Page 45 of State of Denial

“People are saying he’s trying to organize a military coup.”

His stomach went from churning to free fall.

“From what my friend has heard, Wilson and other members of the Joint Chiefs are concerned about taking orders from an unelected president who could declare war on behalf of the United States without a mandate.”

Nick took his customary seat at the head of the table. The president’s seat. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but I thought it was my duty to inform you.”

“I’ll never forget that you’ve taken a great personal risk to warn me, Juan.”

“I couldn’t let them do this to you without at least warning you.”

“What should I do?” As the commander in chief, that he was asking a Navy commander for that kind of advice was humbling to say the least. But Juan had become a friend in the last couple of months, and Nick trusted him, especially now that he’d taken a considerable risk to warn him.

“Get your inner circle together and fire the Joint Chiefs. You’ll also want to convene a military tribunal to try them for numerous charges, including possibly treason.”

“Jesus.” Nick was wholly unprepared to deal with something like this, which of course the Joint Chiefs knew. He picked up the receiver on the conference room table and pressed a button that connected him to the staffer who remained on duty in the West Wing twenty-four hours a day. His team took turns taking the overnight shifts.

“This is President Cappuano. Please contact Vice President Henderson, Secretary of State Sanford, Attorney General Cox, Defense Secretary Jennings, Mr. O’Connor and Mr. Kavanaugh and ask them to meet me in the Situation Room immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

He put down the phone, his mind spinning with potential implications. With the exceptions of Cox, who had a reputation as an honest, decent man, and Jennings, who’d already earned Nick’s respect, he’d invited only the people he’d appointed—those who were loyal to him.

The headlines would be brutal, even more so than the coverage of his mother and her crimes.

“You should go, Juan. I don’t want you caught up in this.” Nick stood to shake his hand. “Thank you.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. President.”

“Juan…”

“Yes, sir?”

“Please be careful. It’s possible you’re being watched.”

“I understand, sir.”

After Juan left the room, the phone on the conference room table rang with a call from the switchboard.

Nick picked it up. “Yes?”

“Mr. President, the first lady called again to tell you she’s on her way to George Washington Hospital with Mrs. Hill and her son now.”

“Thank you.”

“She also asked that you call her on her regular cell number.”

“Can you please make that call for me? I’ll give you the number.” The Situation Room had no cell service.

“Yes, sir.”

“Did she ask to speak to me when she called?”

“Yes, sir, she did, but we get calls every day from people claiming to be her and asking to speak with you. Our policy is to put none of them through.”

“We’ll need to establish a code or something she can use to get through when needed.”

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