Page 4 of Chinook Winds

James typed in the location in GPS. “Got it. That’s about an hour from D.C.”

There was only one person Victor could trust with bringing Duncan in safely. “I’ll have someone come get you. Stay where you are, and if something suspicious comes up, call this number right away.”

Duncan blew out a sigh. “Thank you, Mr. President.”

“You’re welcome.” Victor ended the call. “Abby, we need to get in touch with Officer Tom Newman right away.”

Abby Temple had been one of the rescue-mission team that saved Victor and Kinsley. They’d met Tom along the way, and he’d helped them escape Legion’s people in D.C.

“Yes, sir.” Abby retrieved her phone and dialed. It didn’t take long before the officer picked up. She put the phone on speaker. “Officer Newman, this is Abby Temple. I’m here with the president and we need your help.” Abby gave him the details. “We don’t know what you’ll be facing when you arrive. Do you have someone you trust to assist?”

“I do,” Tom said with a smile in his voice. “You’d be surprised how many people are on your side.”

“Tom, this is Victor. Please, be careful. This man is a member of Legion, and I’m not sure how much I trust him yet, but he claims to have information that will help us put an end to Legion’s reign once and for all.”

“Mr. President, if you want me to bring this guy in, I’d be happy to. I happen to know a secure place to hide him, and no one’s going to find it.”

Victor smiled at the man’s enthusiasm. Tom had proven himself invaluable to them. They wouldn’t have made it out of D.C. without his help. “Good. Call me when you have him.”

“I sure will. We’ll talk soon.” Tom hung up the phone.

Kinsley squeezed Victor’s arm. “If anyone can rescue Duncan from Legion’s people, it’s Tom. I’d trust him with my life.”

He gazed at the strength in her eyes and thought about how his feelings for her had changed through the years. Kinsley had been the secret service agent assigned to him when he first became president three years earlier, and right after his wife, Julie, had been diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. For more than two years, she’d fought a long and difficult battle before succumbing to the cancer.

After Julie’s death, the weight of being president and trying to grieve the loss of his wife had almost crippled him. Yet there’d been no one to talk to about his feelings.

He’d found a sympathetic ear with Kinsley. Victor poured out his heart to her, and in return she’d helped him survive one of the hardest times of his lives.

Victor ran a hand through his hair. “Duncan is a crook and I don’t trust him to tell me the truth over the phone. I want to look him in the eye.” He held her gaze. “The people didn’t elect me into office to hide out here in the Canadian prairies while they’re being misled by the likes of Kincaid and Collins. I’m going back. I’ll meet with Duncan and then decide a plan of attack from there, but I won’t hide out any longer.”

Her response came quickly. “Victor, that’s not a good idea. They’ll be looking for you. Even if public opinion is turning, Legion’s people still want you dead.”

He stepped closer so that only she could hear. “I know the risks, but I still have to go.” He hesitated. She’d been through so much. Risked her life for him. He couldn’t lose her. “I need you to stay here—”

She didn’t let him finish. “I won’t. If you go, I’m going with you.”

He’d expected this from her, but the thought of how close to dying she’d come was always close. “I can’t lose you, Kinsley. You’re too important.”

“Victor. . . “

He touched her face and she closed her eyes for a moment. “I lost Julie. I can’t lose you. I need you here. I need you,” he stressed.

Tears shone in her eyes. She covered his hand with hers. “You are so important to me, but I am still assigned to protect you, and I won’t step away from my post. I’m coming with you.”

It would be pointless to argue. Kinsley was one of the best secret service agents he’d ever had the privilege of working with. She’d protect him to the end. Even when it meant her life.

???

He couldn’t get the door to the oval office closed fast enough. Things were quickly turning south, and there was no way he was going to take the fall for all of this, though he suspected that was Collins’s plan.

David Kincaid grabbed his phone. Before he could complete the call, a knock on the door was followed byScott Westlake, his chief of staff, sticking his head in.

“Not now. I have an important call to make.”

“Sir, this can’t wait. The allegations being lodged by Strike Force are gaining traction quickly. People want answers. They deserve them.”

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