Page 19 of An Impossible Love
Chapter Nine
Orin Bennett hugged the woman whose daughter had died in the bombing. He refused to let the cameras in here, despite what Kevin wanted, needing this to be only about comforting the survivors and victim’s families, not about boosting his own popularity. He was struck by the horror of what had happened as he toured the site. Bodies were still being found in the rubble of the gymnasium. The fatality count had risen to forty-four, and Orin met with each and every grieving family.
After leaving the school site, he went to the local hospital and met survivors, some with terrible injuries. Orin spent hours with them, always aware of how tired they were, or if they wanted to be alone, but empathizing with them. He allowed some reporters in at the end to take photos, with a proviso that the focus was on the victims and not him.
He was drained by the time they got back to Camp David. Meeting with his closest advisors and Lucas Harper, they discussed the claims of responsibility that had flooded in.
“As always, most of them we can dismiss straightaway as kooks. We always get at least ten claims from the same nut job groups who wouldn’t be able to conjure an attack like this out of their asses. Excuse my language, Mr. President,” Lucas added at the end.
Orin grinned. “Forgiven. So, now we come to the credible claims.”
“The most likely group responsible is still the far-right splinter group led by Max Neal. Mr. President, as you know, we still think we could learn something from Martin Karlsson.”
Lucas cleared his throat, glancing at Charlie Hope, who nodded. “Mr. President…”
“We need you to hold off on the announcement that you’re not going to pardon former President Ellis,” Charlie finished for Lucas. “If it gets out, then Karlsson will be too ticked to help us. He might side with his old roommate. Right now, he thinks there’s still a chance his mentor Ellis will be vindicated. He might be open to talk, and anything—anything—we can get from him would help.” He leaned forward, making sure his old friend was listening. “Mr. President, I assure you this bombing, however horrific, was only the beginning. Max Neal is a psychopath, a white supremacist, and a terrorist.”
Orin shook his head in disgust. “What does he want?”
“Truthfully? Max Neal wants to bring you, wants to bringanyPresident down who doesn’t adhere to his Nazi-sympathizing worldview. The man is scum, Mr. President, and he won’t stop until he’s killed as many people as he can. Havoc. That’s what Neal wants, sir, and he’ll stop at nothing to get it.”
Moxie stayed behind when the others left. He smiled at her. “It’s been a long day, Mox.”
“Awful, but this is the job, O. This is not the only one of these we’ll have.”
They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, before Orin said quietly “Ellis is guilty as hell, Mox. There’s no way I’m pardoning him.”
“I know.”
He studied her. “Do you think his crazies will do more stuff like this?”
Moxie met his gaze evenly. “I don’t think there’s any doubt. As soon as they know their precious Brookes is heading for federal jail, the floodgates will open. No one’s safe.”
Sitting in Lucas’s debrief the next day, Emmy’s mind kept drifting back to that kiss. God, if anyone ever found out… She dragged her attention back to what Lucas was saying.
“Obviously, because of the bombing, we’ve upped the president’s protection as well as for key members of the administration. We’re adding new members to the team as well as backups for you.”
He sighed. “Listen, it’s been a few rough days for everyone, but we can’t afford to let our focus lapse even for a second. In a few days, President Bennett will announce that he will not be issuing a pardon for former President Ellis, and I think we all know the crazies will go, well… crazy, and the threats will flood in. The president has agreed to postpone that announcement untilafterwe interview Martin Karlsson.”
Duke raised his hand. “And how are we playing that? Is he under arrest?”
“No. He was asked politely to attend an interview to help out, and he graciously agreed. So, we’re soft-balling, but I still want the important questions raised. Emmy, Duke, you’ll lead.”
“He won’t be offended by mere agents interviewing him?”
Lucas shrugged. “I don’t give a crap if he is.”
There was a smattering of laughter. “Listen, folks, we knew at the beginning of this administration that we were in for a rough ride. I believe in you all. Thanks. That’s all for now.”
As they filed out, Lucas called Emmy back. “You got a second?”
Emmy nodded, but her stomach dropped.Shit.Had she and Orin been found out? But Lucas just smiled at her. “I’ve heard really good things about you. The President said you helped him with the situation out at NSF Thurmont. I always like to have one agent on my team who can act as a confidante to the people we protect, and it seems you’re it this time. Good work. Em.”
God. She felt horribly guilty as she thanked him and went back to the field office. Duke saw her face.
“Uh-oh. What’s up?”
She hesitated, then nodded outside. “Can we walk?”
