Page 12 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“What?”

Nick could almost hear Terry sitting up straighter and see the shock in his expression. “You heard that right.”

“What happened?”

“No one knows yet, but Hanigan said there was no immediate sign of foul play. I assume there’ll be an autopsy that’ll hopefully provide some answers. Sam, Scotty and I are at the White House awaiting Mrs. Nelson’s arrival from South Dakota before I take the oath.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Had a feeling you might say that. Needless to say—”

“I won’t say a word, sir. To anyone.”

“Thank you. Will you ask Trevor to come too?”

“I’ll take care of that. Mr. Vice President… Nick…”

“I know. I’ll see you soon?”

“On my way.”

Nick was relieved to know his own people were coming to help guide him through these next few hours. With that detail taken care of, he was eager to get back to Sam and Scotty. He was on his way to the office door when a thought occurred to him that had him returning to his desk to place another call, this one to Sam’s chief of staff, Lilia Van Nostrand. Since he didn’t have her number, he asked the White House switchboard to put through the call for him.

“Mr. Vice President,” Lilia said when she took the call. “Is everything all right?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you on a holiday, Lilia.”

“It’s no problem at all, sir.”

“I’m also sorry to have to tell you that President Nelson died this evening.”

“Oh my God. What happened?”

“We don’t know yet. Mrs. Nelson is on her way from South Dakota, and when she gets here, I’ll take the oath. I thought it might be helpful to Sam to have you here, if that’s at all possible.”

“I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Thank you for calling me, sir.”

“If my friend is with you, please ask him to join you.” Lilia was dating Nick’s close friend Dr. Harry Flynn.

“I’ll do that.”

“I’ll see you when you get here.”

Nick felt a thousand times better knowing Sam’s trusted aide would be there to see her through this challenging transition. Making sure she was cared for would be one of his top priorities over the coming days and weeks. She’d already had her world rocked recently when she lost her dad. Added to that, this new development might be enough to take her right over the edge.

She was on his mind as he left the office and went to rejoin her, determined to guide their family through these tumultuous days the best he could. They’d take their lead from him, and he would show them nothing but calm, cool collectedness, even as he quaked on the inside.

Mrs. Nelson arrived shortly after midnight in a Marine helicopter that landed on the South Lawn after having conveyed her from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Her daughters, Amanda, Camille and Collette, accompanied her, all of them wearing expressions of shock and sorrow.

Sam and Nick were waiting for them as they came inside.

Nick went to Mrs. Nelson. “Please accept our heartfelt condolences.”

Sam and Nick both hugged her.

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