“Please. Let me make a comment.Then you can take over.”
I can see him mulling it over for a moment. “Okay. But let’s do it now. Donotsay anything about it not being an accident.” He opens the door and speaks with the Secret Service agent again before we leave my office and head aft.
I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to how the military crew come to attention and salute me as I pass. I feel badly that I’m hurrying, butthere are twin prongs in my mind vying for attention—I need to get home to my husband, and we need to get ahead of this story and control the optics.
I guess someone raced ahead of us and warned the press I was coming, because they’re ready for me and pounce almost at once, most of them shouting questions at me over each other.
Prophet takes charge, holding up his hands. “Hey!Knockit off!”he loudly scolds, and they all fall silent, not used to him speaking to them in that tone. Usually, Kev is all smiles and professionalism, even in the most chaotic of situations, but this is all my Sir in charge right now. “President Samuels has just been told what I’m sure you all are wanting to talk to her about. She wants to make a very brief statement, and thenI’mtaking over.Noquestionsto the President.”
He stands aside, and I’m sure he wishes he could drape an arm around me and hold me, but can’t.
I’m well aware that I’m being filmed. I can also hear the sound of shutters clicking as still photos are taken.
“I’m not going to take any questions at this time,” I echo, “because I don’thaveany details. My husband called me to let me know his brother, Major Charles Bruunt,and his sister-in-law, Dr. Tory Harris, died in an auto accident overnight. Their children were at home with their grandmother, and are safe. I’m going to ask you please respect our family’s privacy and allow us time to grieve.
“Lauren and Kevin will pass on details as we learn them, so please coordinate with Communications. My husband has specifically requested that I do not cancel the speechtonight. We’re going to ask if I can speak sooner in the evening. As soon as I finish, however, we will return to Air Force One and fly back to Andrews, so please plan accordingly. This will be a trying time for all of us as we deal with this. There will be some instances where I will need to hang back so the related…insanity of a president trying to go somewhere doesn’t compound the situation orcause undo grief for their other friends and family. I will let my husband and his family set the guidance on this. Thank you.”
I step back, slightly behind Kevin but where I can still see him in profile, and force myself not to wrap my arms around him from behind and rest my head against his back like I usually do when we’re alone.
Of course the press immediately tries to ask me questions enmasse, but Kevin takes them in hand once more.
“Hey!” he yells, silencing the cabin. He wears a thunderous expression. “What’d Ijusttell you? I will make them land this plane in the middle of wherever the heck we are and kick every last one of you off if you don’t settle downrightnow.”
His angry outburst surprises me—and everyone else—until I pinpoint its source. It’s not on my behalf—it’smore because he can’t be at Chris’ side right now.
I know how he feels.
Only once he knows he has their undivided attention does he speak again. “We’ll do this in an orderly fashion, front to back.Oneat a time, no follow-ups. Pay attention—norepeat questions.” He points to the CNN reporter sitting directly in front of him. “Go.”
“Are there any indications this was anything other than anaccident?”
“I don’t currently have any information stating that. You’d have to direct that question to Pennsylvania State Police investigators. It’s my understanding they’re the lead agency on this.”
He points to the woman seated next to the CNN reporter, who’s from MSNBC. “Go.”
“Kevin, regarding reports stating Secret Service agents are being mobilized and sent to their house—true or false?”
“True. As next-of-kin, Mr. Bruunt is now the children’s legal guardian, and he and President Samuels requested they immediately be placed under Secret Service protection as a matter of protocol and an overabundance of caution until Mr. Bruunt can be transported to be with them. Doesnotindicate anything other than that. As you all are well aware, Mr. Bruunt is retired Secret Service, and tendsto diligently overthink things.” Even that slight joke about Christopher’s well-known intensity regarding security logistics and protocols doesn’t get the laughter it normally would.
He points to the BBC political reporter on the other side of the aisle. “Go.” It’s a reverse shotgun interview, with Kev in full command.
“Is it possible this could be related to Maj. Bruunt’s former career in militaryintelligence?”
“Answered in question one. Pay attention.” He moves on and points. “Next…”
Leo tries to edge me back to the presidential suite at the front of the plane, but I want to stay and hear this. I’ve always loved watching Kevin deal with the press. Considering he used to be one of them, he almost better than anyone knows how to handle them. Him and Lauren both. I can imagine she’s ina similar buzz saw mode with whoever’s in the pool at the White House, because she also doesn’t take any crap. I’m sure his approach right now has caught them all off-guard. I can see it in their faces when he slams the door on duplicate questions and moves on.
He ruthlessly proceeds, working through the entire press pool in less than five minutes and dropping the hammer on four other reporterswho try to ask the “other motive” question in different ways, and three more who repeated other questions.
Kevin is in full-on Sir mode now, even if the press doesn’t know it. It’s breathtaking and makes me believe that, regardless what the next days and weeks bring, Chris and I will be okay with him watching out for and taking care of both of us.
His diligence.
His love.
I couldn’t have askedfor a better chief of staff, and Idefinitelycouldn’t have asked for a better Sir.
Kevin finishes and holds up his hands again. “I will come out and speak with you before we touch down in LA,” he says. “I willnotanswer the same question ten times, so get it out of your systems. This is a very trying time for the First Family, and I need you to show a little compassion for them.”
