Before Agent Bishop returned to duty from his vacation at Lake Tahoe, the quick detour to Crockett Texas, and a single restful day of contemplation back in his Washington D.C. apartment, something of tremendous significance had occurred. President Harwell had received some information which nearly everyone in America would have believed to be impossible, but a perceived reality can sometimes be reshaped by way of surprise. Via a secure line from the American Embassy in Zurich Switzerland on Tuesday evening, the Secretary of State had been the first in Washington D.C. to be notified of the shocking news. After instructing the Ambassador to Switzerland, and thus his staff, to keep the information as top-secret, the Secretary immediately contacted the White House to set up a secure meeting with the President. Slightly over an hour later, the Secretary walked into the oval office and said, “Good evening Mr. President, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”
“No problem Mr. Secretary. I assume there is a good reason why we couldn’t discuss this on the phone.”
“Yes sir. I felt there was an imperative need to discuss this information in person.”
Although still tending to various files upon his desk, Jordan Harwell replied, “Alright, what’s on your mind?”
“I have some nearly inconceivable news sir, and it comes via a secure channel. Therefore what I’m about to tell you has not become public knowledge as of yet.”
“Well that’s good I suppose, depending of course on what it is.”
“Yes Mr. President. It seems that our two pilots who bailed out over Syria after being shot down during the attacks of January first are alive.”
Snapping his head up from the distractive files, President Harwell asked, “What did you say Mr. Secretary?”
“Sir, I said that two of the four pilots which we presumed to be dead are alive.”
“That’s what I thought you said. Are you serious?”
“Yes sir.”
“And this has been confirmed?”
“Yes sir, by reliable sources which can be trusted.”
“But we were all led to believe that the pilots had most probably been captured and then either immediately killed or tortured.”
“Yes sir, but nevertheless, they are alive and well.”
“Well that’s great news, but where are they?”
“They are currently at our embassy in Zurich Mr. President.”
“Zurich? That’s unbelievable! How did they get to Switzerland?”
“I’m afraid that I don’t have the details as to how they got there Mr. President, but I have been assured by someone whom I trust that they are indeed within our embassy.”
“Alright, so when can we get them back to the United States?”
“We are currently working on that sir, but it could be a few more days. Apparently both pilots are suffering from a level of dehydration and fatigue. Additionally, they each have a few minor injuries which need to be addressed.”
“I see. Well then you need to maintain an open channel with your reliable source Mr. Secretary. This information must be kept under wraps for the time being, and it’s imperative that you make those in Zurich understand such a need. Also instruct them on my behalf to provide you with any and all pertinent updates with regard to the pilots, and I want you to personally keep me posted on their recovery progress. Is that clear?”
“Yes Mr. President. I have already taken the liberty of informing the Ambassador of the need for secrecy, and by now he has addressed his staff on the matter. As for the updates sir, I will keep you posted as news comes in.”
“That’s good Mr. Secretary, I appreciate that. Now let’s do what we can to get the pilots home and into this office as soon as possible.”
“Yes Mr. President.”
Per Jordan Harwell’s desire, the news of the downed pilots and their whereabouts had miraculously been kept under wraps for the previous thirty-six hours. None of the typical ever watchful eyes, attentive ears, and loose lips, within Washington D.C. or the global media machine had a clue as to their status or current location in Zurich. Each of those factors made the President smile inwardly, as he realized that it was actually possible to keep something a secret if the net placed over it was tight enough. However as Agent Bishop resumed his duty in the oval office on the morning of Thursday April fifteenth, President Harwell was about to let the unbelievable secret be known.
Heath stood by faithfully as the President welcomed the Secretary of State into the oval office, and was then amazed as he listened to the content of their subsequent conversation. A moment later President Harwell had Mrs. Dawson place a call for him without divulging the reason why, but the intent of the mystery was understandable. Now that he had been informed of when the two navy pilots would be returned to Washington D.C. from Zurich, it was time to take action. Speaking with his Press Secretary on the telephone, the President ordered that there be a press conference within the confines of the White House at ten o’clock sharp. That would be in slightly less than two hours, and the Press Secretary would be responsible for spreading the word to the media outlets that the story was worthy of their time.
