“I’m having one of those days myself today, Jackie.” Martine Connor patted herself on the shoulder as she made her way back into the Oval Office, where she plopped down in a very unpresidential sprawl. “And the truth will set you free.” That quotation from Jesus’ speech to the children of Abraham on the Mount of Olives was right on the money.
The president’s gaze went to the impressive stack of pardons sitting on the corner of her desk. The very same pardons she knew Henry Jellicoe was looking for. Did he think for one minute that he had fooled her? Obviously he did. Her face burned at the thought. And all that arm waving and the oversize watch. She’d been wise to that, too. But she had let him get away with it. She’d let him use her. Her face continued to burn. Well, she had no one but herself to blame. She’d allowed herself to be bamboozled by her advisors. And to think it took only a roll in the hay to bring it front and center. The heat in her face and neck grew so intense, she got up and ran to the small private lavatory and doused her face with cold water.
The moment she stepped back into the office, Jackie Hollis rapped on the door. “Madam President, Mr. Jellicoe would like me to put him through to your office.”
“I bet he would. Can I trust you to deliver a verbatim message, Jackie?”
“Of course, Madam President. And that message would be…what?”
“Tell Mr. Jellicoe that as the leader of the free world, I am contemplating my navel and cannot be disturbed. Verbatim, Jackie.”
“Shall I wait for a reply, Madam President?”
“Absolutely not, and if he calls back, tell him I cannot take his call. I also want his clearance rescinded immediately.”
Martine Connor dusted her hands dramatically, then walked over to the window the minute Jackie Hollis closed the door behind her.
Her mother had always told her as a child not to cut off her nose to spite her face. At the time she had had no clue what that meant, but she did now. And yet, here she was all those years later, and the president of the United States to boot. “And what did I just do? I just cut off my nose to spite my face,” she mumbled.
Toby Daniels poked his head in the door. “Madam President, we have five minutes to the meeting in the Situation Room, and your press secretary would like five minutes of your time after the meeting. If she runs into overtime, you will still make your luncheon with Lizzie.”
The president gathered up her folder and her briefing book and followed her chief of staff out of the office. Before she left, she laid her hand on the stack of pardons sitting on her desk, a move that did not go unnoticed by her COS. He wished he could clap her on the back and say something like, “Good going, Madam President,” but that would not be seemly, so he just grinned as he followed the leader of the free world down the hallway.
Lizzie thanked the Secret Service agent for the escort to the president’s quarters. Martine Connor opened the door the minute she heard footsteps outside. If she sensed a slight stiffness to Lizzie’s slim form, she ignored it as she gave her friend a bone-crushing hug. She linked her arm with Lizzie’s as she led her into the kitchen, where lunch was already laid out under gleaming silver domes.
“Remember now, we’re Marti and Lizzie in here. I have so much to tell you. I have things to apologize for and some things I think you might congratulate me for, but first, let’s eat and talk about nothing serious. Are you settling in? How’s your husband? What do you think of this awful weather?”
“I am settling in, but I have to tell you, this is a very boring job. I have to be honest. I don’t think I could ever get used to it.” Lizzie chomped down on a briny pickle and rolled her eyes. “I haven’t had a pickle like this since I was a kid.”
“I’ll send you a barrelful. The chef puts them on every plate, no matter what he serves me. And your new husband?”
“He’s fine, but he misses me. As for the weather, spring can’t get here soon enough for me.”
The small talk continued, talk of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and the latest Washington gossip. And then it was like some invisible alarm went off that only Martine could hear. She pushed her plate aside and leaned toward Lizzie, her voice low but not a whisper. “We need to talk, Lizzie. I want you to listen to me very carefully, and I don’t want you to say a word until I’m finished. Agreed?”
Lizzie nodded, then watched as Martine got up and started rummaging in the kitchen drawers. When she sat back down, she opened her clenched hand. Coins dropped on the table. “Sixty-seven cents. Your retainer. Do you accept it?”
Puzzled, Lizzie nodded.
Martine Connor took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Lizzie thought she saw a fine sheen of perspiration bead up on the president’s forehead. “In my zeal to honor my promise to you and the vigilantes, I may have…No, that’s wrong. I made a mistake. At least I think I might have made a mistake. Quite by accident, I overheard one of my senior advisors talking on his cell. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, and I gave no indication that I had heard his end of the conversation. It would seem he and Justice Douglas Leonard are friends. Justice Leonard is gravely ill. He’ll be leaving the court when it goes into recess. No one knows this, Lizzie, except for a few people. I anguished over that information before I acted on it. I used my office to…to try and make it work for me, for you, and for the vigilantes. When I spoke to Justice Leonard and explained the situation, he agreed to help me. Quite willingly, I might add. It was Justice Leonard who came up with the scenario that…that we used in my attempt to resolve my problem. And it is…was a problem. I hope this is making sense to you, Lizzie.” Martine held up her hand. “No, no, don’t say anything yet.”
Lizzie shifted in her chair, her eyes glued to the woman opposite her, her ears tuned to every word the president was saying.
“So what I did was hatch this plan. Then I threw it out there, to your husband, who assured me he wouldn’t mention my plan to you. Did he, Lizzie?”
“No, Martine, he didn’t mention it to me.”
“I hated asking him to keep something like that secret from you.”
Lizzie almost smiled. “What secret? Maybe you should tell me what this particular secret is so I know what you’re talking about.”
Martine Connor smiled, but it was a weary smile. “Lizzie, why don’t I believe that you don’t know what I’m talking about? Never mind. Don’t answer that. My plan, Lizzie, was to nominate you to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. Justice Leonard agreed with me and said you would make an excellent nominee. I was so relieved when he agreed with me. We all understand the vetting process, but I truly, truly believe we can make it happen.
“Did I have an ulterior motive? Of course I did. I thought I was buying time with the pardons and that you would somehow be so caught up in the process, you’d cut me some slack where the vigilantes were concerned. What that means to you, Lizzie, is, I was being a coward. And I was using you. I have it all in hand now. I stood tall, just the way you used to tell me to do. I’m not excusing myself, but I am trying to do the right thing now. I am doing it. You need to believe me, Lizzie. Please, I need you to say you forgive me.”
“What will my forgiveness do for you, Marti?”
“It will let me look in the mirror without loathing myself.”
“When will you pardon the vigilantes?”
“You do have a one-track mind, don’t you, Lizzie? The pardons are on my desk. Ready to go. My advisors…you know…That’s not even important anymore. Those advisors will be gone by three fifteen this afternoon. Henry has…He agreed to help me. By eight o’clock tomorrow morning, my new advisors will be on board. Everyone will step up to the plate, and we won’t be missing a beat. That’s what I most regret, that I allowed them to browbeat me, that I listened to them. So, in that sense I failed you and the Sisters. But, I’m making it right now, and whatever the fallout is, I’ll handle it.”
Lizzie’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t answer my question, Marti. When are you going to go public with the pardons?”
&nb
sp; “Lizzie! You aren’t getting it! They’re ready on my desk. That means anytime the vigilantes want to stop by and pick them up, they’re theirs. Why else do you think I’m having that silly patriotic party? I don’t mean it’s silly to be patriotic. I sort of thought the ladies would…you know…stop by and pick them up. Like during the party.”
Lizzie was stunned at the president’s declaration. “You’re serious, aren’t you? Why do you want to set yourself up like that? The press will crucify you.”
“The Post won’t. Lizzie, I know the score. Henry just tried to put one over on me. Now, that one hurt. I’m not going to worry about anything until I hear the word impeachment. Even then I don’t know if I’ll worry about it.”
“That’s a pretty gutsy attitude, even if you are the president.”
Martine Connor shrugged. “So, how do you feel about taking the bench on the Supreme Court? I know you know, Lizzie.”
Lizzie smiled. “It’s true, I do know, but Cosmo didn’t tell me. He enlisted the aid of a few friends, and word got back to Maggie Spritzer, who in turn told me. At first I thought it was a dream come true. As you know, every lawyer worth his or her salt aspires to sit on that particular court, and I’m no exception. I was stunned, ecstatic, over the moon, all of the above. Just to be nominated was enough. I don’t think I got as far in my thinking that it might actually happen. The vetting process is a killer. Everyone knows that.”
“What is it you’re trying to say, Lizzie?”
“What I’m saying is, no thanks!”
“Lizzie, it’s a sure shot. We can get you the appointment. Is it your husband? Why? I don’t understand.”
“It is a dream come true, and I do thank you, but I can’t accept. I’m pregnant, Marti. My doctor just called this morning to tell me my test came back positive. You’re the first to know. I haven’t even told Cosmo yet. I can’t believe it. Me! I’m going to be a mother! Me, of all people. Cosmo is…God, I don’t know what Cosmo is going to do or say.”
“Oh, Lizzie, how wonderful! You are going to be such a good mother. I’m sure your husband is going to…to go over the moon.” Tears filled the president’s eyes. “I am so happy for you and Cosmo. I understand completely. The Supreme Court wanes in light of motherhood.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Lizzie giggled. “I want you to be my baby’s godmother, Marti.”
Tears rolled down the president’s cheeks. “Even after…?”
Lizzie nodded. “I’m going to pack up and take the red-eye tonight. This is something I want to tell Cosmo face-to-face, not over the phone. I’ll be back in a few days.”
Martine was suddenly all business. “So, I want to be sure I understand what we’ve said here. It’s okay for the vigilantes to attend the patriotic party and pick up their pardons in person?”
Lizzie laughed. “The only thing you have to decide is this. Do you want to see them invade the White House, which is what they threatened to do, and you said would never happen, or do you want to pave the way for them and make it easy?”
“I think I’ll flip a coin. Call it, Lizzie.” The president picked up a quarter from the table. “Heads, the vigilantes invade the White House under their own power. Tails, I pave the way for it to happen.”
Lizzie laughed. “Heads!”
After Martine flipped the coin, it rolled around for what seemed an eternity, finally coming to a stop in front of Lizzie, with the American eagle grinning up at her.
“Tails,” Lizzie said, sounding disappointed. “Too bad. I guess you get to help in the invasion of the White House.”
Martine leaned close and hugged her old friend. “I’ll start looking for your replacement. I want you to enjoy every moment of your pregnancy. Truly, Lizzie, I am so happy for you. Can I plan a baby shower here at the White House?”
“Well, yeah, Marti. I want my baby to have that memory. Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Oh, Lizzie, I do. We could have it this summer in the Rose Garden.” The president looked at her watch. “Oh, God, I’m late. I have to go, Lizzie.”
Arms linked, the two women walked to the door. They hugged one last time before the president opened the door. She shed her personal persona like a chameleon and turned into the president of the United States. She winked at Lizzie and said, “Fly safe.”
“You know it, Madam President.”
Lizzie tripped down the hall behind the Secret Service agent. Her eyes sparkled as she started to hum under her breath.
She was pregnant.
She was going to be a mother.
How awesome was that?
Pretty damn awesome, she thought.
Chapter 18
Cosmo Cricket shifted in the oversize bed and sniffed Elizabeth’s scent on the pillow. He rolled over, the huge custom bed shaking with his weight. He could still smell her perfume, more so now. Was he dreaming? If he was dreaming, then how could he be aware of his wife’s perfume? He sniffed again, savoring the sweet, musky scent of her. He cracked one eye to see the red numerals on the digital clock. Way too early to get up. He sensed movement on the floor. He didn’t have a dog or a cat, so what was moving?
He reached out to snap on the bedside light as both eyes snapped open. “Elizabeth! What are you doing here? Why are you sitting on the floor? How long have you been sitting there?”
Lizzie smiled. “I came to see you. I’m sitting here because I didn’t want to wake you. I’ve been here for more than an hour. I like watching you sleep. You look so peaceful.”
Cosmo’s mind raced. Then his heart started to pound. She knew. He felt fear then, fear unlike anything he’d ever known. She knew about the possible nomination and that he’d kept it from her. She’d come here to ax him, to tell him she couldn’t abide a liar. They’d promised each other there would be no secrets between them. But…her tone of voice was light…truthful sounding. She looked so…ethereal sitting there on the floor. He shook his big head like a wet, shaggy dog getting a bath to try and clear his thoughts.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. He shook his head again. Of all the stupid things to have said, that had to be the stupidest.
“Only for you,” Lizzie said.
Cosmo’s heart continued to pound. Well, that didn’t sound like she was there to give him the kiss of death. Throwing caution to the winds, he leaned over and reached for her hand. Leaning over the way he was, he could see her beautiful face more clearly. She looked, for want of a better word, dreamy. Her eyes, which usually sparkled, appeared glazed to him. He could feel panic start to rise in him. In the time it took his heart to beat twice, he was out of the bed and sitting in front of her, his long legs outstretched. He reached for her and tried to pull her close. She resisted. Then she stiff-armed him. The panic was engulfing him now as he stared at the woman he loved more than life itself.
“Cricket, I have something to tell you.”
Lizzie called him Cricket when things were right and Cosmo when she meant business. His panic did not subside.
“Look at me, Cricket.” Like he could do anything but look at her. “I’m pregnant. I just found out this morning. That’s why I’m here. We’re going to have a baby! We’re going to be parents.”
“We’re having a baby?” Cosmo said as his eyes rolled back in his head.
“Well, technically, we made a baby, and I’m the one who is going to have it, but, yeah, we’re having a baby.”
Cosmo felt his eyeballs settle back into place. “I feel like you just gave me the whole world with a big red bow on it. A baby! I’m going to be a father! A real honest-to-God father! Jesus, Elizabeth, why are you sitting on the floor?” Without waiting for her answer, he somehow managed to get to his knees, then his feet. He scooped her up in his arms and set her gingerly on the side of the bed. Now he was on his knees as he stared up at her. “You’re okay, right? We’ll get a nurse to follow you around, a housekeeper to wait on you. We’ll even get a dog to keep you company. I’ll quit my job and we’ll—”
“Do none of the above. I’m fine. I don’t want a nurse or a housekeeper, and no, you will not quit your job. I’ll go for the dog, but that’s it.”
“But—”
“No buts, Cricket. I want your promise.”
Like he could deny her anything. He promised. “Pickles, ice cream, watermelon. I’ll make sure we never run out, okay?”
“Okay.” Lizzie giggled.
“I thought…Christ, I thought all kinds of things when I woke and saw you sitting there on the floor. I was so sure you—”
“Found out about the Supreme Court nomination? I did. I understand, Cricket. I had lunch with the president today. I turned it down. Not that it was actually offered, but I told her thanks but no thanks. I did tell her I was pregnant. I’m sorry she was the first to know, but I had no other choice. She cried, Cricket. It’s such a long story, and I don’t want to go down that road right now. But she did say she would start looking for a replacement, because she knew I’d want to spend these months with you. You know what, Cricket? I am hungry. I think I’ll take you up on your offer of breakfast.”
Once again, Lizzie found herself scooped up and trundled out to the kitchen, where Cosmo settled her into one of the padded chairs.
“This is it, you know. From here on in you do not get to carry me around like a baby doll.”
Hands on his hips, Cosmo glared at his wife. “What if you trip and fall? We should get you one of those button things to wear around your neck that will summon the paramedics. I’ll do that at nine o’clock, when business opens. Absolutely I am going to do that.”
“Okay, this is where we have our first fight, Cosmo. No button! I am not going to trip and fall. I am not going to gain a ton of weight. That means I will not be top heavy. Honey, millions of women have babies every day. Somehow or other, they make it through the nine months, carrying on normal lives. I appreciate your concern, truly I do, but I do not want to be smothered. Are you listening, Cosmo?”
17. Game Over Page 15