Page 4 of State of Alert

Sam stood, went to him and put her hands on his chest as she gazed up at his handsome face and the gorgeous hazel eyes that looked at her with apprehension. “We found Juan.”

His entire body tensed.

She didn’t have to say anything else for him to know that since she was there in person, Juan hadn’t been found alive.

“How?”

“I’m not sure yet. He was found in a clothing donation bin on New York Avenue.” His sharp intake of oxygen had her holding on tighter to him, putting her arms around his waist. “I’m so, so sorry, Nick.”

He dropped his head to her shoulder as he exhaled a deep, pained breath. “Who knows?”

She reached up to run her fingers through his dark, wavy hair, wishing there was more she could do to provide comfort. “Only us and you so far.”

“I have to call his mother. I promised to keep her informed.”

“I’ll stay with you while you do that. I’ll stay for as long as you need me.”

“You can’t stay as long as I’ll need you.”

“Yes, I can.”

“Will you guys lead the investigation?”

“We have jurisdiction since he was found in the District. NCIS will want in, but they can be helpful in a situation like this.”

“I’ll make sure they’re nothing but helpful.”

She placed her hand on his face, compelling him to look at her. As she gazed into his beautiful eyes, she said, “Please tell me you know this isn’t your fault.”

“I didn’t kill Juan, and I didn’t shoot the service members at Fort Liberty. But like that, this happened because I became president, and somehow… Somehow, I have to find a way to live with that.”

CHAPTER TWO

It took every bit of self-control Nick could muster not to erupt into rage that would only upset Sam and wouldn’t bring Juan back. The rage was tinged with agony for Juan’s mother and everyone else who’d loved the sharp, funny, ambitious naval officer who’d risked everything to warn Nick of a nefarious plot.

Had he paid for his loyalty with his life?

Juan was the seventh member of the military to die since Nick took office. The other six had been killed at Fort Liberty by a disgruntled soldier who’d opted to take a voluntary dishonorable discharge for not being willing to serve under an “unelected” commander in chief. He’d responded to his outrage by shooting up a gathering of his fellow service members.

Each of those deaths weighed heavy on Nick’s soul, but this one…

Juan Rodriguez had been one of the first people to enter his orbit as president, responsible for the nuclear codes that were carried by Juan and a rotation of other military attachés, one of whom was always close to Nick.

Most of them were quiet and reserved in his presence. Juanhad been the exception. He had been friendly and usually had something to say to Nick when they’d been in the same room. They’d discovered a common love of sports, baseball in particular, and had shared spirited conversations about the DC Feds, Juan’s Phillies and Nick’s Red Sox.

In a world where no one treated Nick like a regular guy anymore, Juan had, and Nick had appreciated that more than the young man would ever know. His heart was absolutely shattered that Juan was gone forever. And the thought of having to tell his mother… It was unbearable.

Sam sat next to him on the sofa and put her arm around him, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Nick had talked to Mrs. Rodriguez twice over recent days, heard stories of young Juan sweeping the floor of the salon for baseball card money from the time he was seven or eight. He’d heard her pride at Juan receiving a prestigious appointment to the Naval Academy, followed by his service to the president in the White House.

He’d promised to personally let her know the second they learned anything about Juan’s whereabouts, but now that he knew, he wanted to delay giving her the devastating news for as long as he could.

Nick dropped his head into his hands.

Had one of the disgraced former Joint Chiefs murdered Juan to exact revenge for blowing the lid off their plot? They’d been dishonorably discharged from the military and were facing criminal charges as well as the loss of lucrative pensions. With their careers and reputations in tatters, what did they have to lose by killing the man who’d thwarted their plot?

Nothing. They had nothing at all to lose by killing Juan.

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