Page 85 of State of Alert

“The plan, which was intended to be held strictly between the principals and their top aides, leaked, the way these things do. Staff members, appalled by the plan, began to talk amongst themselves, and a decision was made at the staff level to inform Lieutenant Commander Juan Rodriguez, one of the president’s military attachés who’d become friendly with the president.Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez was not explicitly asked to inform the president, but it was understood that he would. And he did.

“Upon learning of the plot, the president acted quickly and decisively to foil it, confronting the now-former Joint Chiefs, and when they refused to acknowledge their involvement, he instructed now-former Attorney General Cox to take them into custody.

“After being charged with numerous federal crimes and dishonorably discharged from the military, Goldstein wasn’t satisfied. He wanted revenge against the man who’d tipped off the president. He arranged for the murder of Juan Rodriguez, whose body was found in a clothing donation bin on New York Avenue earlier this week. Since Mr. Goldstein has been in custody, he’s unaware that Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez has been murdered by the man he hired to do the job.”

“Goldstein doesn’t know that Juan isn’t dead,” Gonzo said, incredulous.

“They’re going to get him to flip on the guy he hired to do the deed, who didn’t actually do the deed—but he doesn’t know that—before they charge him with conspiracy to commit murder,” Sam said. “That’s why they need Juan to stay ‘dead’ awhile longer.”

“This whole thing is unbelievable,” Neveah said. “My grandfather was a Marine. He was always saying how military members take an oath in which they swear allegiance to the president, no matter who it is. The specific words are ‘I will obey the orders of the president of the United States.’”

“It’s hard to believe they’d risk huge pensions and their stellar reputations for something like this,” Freddie said.

“Why did they?” Sam asked. “When they had so much to lose, why would they do such a thing?”

“They let power go to their heads,” Cameron said. “They thought an inexperienced president would be easy to mess with. They found out otherwise.”

“If Juan hadn’t heard about it and tipped him off, they might’ve gotten away with it.” Hearing Agent Truver’s recitation of the details, Sam was reminded of just how close they’d come to disaster. “Nick would’ve been caught off guard, unprepared to fight back when they came in with the military behind them, or so they would say.”

“We expect additional charges to be forthcoming against Mr. Goldstein,” Truver concluded. It was satisfying to hear her deny him the use of his former title. “The others involved in the plot have taken plea deals that require them to testify against Goldstein in exchange for lesser prison sentences. We’ll update you as future developments transpire.”

As she left the podium, reporters shouted questions that she and the others ignored.

Sam reached for the BlackBerry and typed a text to Nick.I saw the press conference. I’m so sorry they tried to do this to you, love. I know you’re busy, but are you okay? What can I do?

She ought to go home to him, but he was probably sealed away with his team, figuring out how to deal with the news that would resurrect the pontificating of pundits about the incident. It had gone on for weeks when the initial news of the plot had broken.

Sam hated that he’d have to deal with this nightmare all over again, along with talking heads questioning whether the Joint Chiefs might’ve been right to want to depose him.

“It’s complete bullshit, Sam,” Freddie said, tuning in to what she was thinking. “He’s going to show everyone how lucky they are to have him as their president. He already is.”

“All he did was step up when he was asked to,” she said.

“Like you always say, no good deed goes unpunished,” Gonzo said.

“It’s so true. He would’ve been so much better off remaining a senator and doing what he could in the Senate to make a difference.”

“I don’t agree with that,” Neveah said hesitantly, as if shewasn’t sure she should be so blunt. She’d joined Sam’s team recently and didn’t have the history with her and Nick that the others did.

“How come?” Sam asked her.

“I think he’s amazing—and not just because I work with his equally amazing wife.”

Sam gave her a playful scowl over the compliment, even though she was touched by the kind words.

“People my age can relate to him—to both of you. We feel like he understands our generation and the struggles we’ve faced. He doesn’t come from a big, fancy family that raised him with every advantage. He’s a regular guy who ended up in the Oval Office through hard work and dedication to his country. All my friends agree with me that he’sourpresident, and we’re with him for the long haul. What the Joint Chiefs did was appalling. So many people think so.” She seemed to catch herself when she realized she was going on a bit. “Anyway… That’s what I think, and I’m not alone.”

“Thank you, Neveah. That means a lot to me, and it will to him, too, when I pass it on to him.”

“We all feel that way, Sam,” Gonzo said. “And again, not because we know him or because you guys are our friends, but because he leads with his heart and genuinely wants to do what’s best for everyone—not just what’s best for him. He doesn’t give a shit about being reelected, which gives him the freedom to do the right thing over the politically expeditious thing. You watch. He’ll go down in history as one of our best presidents. I know it.”

“Agreed,” Cam said. “I’d rather have him in that office than ninety-nine percent of the political animals that populate this city. He cares about people. He wants to make things better. His efforts on gun control alone make him a star in my book. Our jobs were always dangerous, but with the whole world armed these days, it’s worse than it’s ever been before. Responsible gun control should be a no-brainer, and Nick gets that.”

“I appreciate the support, you guys. And he will, too. I just wish more people knew him the way you all do. The way I do.”

“I thought he was thinking about doing a big interview,” Freddie said. “This might be a good time to do that.”

“Yeah, probably. I’ll ask him where that stands. In the meantime, let’s get back to work on the Myerson case.”

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