“It appears someone may have been tipped off to our plans,” Rollins offered. “Movement in Ukraine suggests that the building is close to abandoned already.”
Candace nodded. “And how would anyone know what you had proposed?” she asked. She watched as every person at the table shifted in their chair. “I see. Any more information on what might have been the agenda?”
“Not specifically,” General Melvin said. “Although, we still suspect it’s biological in nature. Biocon is certainly involved.”
Candace nodded again. “How many people knew about this situation?”
“Senior Staff only,” Rollins replied.
“I ask because for the last month, there have been leaks from our meetings.” She looked around the room. “I would not suggest that anyone present it responsible. I would suggest that you tighten your circle of confidence. Now. We haven’t dodged a bullet. We’re as much in the dark now as we were fourteen hours ago. I’d like a little light—without it slipping through the cracks.”
“Of course, Madame President,” General Melvin said.
“Find out what role our friend, President Barbu plays in this game. And, find out what we are looking for before you ask me to sign anyone’s death warrant again.” She shook her head and stood. “Now, I have a plane to catch.”
Nate Ellison followed Candace from the room. “Why do I think you haven’t told us everything?” the vice president asked.
Candace smiled. “Nate, you need to trust me right now.”
“I think my question is if you trust me.”
“I do. And, I need to keep you in a position of strength. Trust me. When I know; you will know.”
The vice president nodded. “Candace?”
“Yes?”
“You can—trust me, that is.”
Candace nodded. “Go home, Nate. Enjoy your Sunday. That’s what I intend to do.”
EPILOGUE
THE NEXT DAY
Ithaca, New York
Jameson closed her eyes and let out a contented sigh. Candace had promised an escape. She had no idea what Candace was planning. It was simple. It was also exactly what Jameson hoped. Two nights away in Ithaca at Jameson’s parents’ home. None but Maureen and Duncan knew that the First Family had arrived. Jameson’s mother and father were due to fly to Georgia that evening. Candace and Jameson would have the small cape cod home to themselves with Cooper for the next two days.
“You look relaxed,” Maureen commented.
“Thanks, Mom,” Jameson said.
“What are you thanking me for?”
“Conspiring with Candace.”
“I was happy to play the role of a secret agent. And, happy to have part of the day with my grandson.”
“You know, you can come visit.”
“I will,” Maureen said. “Now that you’ve settled in a bit.”
“We have. It hasn’t been easy.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
“Jameson, I raised you. There’s very little you can hide from me.”
“It’s harder than I thought it would be,” Jameson admitted. “It’s harder on her, and I can’t always help.”
“I think you underestimate how much you help,” Maureen said.
“Been talking to my wife?”
“Yes.”
Jameson laughed.
“Candace will be all right. She’s tougher than even you think.”
“Maybe. She’s also sensitive more than you think.”
“I know she’s sensitive. It’s what makes her tough.”
“That makes zero sense.”
“It makes perfect sense,” Maureen disagreed. “I am glad you came here.”
“Me too.”
“Why? Do you miss us?”
Jameson smiled. “I do.”
“Well, we miss you too—even if we are forced to see you on a daily basis. You two are everywhere.”
Jameson laughed.
Maureen leaned in and kissed Jameson’s cheek. “I’ll see you when we get back from your brother’s.”
“So, you are planning to visit.”
Maureen winked. “Don’t eat all the cookies I made. Save some for Cooper.”
Jameson waved her mother off.
“And stay off ladders and roofs.”
“Bye!”
Maureen chuckled. “I give you credit, she told Candace when she reached the kitchen.”
“Why?”
“Managing my daughter is probably more work than leading the cabinet.”
“Depends on which cabinet we’re opening.”
Maureen laughed. “Enjoy your time.” She hugged Candace. “I’d better get out there or Duncan will leave me behind.”
“Thanks for letting us stay.”
“You know you never need to ask.”
Candace nodded.
“I’ll talk to you soon.”
“You will.”
Candace returned to her task at the counter.
“Mommy!” Cooper ran in from outside.
“Cooper!”
“Are you cooking?”
“I’m making lasagna.”
“Yes! Then we get to watch the movie?”
“Yes, we do. And, I can’t wait to see what you picked.”
“It’s a surprise,” he said.
“I know it is. Why don’t you go see if Momma is awake.”
“Okay! Momma!”
Candace laughed. So much for peace and quiet.
***
Candace tried not to laugh at the look of consternation on Jameson’s face. Cooper had chosen The Justice League and Spiderman for their evening movies. He had prattled on through both, explaining to Jameson why each superhero was a superhero and how she needed to pay attention. Jameson had just grumbled and muttered, “I know he’s a spider dude.”
“I know you do, honey,” Candace whispered into Jameson’s ear and let her head fall onto Jameson’s shoulder.
“Momma, are you paying attention?” Cooper asked.
“I heard you, Coop. I got it. Spiderman has spider venom in his blood.”
Cooper turned to his parents. “In his DNA, Momma.”
“Same difference,” Jameson mumbled. She heard Candace sigh. “You okay?”
“I’m good. I was just wondering how that happened—to Spiderman,” Candace said.
Cooper turned back with a smile. “He got bit by a spider. A radioactive one,” Cooper said theatrically. “And now, he’s super strong and can scale buildings. ‘Cause it changed his DNA.”
“That’s really something, Coop.”
“Yep. You know what, Mommy?”
“What?”
“Like the Fantastic Four,” he said. “They gots Mo… Mole…
“Molecular,” Jameson said.
“Yeah, molecular changed.”
“They were altered on a molecular level. That’s right, Coop,” Jameson said.
“See! Momma knows those guys.”
“I know them all,” Jameson mumbled.
“Well, thank you for explaining,” Candace said.
“I wish I had that DNA,” Cooper said with the shake of his head. “I could lift cars!”
“Easy does it, Superman,” Jameson said. “Mommy and I are perfectly happy with the DNA you have.”
Cooper grinned. “Yeah, but it’d be cool to lift cars.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Jameson said.
Candace sighed again. Jameson look at her curiously. “Ask me later,” Candace said.
***
“Feel like telling me what was on your mind earlier?” Jameson asked.
Candace held onto Jameson and traced circles on Jameson’s chest with a fingertip. “I was thinking about Cooper.”
“Cooper?”
“Mm. And all his talk about DNA.”
“He had a lot to say.”
Candace chuckled. “He did.”
“Why do I think there’s more?”
“Oh, Jameson, I
wouldn’t know where to begin.”
“Does this have anything to do with why you had to delay coming home?”
“It does. The details really don’t matter. I wonder sometimes what we are doing to our world. When did we stop being content to be human? When did we start needing to know every detail about our neighbors? I don’t know. It worries me.”
“Is that why you wanted to get away?”
“I want to be with you and Cooper. I wanted you to see your parents before they left. I want it to be quiet and I want to enjoy our time together—just for a couple of days.”
“You know, you can tell me.”
Candace propped herself up. “I know I can. I meant what I said. I wouldn’t know where to begin. Not now, Jameson. Right now, just for now, I want things to be simple. Me cooking lasagna, Cooper giving us superhero lessons, sleeping in your arms—that’s all I want right now. The rest of it can wait—for now.”
Jameson pressed her lips to Candace’s forehead. “Then that’s what you’ll have.”
“You really did get an earful from our son,” Candace teased.
“I’ll bet you he gives us a quiz at breakfast.”
Candace laughed. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“I don’t think I’d want to be a superhero.”
“No?”
“No. Too much responsibility. What if I dropped a car or I couldn’t stop the train?”
Candace smiled. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you already are a superhero—at least, you are to Cooper.”
“I’m not the one out saving the world,” Jameson said.
Candace kissed Jameson’s lips sweetly. “The world is saved one person at a time, Jameson. Sometimes, we don’t even know we’ve accomplished that.” She settled back into Jameson’s arms.
“I’m proud of you, you know?”
“I know you are. I’m not a superhero,” Candace said. “I only hope that I can make a difference even a little one.”
“You underestimate yourself,” Jameson said.
“No. I just know that in the end we’re all making a difference. None of us can predict where that will ultimately lead. Being with you and Cooper reminds me to remember that everything I do matters to one person—somewhere.”
“It matters to me,” Jameson said.
“And I love you for it.”
“We should do this more often,” Jameson said. “Camp out at my parents’ when they’re away and eat all their food.”
Candace laughed. “You sound like a fifteen-year-old.”
“Kinda feel like one, sneaking the hot girl into my bedroom.”
“Stop.”
“The older, not, super intelligent girl that everyone wants.”
“Nice recovery.”
“It’s true.”
“You really are a lunatic.”
“Hey, did you ever open that fortune cookie?” Jameson asked.
“I did.”
“What did it say?”
Candace’s eyes sparkled. “You’ll kiss a lunatic.”
“It didn’t say that.”
Candace grinned and kissed Jameson passionately. “Are you arguing with fate?”
“Never.”
Candace kissed Jameson again and chuckled. “I love you even if you are a lunatic.”
“You need a little lunacy in your life.”
Candace nodded. Oddly, it was true. “Funny how a little lunacy keeps you sane.”
“Until we go back to Washington.”
“Even then, Jameson. Even then.”
THE END
To be continued in
DOMESTIC POLICY
Situation Room Page 20