Situation Room Read online

  “So, did she. She’ll be here tomorrow afternoon.”

  “What happened?”

  “I don’t know,” Jameson replied honestly. “All I do know is that when we landed, she headed downstairs. She called to tell me I should leave without her. She would call as soon as she could. She texted an hour ago to say she’d see us tomorrow afternoon and she’d call when she could.”

  “How are you handling all of this?”

  Jameson shrugged. “Believe it or not, I think we’ve finally found our footing. She’d be here if she could, Marianne. Whatever is happening, it requires her attention more than we do.”

  “You seem more relaxed.”

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I am.”

  “We had a nice trip—busy, but it was something we both needed.”

  “Looked like you were on the go almost 24/7.”

  “It didn’t look that way. It was that way.”

  “Interesting remedy,” Marianne offered.

  “We had time together,” Jameson said.

  Marianne noticed the flush of Jameson’s cheeks. “When in Rome?”

  “And in Munich, and in Brussels,” Jameson quipped.

  “Trading in Bible Study for Around the World in 80 Days?”

  “Eighty days? That might kill us both.”

  Marianne laughed.

  “I think your mother gained some perspective in Europe.”

  “Perspective?”

  “Yeah. Face it, there are not many people who know what it’s like to lead a country—people who get the calls Candace gets in the middle of the night.”

  “She has President Wallace.”

  “True. I think Theresa might have played the biggest role?”

  “Chancellor Keller?”

  “Um-hum.”

  “Really? She seems so dry.”

  Jameson laughed so hard that she snorted. “Anyone seems dry compared to your mom.”

  “True.”

  “They clicked on more than one level.”

  “As women, you mean?”

  “As women who run countries,” Jameson said.

  “What about you?”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah, you got a bit of press coverage.”

  Jameson rolled her eyes. “I don’t pay it any mind.”

  “Lawson Klein was on a roll.”

  “Fuck Lawson Klein,” Jameson said.

  Marianne chuckled. “No thanks.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t hate people, Marianne. I hate that man. Laura is still terrified of him.”

  “I know she is. I’ll never understand it.”

  “Me neither.”

  “Momma!” Cooper sprinted through the back door and straight for Jameson.

  “Whoa!” Jameson accepted Cooper’s enthusiastic hug. “You grew!”

  “Where’s Mommy?”

  “She’ll be here tomorrow, buddy.”

  Cooper frowned.

  “Hey,” Jameson called to him. “I know you thought she’d be here. She did too. We got back and she had to take care of a few things at the other house. She’ll be here tomorrow, Coop. And, besides, I kind of hoped you and me might go for pizza tonight.”

  “Just you and me?” he asked.

  “Just you and me.”

  Cooper grinned.

  “Why don’t you go find Spence and play for a little while?”

  “Momma? Could Spence come with us?”

  “If you want Spencer to come with us and Marianne says it’s okay.”

  Cooper looked at his sister hopefully.

  “Spencer can go with you,” she said. Cooper smiled brightly and scampered off.

  “It’s been a while since those two had an outing with you,” Marianne said. She noticed the excitement in Jameson’s eyes. Jameson loved Spencer as much as she did any human.

  “Too long, “ Jameson said.

  Marianne squeezed Jameson’s hand. “I’m going to check on them and make sure they aren’t erecting some structure out of all my blankets again.”

  Jameson chuckled. “Save the sheets, Marianne.”

  “Hey, it’s a worthy cause.”

  Jameson’s phone buzzed. “Hey,” she answered.

  “Hi,” Candace said. “I’m sorry about today.”

  “It’s okay. I got a pizza date out of your absence.”

  Candace laughed. She needed to laugh, and hearing Jameson’s playful voice did the trick. “Relieved to get out of eating Chinese take-out. That was my plan.”

  “Was your plan? Are you still downstairs?”

  “I am.”

  “Still? Candace, it’s five o’clock.”

  “At least, it’s still P.M.”

  “I know you can’t tell me, so I won’t ask. What can I do?”

  “Crack open a fortune cookie from my cabinet and tell me what it says,” Candace quipped.

  “You don’t need a fortune cookie.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

  “Listen, if you need to—”

  “I’ll be home tomorrow afternoon,” Candace put Jameson’s thought to rest. “Don’t make plans for Sunday.”

  “Okay?”

  “Tell the kids not to expect us to be home Sunday night.”

  “What are you up to?” Jameson asked.

  “Just tell them,” Candace said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Eat something.”

  “I had some pretzels.”

  “Candace.”

  “I’ll find something.”

  “If you need me—”

  “Enjoy your pizza date,” Candace said.

  “I will. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Jameson. Kiss the kids for me.”

  “I will. I’ll see you.”

  “You will.”

  Jameson grumbled. She lifted her phone again. “Hey, Dana…”

  ***

  Candace reviewed the information that had been presented to her while she waited for Alex’s call. A knock on the door to her secure office startled her. She looked outside the window to see Agent Everson holding up a paper bag. Candace opened the door. “Blake?”

  “Mrs. Russo asked that I deliver this,” he explained. “She said that Ms. Reid was specific with her instructions—eat.”

  Candace laughed. “I’ll bet she was. Thank you.”

  “Anything else that I can get you?” Agent Everson asked.

  Candace noted concern in his eyes. Blake Everson had been assigned to President Candace Reid on the campaign trail, and she had specifically requested him for her detail. She thought the notion that any agent could remain emotionless was absurd. Everson, like all the agents that protected the First Family was professional. He worked to remain detached. Detachment was impossible when you traveled with someone every day, and when you were privy to some of the most intimate moments of a person’s life. He could read Candace’s emotions. She smiled at him, peeked inside the bag, retrieved a fortune cookie, and winked. “No. I think Jameson covered all the bases. Thank you.”

  “I’ll be outside if—”

  “Make sure you eat,” Candace advised him.

  He nodded. “Ms. Reid took care of that too,” he told her.

  Candace grinned. Jameson, you are one-of-a-kind. She returned to her desk, opened the container of chicken wings in the bag, and went back to work.

  ***

  “I want to loop you in with Candace,” Alex told Claire.

  “Alex, I’m not sure what is going on in Kaliningrad.”

  “But you have an idea.”

  “Yeah, I do. I haven’t gotten close enough to prove it yet.”

  “Can you? Get close enough?” Alex asked.

  “Of course.”

  “What about Biocon?” Alex asked.

  “I don’t know. ASA has ties to almost every corporation in tech. You know that. Either they contract from them or invest in them. When you acquired Myogen at Carecom, that set them spinning. They’ve made it a poi
nt to have their hands in every piece of the pie possible.”

  “I need you to tell Candace what you know. You, not me. She needs to hear it from you, Claire.”

  “Fine. If she wants me to move closer, I need to move soon.”

  “Then let’s get on with it.”

  ***

  Jameson listened to Cooper and Spencer’s conversation with amusement. They had grown more than she cared to examine. It seemed like yesterday to her that Spencer was learning to speak sentences. Now, the boys sat next to each other discussing everything from their friends at school to their favorite superheroes. She wondered if they remembered she was present.

  “Who’s you favorite, Momma?” Cooper asked.

  “My favorite superhero?”

  “Yeah.”

  Jameson frowned. “I don’t know if I have one.”

  “Everyone has one, Jay,” Spencer said.

  “Is that so?” Jameson asked.

  “Yeah,” Cooper said.

  “Yours is Genie,” Jameson said to Cooper.

  “Genie’s not a superhero,” he replied seriously.

  “Yeah, he’s a genie, Jay,” Spencer explained.

  “Oh. That’s different, huh?”

  “Yep. He’s magic,” Cooper said.

  “Like Superman?” Jameson inquired.

  “Jay!” Spencer said with exasperation. “Superman isn’t magic,” he told her with a roll of his eyes.

  “He’s not? But he can see through things,” Jameson reminded the boys.

  “He’s an alien, Momma,” Cooper said.

  Jameson watched as Spencer smacked his forehead and Cooper shook his head. “Well, how was I supposed to know?” Jameson asked.

  “Momma,” Cooper said seriously. “Don’t you pay attention?

  It took every ounce of self-control Jameson possessed not to laugh out loud. She decided to play along. “What about Spiderman? He’s magic.” Both boys stared at her.

  “What? He can climb walls!” Jameson said.

  “’Cause he got bit,” Spencer told her. “By a spider.”

  “Yeah, so now he’s like part spider,” Cooper said.

  “Oh. What about Wonder Woman?” Jameson asked.

  “Amazon,” Cooper said. “And, part God.”

  “So, she’s magic,” Jameson replied.

  Spencer smacked his forehead again and looked at Cooper seriously. “She’s hopeless.” Cooper nodded his agreement.

  That did it for Jameson; she fell over laughing. Cooper and Spencer watched her, both continuing to shake their heads. The more they chastised her silently, the harder she laughed. Oh, I wish you were here to see this, Candace.

  ***

  “I’m listening,” Candace said.

  “I wish I could tell you for certain,” Claire said. “I don’t think it’s a biological weapon—not in the traditional sense.”

  “Why not?” Candace asked.

  “It’s not the Russians style,” Claire said.

  “Many would disagree,” Candace replied.

  “They would,” Alex agreed. “That suits Kapralov just fine. His roots are KGB, Candace. The KBG is a lot more subtle, and frankly a lot smarter than employing biological warfare broadly. That’s not their playbook. They target individuals with those measures, not countries. That wouldn’t serve their purpose. They like us to think it might.”

  Candace groaned. “I need a decision by morning.”

  “Let me go in,” Claire suggested.

  “Go in?” Candace asked.

  “We think there’s a tunnel system running beneath the city,” Alex explained.

  “Go on,” Candace said.

  “Kaliningrad was a German city before Would War I,” Alex continued. “Then it became part of Poland. There’s historical precedent, Candace. The Nazi’s built cities underground.”

  “I’m aware.”

  “Yes, but there is a reason that The Soviet Union wanted Kaliningrad in its pocket.”

  “I’m also aware.”

  Claire picked up Alex’s explanation. “On its face, the port access makes sense. Why would anyone look beneath the surface? Few people look beneath the surface,” she said.

  “And what do you expect to find?” Candace asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Claire confessed. “Not much would surprise me. If I can get close enough, maybe you will have the information you need. Maybe I can disrupt things from here.”

  “What do you propose?” Candace asked.

  “It depends on what I find. Listen, one person in has a better chance of success. No one knows I’m here. Gregorovich thinks I’m in Poland. Krause will create the trail that I left this morning for Luxembourg to meet a contact there. It will be thorough,” Claire said.

  “It’s the best option,” Alex said.

  “How much risk?” Candace asked.

  “There’s always risk,” Claire replied. “That’s why you don’t get caught.”

  Candace groaned.

  “I’ve been in more dangerous situations,” Claire said.

  Candace considered the alternative placed before her. “Just be certain you get out of there in one piece.”

  “That’s the plan,” Claire replied. “I’ll leave you two to talk about me.”

  “Claire,” Alex said over the line. “Get home.”

  “See you next week,” Claire said.

  “I don’t like this,” Candace told Alex.

  “Neither do I, but it’s the best option. Claire’s good, Candace. She can handle herself.”

  “But can she handle what she finds?”

  Alex sighed. “Let’s hope so.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  “Ice cream?” Tate asked when he entered the private kitchen.

  “That’s for you,” Candace said.

  “What’s going on?” he asked. “Why do I think it involves Toles.”

  “Agent Brackett thinks she might be able to get us the information we need.”

  Tate nodded.

  “You’re not surprised.”

  “No. Claire is the best when it comes to getting into hard to reach places. Better than Toles, in fact.”

  “Why is that?” Candace asked.

  “She’s fearless,” he explained.

  “It’s risky.”

  ‘It’s always risky,” he replied. “She’s in Ukraine?”

  “Kaliningrad.”

  Tate seemed surprised. “Straight to the source.”

  “Alex and Claire seem confident whatever is going on it is not about a traditional weapon.”

  “Safe bet,” Tate agreed.

  “Then why is Rollins so hot for us to act?”

  “Can’t say. To send a message, I suppose. A message that you are aware, and you can play the game as well as any—”

  “Man that came before me?”

  “President, but yes. How long before you’ll know?” he asked Candace.

  “Not sure. I’m headed back downstairs in a few minutes. I thought you might join me.”

  “Can I bring my ice cream?”

  Candace laughed. “I need you on this, Joshua. Whatever I decide, I need you behind me.”

  “You never have to worry about that,” he told her. “Let’s hope Claire is successful.”

  “If not, Jameson provided a back-up plan.”

  “Jameson?”

  “Yeah.” Candace picked up a fortune cookie from the table.

  Tate laughed. “Might be the best predictor,” he confessed.

  Candace nodded. “Scary thought.”

  “But accurate.”

  ***

  “Fuck,” Claire grumbled. She adjusted her ear piece. “Can you hear me?”

  Eleana chuckled. “I can hear you. Any sign of an entrance?”

  “What makes Illya think there’s an entrance here?” Claire asked. She looked up at the historical gate and shook her head. “It’s a restaurant, El.”

  “Perfect place to conceal something,” Eleana said. “And it wasn’t always
a restaurant.”

  “Yeah, no kidding. Did your friend have any idea where I should look?”

  “Through the dining area. Look toward the kitchen.”

  “You know, this would’ve been easier if they were closed.”

  Eleana chuckled. “I have faith in you.”

  “But do you have faith in my Russian?” Claire asked.

  “That’s why you have me.”

  Claire looked to her left. She flashed a smile at a waiter and approached him. She politely asked for the restrooms and thanked him when he pointed the way. “Found the kitchen,” she said. “Why is the kitchen always near a bathroom?”

  Eleana laughed. “Probably because of plumbing.”

  “Gross.”

  “Also, probably a good place—”

  “To hide something. I know. I’m going to have to maneuver a bit on my end. I’ll check in when I have something.”

  “Just be careful.”

  “Just keep listening in case I need a translator.”

  “Claire, your Russian is almost as impeccable as mine.”

  “Don’t count on that. It’s been a while.”

  ***

  Candace massaged her eyes.

  “You need a break,” Tate said. “It’ll be a while. Call Jameson,” he suggested. “Take a walk. Stretch your legs. If Alex calls in, I will call you immediately. Take a break, Candace. You can look at intelligence reports for days. Claire is our best hope right now. Go clear your head.”

  “Do I look that bad?”

  “No. I’ve done this a few more times than you have. I know you’re worried. Worried about Claire, and worried about giving your decision.”

  “I’m not afraid to act, Joshua. I’m also not inclined to act on a guess.”

  “Yes, I know. That might be what you have to do. If there is anything to find, Claire will uncover it. If she has a way to disrupt whatever they are up to, she’ll make it happen.”

  “At what cost?” Candace asked.

  Tate sighed. “If it costs her—she knows the risk. They all do, Candace. They accepted those risks when they signed up for this life. That included Alex, and me.”

  “That doesn’t make it easier for me.”

  He smiled and clasped her hand. “And that is why you are the president. Take a walk. Trust me; it will help.”

  “Call me if—”

  “I will. You have time—take it.”

  Candace nodded gratefully.

  ***

  “I didn’t think I’d hear from you,” Jameson said.

  “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to call. Sorry it’s so late.”