Space in His Heart Read Online Free Page B

particular.”
    Jessica noticed the look that passed between
Stuart and Jim and wondered just how a homesick Russian could
impact her plans with one astronaut on Earth.
    “Deke plays a critical role in getting each
shuttle ready and his time for non-mission-related work is
limited,” the Colonel said.
    Scheduling problems she could handle. “This
won’t take a lot of Commander Stockard’s time. He just shows up,
gets his picture taken, does an interview and he’s done.” She held
her breath, waiting for him to contradict her slight
exaggeration.
    “Is it possible we could find another
astronaut for your project?”
    Not a chance. She’d been through the bios.
They were all so ordinary compared to Stockard. Short or
balding or nerdy. Or married.
    She chose her words carefully. “Commander
Stockard has an amazing biography and he’s obviously an articulate
spokesperson.” She couldn’t resist a saucy grin. “And he looks
pretty good in a flight suit.”
    “Sex sells,” Colonel Price shot back with a
knowing nod.
    “We’ll keep it dignified, sir. But, yes. It
does.”
    The older man stood and stepped to his
window, his arms locked behind him. Jessica stole a glance at
Stuart, who shook his head slightly, silently telling her to say
nothing and wait for the decision. It didn’t matter. She knew no
compelling argument would sway this man. All she could do now was
wait for a verdict.
    Colonel Price turned slowly before he spoke.
“You can have him on a very, very limited basis, Miss Marlowe. You
must accomplish this campaign with as little of his time as
possible. No lengthy media tours and he only travels for emergency
situations.”
    Like an appearance on Oprah . “Of
course, Colonel.”
    He tapered his gaze to underscore his point.
“If, for any reason, we have to stop the program, you’d better have
another tactic at the ready. Is that understood?”
    She nodded, imagining all the military
underlings who’d flinched in the face of Colonel Price’s demands.
She wanted to ask why they might have to stop mid-way, but he
picked up his phone to make a call, indicating that the meeting was
ended.
    She stood and thanked him, following Stuart
out the door. He shot her a smile both sympathetic and knowing.
“About that backup plan…”
    “Do you think we’ll really need one?” she
asked.
    “At NASA, we live by them. Everything has a
redundant system, in case one fails. You’ll get used to it. Anyway,
would you care to officially meet your guinea pig now? I can take
you to Deke’s office.”
    Jessica slowed her step. She wasn’t prepared
for another encounter with Mr. We-Are-Explorers-Not-Movie-Stars
just yet. “I think I better get to my own office and call the team.
They could start working on our ‘redundant system’ in case mine
fails.”
    But it won’t, she thought as she followed
Stuart to the Press Facility.
    Failure is not an option .
    A few minutes later, Jessica stuck a
fingernail in the chipped edges of the metal and Formica desk in
her new office, briefing Bill Dugan on the Colonel’s
instructions.
    “We’ve got him for now, but Price made it
clear our time is tight and we need to have a backup plan in case
he has to stop. Do you have any idea why that might happen?”
    “Not a clue.”
    She could imagine the twisted frown on Bill’s
thin face as he adjusted his glasses and tried to look as important
as he had somehow managed to become. He’d never had much visibility
in the agency until recently, and now, because he headed the NASA
account in Washington, Jessica reported to him. At least for the
next three months.
    “What about our Naval aviator hero turned
astronaut?” Bill asked. “Have you met him yet?”
    She turned away from the open door and
lowered her voice. “Yes, I met him at the briefing. He’s a little
less than enthusiastic.”
    A response came from the hallway. “That’s an
understatement.” She spun in her chair to see the man in a familiar
blue flight suit: