Page 107 of State of Alert

“Goldstein must’ve had his reasons to risk everything,” one white-haired pundit said. “He worked closely with the president and had seen him in action. Clearly, he didn’t like what he saw and took the courageous step of trying to do something about it. We should all be thankful to him.”

“Right,” Nick said. “He tried to cause a constitutional crisis, but let’s show him our gratitude.”

Sam sat next to him and reached for his hand.

“I don’t agree,” a younger woman with red hair said. “What Goldstein did was treasonous. When President Nelson died, the Constitution worked the way the founders intended with the elevation of the vice president to the presidency. The number one role of the VP is to be ready to assume command should the president die in office. Where were all the doubts about Cappuano when he was the VP, sitting a heartbeat from the Oval Office?”

“That’s a good question,” the middle-aged male host said. “The Senate confirmed him as VP, and that was the time for people to raise their concerns. Mike, what kind of time is Goldstein looking at on these charges, especially with his coconspirators accepting plea deals to testify against him?”

“It could be as much as life in prison, but the government will have a difficult path to get a jury to convict. Goldstein and the others were careful not to leave paper trails of their discussions. A lot of this case is he-said, she-said testimony from people with knowledge of conversations that fall under the hearsay rules.”

“Awesome,” Nick said. “So all this and they’re going to have trouble proving he did what we all know he did.”

Sam reached for the remote and shut off the TV. “That’s enough of that.”

He sat back against the sofa, glass of bourbon in hand.

Sam had noticed that the bourbon had become an every-night thing lately, rather than the occasional indulgence it used to be. “What can I do for you?”

He wrapped his hand around hers. “I’m okay.”

“This whole thing is an outrage, and lots of people see it that way. More so than approve of what they did.”

“It’s hard to know for sure which way the wind is blowing.” He glanced at her. “Trevor wants us to do that big interview, like, yesterday. Do you think we could squeeze it into Wednesday before I leave on the trip?”

“As in the day after tomorrow?”

“I know it’s ridiculous to even ask, but we have to get me out there to fight back, and I fight best when my own personal Wonder Woman is next to me.”

She leaned her head on his sturdy shoulder. “Well, when you butter me up that way… I’ll make it work. Whatever you need, whenever you need it.”

“Trevor is talking to several big names to see who can make it happen fast.”

“Let me know when and where, and I’ll be there.”

“It’ll probably happen here, since that’s easier logistically.”

“Okay.” Sam yawned. “Are we ready to be done with this day?”

“So ready.”

He stood and offered her a hand up.

Sam wrapped her arms around him and held on tight, sensing he needed all the love and comfort he could get.

He dropped his head to her shoulder and held her just as tightly.

She pressed her lips to his neck. “Remember what we always say. They can’t touch us unless we let them.”

“Keep reminding me, will you?”

“Any time you need to hear it.”

“That could be a lot.”

“I’m here for it. All of it. Anything for you.”

“How lucky am I to have the amazing Samantha Holland Cappuano as my wife?”

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