The writer stared at the frozen image on the screen, looking directly at Dev's shell-shocked face. "Open," she said quietly.
"Harris, Theodore, a k a, Harris, Teddy, case number 12843CR17, sentenced on 5/18/2017 to two years in Lebanon State Prison"
Lauren's jaw dropped. "Two years?" She shook her head in disbelief. "Two lousy years!"
The computer continued, unfazed by the woman's outburst. "Paroled on 5/19/2018, after serving twelve months."
"My God," Lauren whispered. She took off her glasses and disgustedly tossed them onto the desk, rubbing her watery eyes.
The phone on her desk startled her from her thoughts. "Computer off." She wiped her eyes once more and reached over, tapping the video feature on the phone. She was immediately greeted by Dev's smiling face.
"Hi there."
The President leaned back in her chair, and Lauren could tell by the background that Dev was in the Oval Office. "How was your meeting?"
"Top secret." Dev grinned and wrinkled her nose in a way Lauren found impossibly endearing.
It would be nice to watch laugh lines form around those baby blues. I'll bet Samantha was looking forward to that. “Of course. I'm sorry."
"No problem. Listen, it just so happens that I'm sort of free for lunch. If you don't mind eating in my office, that is. I can sign my name, talk to you and eat my lunch at the same time." The smile slipped from Devlyn's face, and she eyed Lauren worriedly, idly noting the absence of her glasses. "Is um are you okay, Lauren? You look a little upset."
Lauren smiled softly, and made a conscious effort to brighten her somber mood. "I'm fine. And you can do all those things at the same time?" Her voice was playful. "My, my, you are multitalented."
Hush, Dev. But she couldn't keep a charming, slightly mischievous grin from stretching across her face. "Years of experience. How about it?"
"Dunno," the blonde teased. "Lemme check my calendar and see if the Prime Minister of Great Britain has"
"Hardy har har."
Lauren chuckled. "I'll be right down."
* * *
"I don't give a good goddamn!" Dev slammed her fist against her desk.
Lauren heard the jarring thud and winced at its intensity as she quietly closed the door. The entire White House didn't need to hear this. When she turned, Dev was on her feet, the receiver pressed tightly against her ear. "What do you mean they changed their minds? They're only allowed to do that when they disagree with well me! Get those votes back. I won't lose this because some lame ass Democrats can't decide which side of the fence to stand on!"
The biographer couldn't resist. She brought her camera up and began clicking off several frames. Damn, Dev, you do have a temper, don't you? Lauren smiled inwardly. That pulsing vein on your forehead would make an impressive book cover shot.
"Find them! And don't call me back until you do." She slammed the phone down and then hit the intercom switch. She took a deep breath, purposely calming herself before speaking. "Jane"
"The Chief of Staff is already on his way, Madam President. He was at a meeting on the Hill, but he's coming now. I put the call in as soon as the Deputy Chief of Staff phoned you."
"God bless you, Jane." Dev leaned against her desk with her palms against the flat surface. "Thank you." She sighed. "Are you having fun being President yet?"
Jane laughed. "Uh huh. and you're welcome."
The President switched off the intercom and sheepishly glanced up at Lauren.
"Hold it!" Lauren commanded, crouching down and changing the angle of the picture, and focusing the lens.
Dev shook her head and burst out laughing. She moved around the desk and leaned on its edge, crossing her long, silk covered-arms across her chest. "Suddenly I feel like a fashion model." She struck a pose, causing Lauren to giggle.
"You could have done that, you know been a model. The camera loves you." Lauren lowered her camera. "Do I want to know what's got you so upset?"
Dev pursed her lips unhappily. "Ah, my DNA Registration legislation is meeting with some last minute and very unexpected resistance."
"I knew that was gonna happen," Lauren said absent-mindedly as she fussed with her camera lens.
Twin eyebrows jumped.
Lauren shrugged. "During that meeting last week, well, they just didn't seem like they'd made up their minds. I didn't believe them when they said they'd support you. It was those Yankees from New Jersey that turned on you, wasn't it?" She made a face. "I think they were just here for the free lunch."
"Well, next time feel free to warn me, okay?" Dev chuckled. "Speaking of lunch, looks like I'm skipping it today. There is a little bipartisan butt that needs kicking." For once the Emancipation Party seemed to unite behind an issue. It's really not a good idea for you boys to stab me in the back like that. Time a few people found that out.
"No problem." Lauren waved a dismissive hand, bringing the camera to her ear to listen to the film rewind. There were easier ways to take pictures. But she loved this old camera, enjoying that she had to think to use it. "Want a spectator? It's been, ooooooh" she put her fingertip to her chin, pretending to think, "at least a week since I've seen a bipartisan butt kicking. I need my fix." The writer grinned.
"I'd be honored, madam." The President jumped down and bowed slightly at the waist before retaking her perch. "I'll even be your escort." Dev stopped speaking for a moment and stared intently at Lauren. "Would you vote ‘yes' for my bill? You've heard more than enough about it to make a well-informed decision."
Lauren sighed resignedly. Why did Devlyn always do this? She winced then drew in a deep breath. "Well um"
"Lauren." Dev's impatient voice dropped an octave.
"No."
"No?!" Dev exploded off the desk and marched over to other woman.
Lauren shook her head firmly, adopting a more stubborn pose as Devlyn approached. "No."
"No?"
"Nope."
"You're joking."
The younger woman just waited.
Devlyn threw her hands in the air. "But why? I rejected the Republican proposal requiring every person to submit a DNA sample at birth."
Lauren lifted a sassy eyebrow, letting Dev know exactly how she felt about the little suggestion made by the Speaker of the House.
"My proposal only registers people when they're arrested. Isn't there a single Democrat who will see reason?"
"Apparently not. And innocent people get arrested every day," Lauren said reasonably, opening the door to Dev's office. "It's invasive and creepy. Like Big Brother or something."
Dev motioned with her hands as they walked. She was in full ‘persuasion' mode. "We already fingerprint people when they're arrested. And this will ultimately save lives and help solve future crimes."
The younger woman stopped walking. "Fingerprints are not" Lauren shivered and said her next word with so much distaste that Dev nearly laughed, "blood. You can't clone people from their fingerprints. And what if someone decided to do something hinky with all those samples, huh?" Okay, she was half-teasing about that last part. But she knew Devlyn would bite.
"Arrrrrghhhh! I don't want to clone anyone! God," Dev rolled her eyes as they turned the corner and made their way down the hallway leading toward the Green Room. "They're still showing those damned "X-Files" reruns on television, aren't they?"
Round, gray eyes were the picture of innocence as the women continued on their way.
Thursday, March 4th
"So," from the door of Lauren's room, Dev grinned over her mug of coffee, "you want to take a trip with me?"
"Business or personal?" The blonde smiled back as she looked up from her journal and at the President.
"Does it really matter?"
"I'll need to know what to pack."
Dev rolled her shoulders, and with her free hand unbuttoned her blazer, leaving it on. "It's business. Our protocol specialist, Mrs. Baldridge, will help you with what to take." She took another sip, then set her ruby red mug on a coaster o
n the corner of Lauren's second coffee table. Silently, she gestured at the couch.
Lauren nodded her approval and snagged a stack of mail from her desk as she joined the President.
Dev settled down across from Lauren, bouncing a little on the springy cushion. She looked around covertly for Gremlin, the Devil Dog. "Your room smells nice," she commented idly.
"It's the flowers."
"Umm, nice" Dev figured Gremlin was hiding someplace and would jump out and growl at her later. But for now, she'd focus on Grem's mistress. "Lauren, I'd love for you to come, of course. But I'll understand if you need a break." Though she didn't like the idea of not seeing the writer every day, Dev did appreciate that the daily grind could be oppressive at times. "We've been at this for nearly two solid months. Surely you're getting tired of me."
"Nah." Lauren stretched. "Compared to Supergeek, who spoke computer gibberish most of the time, and Cardinal O'Roarke, who napped from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. every single day, you're a dream," she teased.
Dev bit the inside of her cheek. "Gee, thanks."
Lauren laughed softly as she sorted through her mail. Most of it was junk, which she left unopened, but she did retain a thick manila envelope that was from Starlight Publishing. She was certain it was an advance copy of her latest book, but she was slightly embarrassed by the notion of Dev's seeing this particular piece of work. Lauren dragged her eyes up from her envelope.
"You're very dedicated. I appreciate that," Dev commented sincerely.
Lauren flushed with pleasure. Coming from a true workaholic, that was a big compliment. "So, where are we going, Madam President?"
"We're going to the U. S. Embassy in the United Arab Alliance. I need to oversee some trade negotiations. And there are certain - shall we call them ‘diplomatic' - issues that are more easily resolved if I host the talks at our Embassy."
Lauren gave Dev a confused look, still fingering the envelope in her hand. "Diplomatic issues?"
Dev grunted her agreement. "The whole ‘she's a woman and a demon lesbian' diplomatic issue." She smiled wryly. "In the Embassy we're technically on American soil. And what is punishable by death in their country, is, well, it will be begrudgingly accepted at the U. S. Embassy. It would also be a great insult for them to turn down my invitation. These people are very respectful of their traditions, and they won't want to insult me."
"Sneaky." Lauren was continually impressed by the way that Dev worked around the limitations placed on her by her gender and sexual orientation.
Dev chuckled. "Thank David. That's why he gets the big bucks and bigger headaches." She gestured at Lauren's hands. "You gonna open that, or would you rather I leave first?" Dev didn't want to leave at all. But she couldn't take another second of Lauren picking at that envelope. She was nearly ready to reach over and rip it open herself. But, she conceded inwardly, that would be just a tad difficult to explain.
"No!" Okay, that was way too quick. Lauren cleared her throat awkwardly. "I um you don't have to leave. I mean, you don't have a meeting or anything, right?" she asked hopefully.
"Not a single one, and it's only 5:30." Dev crossed herself. "It's a miracle."
Lauren moved to get up, clutching the envelope. "Let me just put this away. I'm sure it's nothing"
"Aw, c'mon, Lauren." Dev smiled charmingly and poked at the slightly dingy, golden paper. "I'm dying to see what happens next to the intrepid, female explorer, Adrienne Nash. Or do I have to call you Ms. Gallager when I talk about your series?"
Lauren looked at Dev blankly, thinking she must have heard her wrong. She couldn't mean "You read these?" The younger woman waved the envelope.
"Oh, yeah! Devour is more like it. I've read all of them. Been waiting like an idiot for the new one."
Lauren fell back onto the sofa limply. "You knew and you still hired me?" Duh! Of course she knew. She's the President of the United Friggin' States of America! She probably knows more about me than I do.
Dev scoffed at the question. "Your biographies are the best I've ever read. And your credentials as a biographer and historian are impeccable." Dev picked up her mug again and took a healthy swallow. "I never have understood the notion that writers couldn't do both fiction and non-fiction, and still be respected in each field. Plus... well um..."
"Plus, I use a pen name for my fiction so I can still ‘pass' as respectable because nobody knows?" Lauren's voice was resigned, but tinged with sarcasm.
Dev stiffened. "I control a lot of things. But I don't set the standards of acceptability for the publishing industry."
Lauren's gaze dropped to her shoes. Quit being such a bitch about it. It's not her fault you can't own up to most of the writing you do. “Of course you don't. I'm sorry." A thought occurred to her, and she smiled tentatively, hoping to make up for her misdirected anger. She handed the envelope to Dev. "Here, enjoy it. A gift from me to you; the first copy of Lauren Gallager's newest tale."
Devlyn snatched the book like a little kid who had just been handed her first present on Christmas morning. She practically squealed with delight. "Ooo, neat!"
Lauren burst out laughing as Dev tore open the envelope with abandon. The tall woman looked up as she slipped the book out. "What?" she complained somewhat bashfully. "You gave it to me. Don't laugh at me now."
Lauren blinked as Devlyn flipped the book over in her hands, examining it from every angle and running her fingers over its shiny cover. Then she looked up at her with eyes so filled with innocent pleasure that they immediately brought to mind Ashley's, despite the difference in color.
A slow blush worked its way across Dev's cheeks. "Don't suppose you'd autograph it for me?"
Mutely, Lauren bobbed her head. Wow. I can't believe this. “I’d be happy to. Let me get a pen." Before she could move, Dev was seated next to her, eagerly handing her the book and a pen. "Umm... wow, that was fast. Okay, any particular way you want this signed?"
"No." Dev shook her head as she tapped her knees excitedly. "Just think of me as your biggest, geekiest fan."
Lauren chuckled as she took the book back, opening it carefully. She'd lay money on the fact that Devlyn Marlowe didn't break the bindings on books. The tip of her tongue appeared for just a second as she thought of what to write. Then she quickly inscribed the book and handed it back. "You're all set."
Dev gingerly opened the novel, peeking at the inside cover. "To Wonder Woman: Please enjoy it, my geeky friend. Lauren Gallager." Dev shook her head. "Cute," she snorted. "Veeery cute." The President was loving this and it showed in the sparkle of her eyes and the bright smile that creased her cheeks. "Well, now I have something to read on the plane."
"Holy shit!"
Dev jumped, fumbling with the book as it threatened to fly out of her hands. "What? What is it?" She searched Lauren's face.
"We'll be taking the Bat Plane, won't we?"
Dev blew out a relieved breath, her eyebrow twitching in amused annoyance. "I'm thirty-eight years old. One more unexpected exclamation like that, and I won't see thirty-nine." She clutched her chest for effect, and Lauren rolled her eyes. "And, yes, we'll be aboard Air Force One, if that's what you mean. And Lauren?"
A pale head tilted.
A reckless grin made Dev feel like a kid again. "It's so much better than the Bat Plane."
Friday, March 5th
Madam President Page 11