David went to the records department and pulled one of the inspection certificates, photocopied it and with a little cut and paste work created one that indicated that there would be a follow-up during the following week.  He made two copies, mailed one to the hotel, placed one in the hotel file and the other in the secretary’s follow-up file while she was getting coffee. 

When she returned he dropped over at her desk.  “Did you look at the follow-up for next week?”

“Not yet today.”

“I want to know if there is anything for early next week.  I’m trying to take time off to clean up some personal business.  I have some time today, thought I’d get a head start if there was anything I could do this week.”

She pulled out the file, “Here’s one at the hotel.  I hear they have some really good lunches.  If you do it this morning they may spot you a free lunch.”

“Can you call them and set something for ten thirty today?”

“Sure.”

She called him on the phone a few minutes later. “Your inspection at the hotel is set for ten thirty.”

“Thanks.”

“Have a good lunch.”

“Sure.”

He hung up the phone and looked at his watch.  It was 9:15.  He would plan to arrive at the hotel at just after ten, pretend to be on time and maybe get a key to look the place over without the manager.

When he arrived the manager was all too accommodating.  He had not expected the visit and was busy so he assigned a bellboy to go with David and show him whatever he needed to see.  The bellboy had no idea what he was to inspect so he just opened the doors as requested.  Within an hour David knew his plan would work.  He signed the inspection papers, gave them to the very pleased manager, ate the customary free meal at the dining room and planned his next step.

That evening he began accumulating the supplies he would need.  Two trips to nearby towns netted him four TAZERs.  In three days everything was packed in three duffel bags.  He placed them in the trunk of his car.  The next morning he arranged to be off work the following week.  He left the people in the office know he would be going out of town Friday for five days.  He went to the hotel Saturday night, dropped his duffel bags in a storage room inside the back door and left.  On Sunday he drove to the bus terminal, parked his car there and bought a bus ticket to New York.  He pretended to board the bus but at the last moment he slipped back to the terminal and called a cab.  He had the cabbie drop him at a bar a block from the hotel.  He avoided the lobby; instead he entered through the back door.  He made an impression of the key during the inspection tour.  Inside he went to the hall outside the executive suite and entered a linen storage area.  Inside he climbed on a table, pushed up a ceiling tile and climbed up through the hole.  He pulled the duffel bags up through the hole with a line connected to each of them.  He looked for evidence he had been there, found none and closed the ceiling behind him.  He was now ready to put his plan into motion. 

He moved his things to a catwalk near the air conditioners and started working.  When he was done he had extended the ductwork by six feet using cardboard covered by aluminum foil.  It looked like the ductwork and it was large enough to make a place for him to live for the next three days.  He pulled his things inside and closed the door.  He would remain here until the time to move.  Without some extremely good luck the Secret Service would not find him.  He was already inside their perimeter and in a place they would not likely find him even if they searched it.

The First Family: Chapter 1 – Introduction

The First Family – Chapter Nine: The Conservatives Get the Upper Hand

The First Family 11: The First Lady and Daughters Head South