.

When the world stopped moving, everybody came out from under the table and sat down again, although all of them, even the Cutlers, appeared much shakier than they had when they’d arrived.

Rivers said, “Now, where were we?”

CHAPTER 41

Oliver Cutler immediately tried to make the whole thing about him, as Mac had known he would.

“Before I explain why I believe we need to blow holes in the side of this volcano of ours,” Cutler began, “I have to tell you as a matter of full disclosure that the plan you’re about to hear was coauthored by a friend of Leah’s and mine.”

“One he met online?” Rebecca whispered to Mac.

“Am I allowed to ask who the friend is?” Rivers said.

“J. P. Brett,” Cutler said.

And there it is,Mac thought.

Rivers pushed his chair back slightly and turned to face Oliver Cutler, as if he were directing onto this TV personality the full force of his own personality.

“Let me see if I understand this,” Rivers said, as if genuinely curious about what he’d just heard. “You have brought a grandstanding rich man like Brett into this top secret and potentially life-threatening situation? And done that on your own?”

“Leah and I have worked with him before in dangerous situations,” Cutler said, “and found him to be more than useful and extraordinarily generous.”

“This isn’t one of your shows,” Rivers said.

“I know that, sir,” Cutler said. “I just assumed that since this is an all-hands-on-deck situation, the army would welcome the kind of support Mr. Brett can and is more than willing to provide.”

“Youassumed,” Rivers said. “Much in the same way you assumed it was all right to reach out to Mr. Brett in the first place.”

Cutler started to say something. Rivers held up a hand.

“You will learn very quickly, or perhaps you just have,” Rivers said, “that you don’t make assumptions with me. You makesuggestions,ones that I either accept or reject.” Rivers folded his arms across his chest without disturbing his multiple service medals. “Am I making myself clear?”

Cutler nodded. “Again, sir, I just assumed that with a man of Mr. Brett’s wealth and ability to get things done in a hurry—”

“There we go, assuming again,” Rivers said, shaking his head sadly. “Please continue.”

Everybody in the room listened intently as Oliver Cutler explained the specifics of blowing holes in the sides of the volcano.

And doing that from the air.

“You’re talking about targeted bombing?” Rivers asked.

“Yes, sir, we are,” Cutler said, and he began to show the places on the map where he thought the bombs would be most effective.

“I have to admit,” Rivers said, “you’ve done a lot of homework in very little time.”

Cutler smiled. “I didn’t want you to think Leah and I had fallen off a Learjet full of turnips,” he said.

There was no reaction from Rivers, but Mac hadn’t expected one. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs was a tough room.

“We feel this is the best way for us to do battle with nature,” Cutler said. He made a sweeping gesture toward the map. “Wefirmly believe that with the air support that both the army and Mr. Brett can provide, we can effectively neutralize this volcano, and do it in a timely manner.”

Cutler addressed Mac then. “Any comments, Dr. MacGregor?”