Page 54 of State of Denial

“It’s very weird, but I won’t tell anyone.”

When he laughed, she was glad she’d come with him. He needed her, and she wanted to be there for him the way he always was for her. Holding hands, they walked to the briefing room and entered to find a crowd, even though it was nearly ten p.m.

I guess when the president himself says he’s got something to say, they show up,Sam thought as she nodded to Vice President Henderson, who followed them onto the small stage at the front of the room.

Nick gave Sam’s hand a squeeze before he released it and stepped up to the microphone. “Earlier this evening, it was brought to my attention that the Joint Chiefs of Staff were planning to try to overthrow my government in a military coup d’état.”

A gasp went through the room.

“Upon receiving this information, I requested the Joint Chiefs report to the White House along with several senior members of my team, including Vice President Henderson, Secretary of State Sanford, Attorney General Cox and Secretary of Defense Jennings. When I relayed the information I’d been given to the Joint Chiefs, they didn’t deny it. As a result, I have relieved them of their military duties, and Attorney General Cox has ordered the FBI to arrest them and charge them with crimes against the United States of America. It should go without saying that this came as a huge shock to me, to Vice President Henderson, Secretary Jennings and the rest of my administration. I’m saddened by their deceit and their treasonous behavior. And I don’t use that word lightly. These actions were nothing less than treason, and with the help of the Justice and Defense departments, a full investigation will be undertaken, and the people involved in this plot will be held accountable.

“Secretary Jennings plans to communicate with all members of the military, inviting them to begin separation if they feel they’re unable to serve their commander in chief with loyalty as well as fealty to the Constitution and all it stands for. Anyone who wishes to separate from the military will be dishonorably discharged with no further benefits or privileges.

“This is a heartbreaking day for our democracy, but we’ll go forward from here, confident in the knowledge that our government is legitimate and working on behalf of the American people every day. You have my word on that. When former President Nelson asked me to take the place of the ailing Vice President Gooding, I did so with the full knowledge that I might be called upon to take President Nelson’s place should the need arise. The Senate confirmed me with the full understanding that I would be the next president if President Nelson died in office. The fact that I am now the president is exactly what the framers of the Constitution intended when they dealt with the matter of presidential succession. Frankly, I’m tired of the words ‘illegitimate president.’ In the eyes of the Constitution, I am entirely legitimate. I’ll take a few questions.”

“Mr. President, how did you find out about the alleged plot?”

“From a confidential source.”

“What did the Joint Chiefs say when you confronted them with your knowledge of the plot?”

“Chairman Wilson asked for his lawyer. The others had no comment, but none of them denied participating in the plot.”

“With our top military officers allegedly focused on a plot like this, is our country safe?”

“Our dedicated military members around the world are standing watch tonight and every night to ensure the safety and protection of the United States and its citizens. No one should be concerned about our national defense nor convinced that there’re weaknesses due to the actions of a few people who had an overinflated sense of their own power. Our country is as strong now as it was earlier today, before we knew about this nefarious plot.”

“Mr. President, by anyone’s estimate, this hasn’t been a good day for you or your administration.”

Way to state the obvious, dickwad,Sam thought.

“Can you tell us how you felt when you learned of the plot and also when you heard your mother had been arrested?”

Sam wanted to smack the reporter. Since she couldn’t do that, she stared at him with intense focus, hoping she was making him uncomfortable.

“It was a tough day from beginning to end. When I heard about the plot among the Joint Chiefs, I felt disappointed more than anything. That these decorated military officers would risk their positions, reputations, pensions and freedom to get rid of me wasn’t a good feeling, to say the least. But as I have since I took the oath of office, I moved quickly and efficiently to do what was in the best interest of our country and the American people. That’s what I’ll continue to do for as long as I hold this office. To reiterate what Christina told you earlier regarding my mother, I have no relationship with her, so I can’t speak to her arrest or the charges. That’s all for tonight. I’ll update you again tomorrow.”

Other reporters yelled questions at Nick that he ignored. He reached for Sam’s hand and led her out of the room.

Vice President Henderson followed them.

“You handled that as well as possible, Mr. President,” Henderson said.

“There was no precedent for it,” Nick said. “That’s for sure.”

As she had on previous meetings, Sam picked up the same unsettling vibe from the vice president. The woman was strikingly gorgeous, with shiny dark hair, dark eyes made up to “pop” and lips covered in bright red lipstick that would look cheap on a lesser woman. On her, it was classy. Sam wished she knew why she’d taken an instant dislike to someone who’d never done anything to her, but her gut rarely steered her wrong. It was telling her she wasn’t to be trusted. If that was true, Sam could only hope they’d find out why sooner rather than later.

“You’ve had a long day,” Sam said to Nick. “Let’s get to bed.”

“See you tomorrow, Gretchen.”

“Yes, sir. Nice to see you again, Mrs. Cappuano.”

Sam should tell her to call her by her given name, but she didn’t. “You as well.”

“Frosty,” Nick said when they’d walked away from Gretchen.

“What?”

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