Jonathan, William Lyons [best fiction novels of all time txt] 📗

warmth and security of the DC Emergency Response Team’s situation van, that had come to the scene along with Metro Police, the DC Fire Department, and an Emergency Medical team. It was a scene of well-directed chaos. To be closer to the center of what the Metro Police felt was their area of operations, the situation van was soon moved to the North side of the Ellipse.
After two hours of frantic searching by all involved, the mounted Park Ranger and Doc had returned to the control van’s location and were standing together outside of it. Neither he nor Doc said much. If they didn’t find the boy’s grandfather soon, the lad would have to go to a foster home until the parents could be located. This process could take weeks. All they could think of was how this would upset the child - not to mention the frantic parents!
In order to talk in private, the men had moved quietly to the sidewalk facing the White House. For a time, both men stood staring silently at the National Mansion. Neither man was thinking of the historic structure; rather, both had a lost boy firmly in their thoughts. Then, on the afternoon breeze came a dimly shouted name - “Jonathan!” Both men pivoted smartly on the spot trying to place the source of the shout. Then, with an almost sickening realization, both men became aware of what seemed Secret Service and Marines in a company front line searching the White House grounds shouting, “Jonathan!” Unnoticed by anyone, Sharon, her children, and Jonathan had joined them. As they did so, an elderly man flanked by two no-nonsense looking Marines appeared on the White House’s South portico. At this man’s appearance, a throughly excited and joyful Jonathan began jumping up and down, pointing and shouted, “Grandpa!”
At almost the same time, a group of very obviously armed (and upset) Secret Service agents began running in the direction of the situation van, and the group on the sidewalk containing a very excited Jonathan. It was then two and two finally added up to four. Doc covered his face and moaned, “Oh! Jonathan Caldwell - the President’s grandson?” A thoroughly embarrassed Park Police Officer and Navy Corpsman turned to face each other and shared a pained look before both said quietly, “Oh, no!”
The next day’s Sunday Post and Times both carried a small article with photos about an apparent picnic at the White House late Saturday afternoon. Seen in the photos were a group of children that were playing frisbee with a small number of Secret Service, Marines and Navy personnel on the White House lawn; while, what appeared to be a mounted Park Ranger, was giving some of the children rides on his horse as a jovial President, First Lady and family members looked on. Also mentioned in both papers was a very small article about a combined National Park Service, Metro Police, DC Fire and DC Rescue Emergency Response Team “drill” held on the National Mall the day before. Imprint

Publication Date: 02-22-2010

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