by Ciana Stone
"Of course, sir."
"Thank you. First, when agents arrived at my daughter's apartment, why did you surrender yourself and identify yourself as the Hood?"
"To ensure nothing would stand in the way of you becoming President."
Richard appeared to be taken aback by that statement. "And not to protect my daughter?"
"That was an added perk, you might say and at the risk of offending you, but in the spirit of honesty, had you not been in the position you are, I might have considered letting Amber share the blame since she was an integral part of it."
"I see. I appreciate your honesty. I also have recently learned it was my wife who drafted your assistance and sent you to Russia?"
"Yes, sir."
"Is there anything you'd like to tell me about that?"
"I believe you've already been told what I accomplished in my time there, sir."
"Let me be frank, Naomie. Did my wife enlist or coerce your cooperation."
"A bit of both," she looked at Sharon for a moment, then continued. "Not that it matters. The goal was still the same, regardless of how it was approached."
"I see. Well, it does matter to me, and I would like to apologize for any disrespect you've suffered or unkindness. However, until I am sworn in, I cannot release you. As much as I'd like to, I don't have the power, and my wife is not inclined to do so. She believes there is more to be accomplished."
"I agree, sir."
This time he admitted his surprise. "I didn't expect that. Are you saying you'd willingly continue with your work?"
"Yes, sir."
"May I know the reason why?"
"To make sure that when you take office, you have everything you need to get rid of Petrov and all those like him and start making long-overdue changes. There's pervasive corruption in our government that needs to be eliminated, and I believe you're the man to do it. So, I'll do my part to make sure you have all the information you need."
"And when the job is done?"
"Then I hope you'll wish me well and get to work setting things to right, sir."
"And what will you do?"
"I don't know, sir. I suppose I'll figure that out when the time comes."
Richard stood. "I want to thank you, Naomie. I don't know that I deserve such support and loyalty, but I certainly appreciate it, and one day, I hope I can demonstrate that."
"Thank you, sir. Is that all?"
"It is."
She nodded to John, looked at Sharon then stood and walked to the door. The Agent posted there escorted her back to her small office. "Is there anything you need, Dr. Taylor?"
"Nothing you can provide, but thank you."
Once she was alone, she sat down at the desk and typed on the keyboard. A photo of Russell appeared on one of the monitors. Tears slid down her cheeks as she sat and stared at the face of the man who'd stolen her heart.
Stolen it and then broken it. She finally knew what it meant to be broken-hearted. The question was, once this mess was all settled, what in the world was she going to do with herself? How fast and how far could she run to escape this pain?
Or was it the one thing she couldn't hide from no matter how far she ran?
Chapter Twenty-One
Washington, D.C.
Russell sat between his mother and Cici on the front row, waiting for Richard and Sharon's arrival. Until today he'd had no issue accepting that his brother would become the next President of the United States. Perhaps because until today it hadn't seemed real.
Now, as he looked out over the sea of people, reality slapped him in the face, and that reality was comprised of a lot more than just Richard's victory. Life had been both kind and harsh, in measures he wasn't sure were equal.
Over the last two years, his family had undergone changes. Delaney tried twice to kill herself and once to kill her grandmother, and after many diagnoses and months of outpatient therapy, he was convinced of the necessity of having her committed.
Russell would never have admitted to anyone how much that'd hurt. Well, he would have admitted it to Naomie at one time, but their time ended, and he didn't expect he'd ever see her again. Of all the trials he'd faced, learning to live without her was the hardest and the most painful. He couldn't honestly say he'd mastered that particular skill. Sometimes it hurt so bad he felt it would take him to his knees.
He gave thanks every day for his family. Mace and Bailey now had a little boy, Matthew, who was almost a year old and already running like he couldn't get wherever it was he wanted to go, fast enough.
Nash and Harley married last year, and she'd moved to Heritage but still ran her rodeo school. They were talking about starting a family, and Rusty was all for it. He won the Little Britches National two years in a row.
As promised, the breeding program Naomie started was starting to produce exceptional animals. It's not as good as it might have been if she hadn't disappeared, but then nothing was as good as it had been when she was with him.
"There they come," his mother touched his arm, and Russell turned to see his brother and sister-in-law, walking down the steps of the Capitol building. A cheer went up that was deafening, and he clapped right along with everyone else.
Look at that, Dad, he thought. I wish you could be here for this.
What makes you think I'm not?
Russell didn't even blink at the sound of his father's voice in his mind. It'd become his companion over the last few years, and if that made him crazy, he didn't much care. He'd hang onto the people he loved however he could, even if it was as a ghost in his mind.
Within moments, all his attention was on his brother. Russell felt a swell of pride witnessing his brother take the oath of office. And when at the end of his speech a cheer went up from so many voices, he felt the power of it like a wave passing through his body.
It'd been a long time since the country had been so united in support of a President-elect and he felt honored to be present for the moment. The only member of the family who seemed less than enthusiastic was Riggs and for the life of him, Russell couldn't figure out why.
Ever since Naomie vanished, Riggs had been a changed man. Quieter, with eyes that always seemed on alert. Russell and DeLyn almost had to beg to get him to attend the inauguration. He'd successfully avoided every family gathering where Amber, Richard or Sharon had been in attendance.
Russell tried to corner Riggs about it, but so far had no clue what had happened to make him so reluctant to be with the family.
When the evening finally rolled around, and the family was seated in the grand ballroom, he thought he might get another chance. Amber was there, and to Russell's surprise, he saw her and Riggs off to one side, talking.
"Excuse me," Russell rose from his chair and started across the ballroom. The closer he got to Riggs and Amber, the more it looked like their conversation was more of an argument. The tension in their bodies and facial expressions told a story that concerned him. What could they be arguing about?
"Everything okay, son?"
Riggs gave Amber an angry glare, then turned his attention to Russell. "Fine."
"It didn't look fine."
"Oh, you know Riggs, Uncle Russell," Amber said. "No one ever lives up to his high standards."
"As someone who has none, how the fuck would you know?" Riggs shot back.
"Whoa," Russell took Riggs' arm and steered him away. "What the heck is all that about?"
"Nothing."
"Seems like a lot more than nothing."
"Well, it's nothing we can talk about here. Let's take our seats, they'll be coming out soon."
They'd barely sat when the fanfare sounded, and Richard took the stage with Sharon. The cheers and applause went on and on until finally, Richard held up his hands and shouted for silence. He gave a brief speech of thanks, pledging to work tirelessly and in cooperation with both parties, for the good of America and then he had a dance with the new First Lady.
From that point on the night consisted of g
reeting and shaking hands with people Russell had never met and probably would never see again, having a moment of conversation now and again with a member of his family or being asked to dance by women who were apparently cruising for the next husband.
Russell was thrilled for Richard, but couldn't remember ever being so miserable at an event. The New Year's Eve he'd danced with Naomie and their first kiss was all he could think about. Would he forever compare every social event to that or every woman to her?
If this was what real love was like, he wished he'd never found it because now when he tried to look forward, the future looked pretty damn dismal.
"Hey, having fun?" Richard walked up beside him.
"Damn proud of you, Rich. I wish like hell dad could be here."
"Me too. Listen, I know you planned on leaving early in the morning, but could you stick around. I'd like you to come to the White House tomorrow morning at ten."
"I guess I can leave at any time. Is this to show me your new digs?"
Richard smiled. "Something better, I hope. I'll have a car sent for you at 9:30."
"All right. If you don't mind, I think I'll call it a night."
"Sure. Thanks again for being here, Russ."
"It's an honor, Mr. President."
Richard grinned. "That sounds strange as hell coming from you."
"Not half as strange as saying it. Go enjoy your victory. I'll see you in the morning."
Russell located Cici and Kal and asked if they'd make sure DeLyn got safely back to the hotel, then headed outside where he called for an Uber. He didn't know how anyone liked living here. There was always noise, traffic, planes overhead, and actually seeing the sky was a challenge because of all the lights.
City life wasn’t and never had been for him. He was meant for life on the ranch and was blessed to be able to live as he chose. All in all, he was a lucky man. Except for one thing. He'd lost the woman he loved and had no clue how to find her.
The White House
"Thank you, Miss," Russell nodded his thanks to the aide who escorted him to the Oval Office and stepped aside for him to enter as Richard granted permission.
The room looked different from the photos he'd seen of the previous President. It now reflected more of a subdued, and in Russell's opinion, more dignified appearance. Richard stood in front of the desk, talking with two men Russell didn't know.
"Russ," Richard waved him over. "Come. Let me introduce you."
When Russell reached the trio, Richard put his hand on the top of Russell's shoulder. "Sam, Evert, this is my brother, Russell Walker. Russ, meet Sam Kincade, the temporary acting Attorney General, whom we hope will be quickly confirmed, and Eric Dansforth, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
"Gentlemen," Russell nodded and shook their hands, then added. "It's an honor, but I confess to being confused as to why I was asked here."
"Please, everyone, have a seat," Richard said and then walked behind the desk to press a button on the phone. "Carolyn, would you send them in please?"
Russell was glad he was sitting down when the door opened because he actually felt a momentary bout of dizziness as if the floor had shifted beneath them. Naomie was escorted in by two women, clearly agents or law enforcement of some kind, as evidenced by the badges on their belts. She kept her eyes on the floor, never once raising her head
"That will be all, thank you," Richard said to the female agents, and when they turned, he focused his attention on Naomie. "Dr. Taylor, please, have a seat." He gestured to a sole chair in front of the desk.
That's when she raised her head, but only to look directly at Richard. She sat, her back ramrod straight as Richard circled around the desk to take a seat in the President's chair.
Richard cleared his throat and looked at the people in the room. "Over the last few years, there've been multiple news stories about the Robin Hood and the deeds attributed to this individual. What was not recounted, and only recently uncovered that despite what appears to have been multiple crimes, the Robin Hood provided evidence for the Justice Department showing clear crimes that were committed by the very organizations and corporations which suffered losses at the hands of the Robin Hood."
He paused and lifted a glass of water to take a sip. "Special committees were formed by the House and Senate two years ago when contemporaneous information was released along with evidence against these corporations that led to indictments against the former President's son for a variety of crimes.
"He not only conspired with foreign operatives, to monetize the Presidency to his family's advantage but to topple our entire system of government through subterfuge, deception and the manufacture of false evidence that led to faulty decisions being made by the then sitting President.
"Had it not been for the efforts of Dr. Naomie Taylor, seated before you today, their plan may well have succeeded."
Richard finally looked at Naomie. "Dr. Taylor, I hope you will accept my sincere apology for your detention and the subsequent work you did for this country to bring the truth to light and to demonstrate and prove beyond all doubt, your dedication and integrity. All charges against you have been dropped, and you are free to go with the thanks of a grateful nation and an even more grateful President."
He stood, rounded the desk, and offered his hand to Naomie. She rose and shook his hand. "Thank you, Mr. President. May I now leave?"
"Absolutely. Someone is waiting to escort you to gather your personal belongings and to arrange for transportation."
"Thank you, sir."
It was then she looked at Russell, and in that brief moment, he saw the misery in her eyes. It nearly stopped his heart.
"Gentlemen, I thank you for your presence and for helping me to right this grievous wrong," Richard said.
The men nodded and made their exit, and for a few moments, Russell and Richard just looked at one another. Then Russell spoke. "What the fuck, Rich?"
Outside of the Oval Office, Amber was waiting for Naomie. So was John Rushing. Naomie stopped and stared at them. The agents waiting to escort Naomie were waiting at the door across the room.
"I'm so sorry, Naomie," Amber rushed over to her and started to hug her, but Naomie held up both hands, palms out and stepped back.
"Look, I know you never wanted to get into all that Robin Hood stuff," Amber whispered. "I know you did it because you felt you owed me, and I swear to God I never meant you to take the fall for it. And I know my mother's involvement, too. She finally admitted it. I thought she and dad were going to call it quits over that, but they eventually worked things out.
"And that's not important. I know what she did and because of it you lost months of your life and I wish I could make up for that."
Naomie cut a glance at John before turning her attention back to Amber. "But you can't. Just like you can't make up for me losing the man I love. None of it can be changed. I suppose I should congratulate you for emerging unscathed from all this, with the man you set out to trap. I hope you will be happy together."
"We're not together," John spoke up. "I'll never approve of what she did to you. You might be willing to one day forgive her, but I don't think I will, and I damn sure will never trust her again. I work for the President. That's it. Amber and I have been done for quite some time."
Naomie nodded. "Well, good luck, John. I wish you well. Right now, I'd like to get my things and get out of this place. It's time for me to go home."
"To Texas?" he asked.
"No, to where I come from. I need to spend time with people I know love me." With that, she walked around them to where the agents waited. "I'm ready."
Amber and John watched her leave, then Amber went to the door of the Oval Office and knocked. "Dad? Can I come in?"
A few moments later, the door opened. "Can I speak with you and Uncle Russ, please? It's important."
Richard gestured for her to enter and nodded to John, who took a position outside the door. "Can you turn off all recordings for a few min
utes?" Amber asked.
Richard frowned, but went to the door to give John the directive. A minute passed while they all waited before there was a tap on the door. Richard opened it, and John nodded. "It's done, Mr. President."
"Okay, so why all the secrecy?" Richard said as he took a seat on the couch across from where Naomie sat.
"There's something you need to know," she said and looked at Russell. "Both of you."
"We're listening," Richard replied.
"First, Naomie never set out to be the Robin Hood. I don't know if you're aware, but while she was working on some black op project for the Pentagon, she was in Russia, and Aleksei Petrov found out. He put her in a cage, and for six months, she was abused."
She looked at Russell. "I know she told you. What she might have glossed over was how fucked up she was when I found her. We'd had a brief affair before she went to Russia and when all the shit went down, I was there on assignment. She had to kill a man. Petrov gave her to someone to be a sex slave. She killed him in order to escape, and for a while, she was screwed up, you know?
"Anyway, when I came up with the idea, she tried to talk me out of it, but I was– I don't know what I was, bored, eager for– for something, and she was scared I'd end up in prison, so she helped me."
"Jesus, Amber," Russell barked.
"I know. I know, and I'm sorry. I never imagined we’d be so successful. Then when Petrov started causing trouble for the family, and Kal, I told her it was time to get even. She had a lot of hate built up, and because she believed he was behind gramp’s death and would hurt more of our family, she said we'd take him down.
"Once the sex tape was released, she said she was done. Only Mom wouldn't let her quit. You might already know that. She told Naomie that Uncle Russ didn't care about her. If he had, he'd have come after her, but she was just another in a long line of discarded wives and lovers.
"Naomie felt like she'd lost everything, so she gave in to mom. She said at least she could stop Petrov once and for all and protect our family. She really believes in you Dad, and because she was trying to save our family, she lost everything.