Chapter 119: An apology.

Jonathan White's private line rang with a specific tone reserved only for calls originating from the highest levels of government. He frowned, setting aside the intelligence reports he'd been reviewing as he reached for the secure handset. Very few people could bypass his external screening measures in such a way. "This is White," he answered crisply, preceding any pleasantries. "Jonathan, it's me." The unmistakable voice of the President of the United States crackled across the encrypted line. "I wanted to speak to you directly about the...situations that have arisen today." White arched an eyebrow, settling back into his chair as his mind raced. So, the Chief Executive looped him into the rapidly escalating chaos surrounding the Mason organization. That was either excellent news or bad, depending on how many tentacles the POTUS had been forced to deploy. "I'm listening," he responded evenly, refusing to make the President's life any easier by guessing the specifics. Th