Page 87 of State of Alert

“We would’ve removed them from the White House, forcibly if necessary.”

“What about the agents who might’ve agreed with them that I needed to go?”

“I don’t know of any agents who hold that belief, sir.”

“Would you, as my lead agent, hear about that if there were agents who aren’t loyal to me?”

“I believe the word would eventually reach me, sir, and there’s been no undercurrent that I’m aware of.”

“Would you tell me if there was?”

Brant hesitated, but only for a second. “Would you want me to, sir?”

“Yes, Brant, I’d want to know if there’re agents working in the White House who don’t think I should be here.”

“Very well, sir. If I hear any such rumblings, I’ll let you know.”

“Could you get into trouble for doing that?”

“Only if you were to mention where you heard of the rumblings, sir.”

“You don’t have to call me sir when we’re alone, Brant, and I’d never tell anyone where I heard such information.”

“That’s good to know.”

Nick smiled. “You did it. You didn’t call me sir.”

“It’s not an easy habit to break, sir. I mean…”

Laughing, Nick said, “I understand. Thank you for your candor.”

“Of course.”

“Could I ask you something else?”

“Anything you’d like, sir.”

He couldn’t help himself with the sir business. “What’s your life like away from this place?”

“What is this life you speak of, sir?”

“Seriously, Brant? No family, friends, girlfriends, boyfriends?”

“My family is in Arizona, where I grew up. I get home once a year, and they come here to visit. I have three siblings, all of them married with kids, which keeps the pressure off me to produce grandkids. I don’t have a girlfriend. Wouldn’t be fair with the hours I keep.”

That was more than the young man had ever revealed to Nick in all their time together. “I want you to take more time off. There’s more to life than protecting the president.”

Brant cracked the smallest of grins, which felt like a win to Nick.

“Please don’t run yourself into the ground or give up the best years of your life for a job.”

“This is not your average, ordinary job, sir. It’s a tremendous honor to work with and for you.”

“The best thing in my life is my family. Don’t miss out on that by thinking work is the most important thing. It isn’t.”

“Thank you for your concern, sir. It’s appreciated.”

“Go get a girlfriend, Brant. And hurry up about it.”

---