Chapter Ten
By the time I step out on the stage that evening to a long and overly enthusiastic standing ovation, the news has broke that the accident is now under investigation as possibly suspicious. Chris is with the kids at Charles and Tory’s house, and will stay there for at least a couple of days with them, until arrangements are made to move them. It will also take Christhat long to go through Charles and Tory’s papers, make funeral arrangements, arrange to move the children’s things—an unexpected list of duties he never thought he’d be forced to attend to.
Out of an abundance of caution, the White House has been locked down, public tours cancelled, and extra security is in place. Elliot will fly out of DC tomorrow on Air Force Two and take my place at the twoevents in Washington State, and the one in Iowa. Given the circumstances, the public understands, and the organizers are grateful we’re not cancelling altogether.
Intelligence officials have not intercepted any chatter that would indicate this was a terrorist attack, and no groups have claimed responsibility for it. Current theories range from a drunk driver, to road rage, to perhaps some kidwho wasn’t supposed to be out driving in the first place, or maybe someone with a suspended or revoked license.
Ofcoursethe radical right hysterically screams it must be an undocumented immigrant here illegally. It’s completely beside the point that they have zero proof to back that claim.
The paint left on their car from the impact wasn’t stock for any automobile that the FBI has on filein their archives, meaning it cannot be attributed to a specific make and model of vehicle to narrow the search. The FBI is still trying to determine exactly what kind of paint it is and the manufacturer, so they can start tracking it that way.
Local authorities are swamping body shops with BOLO notices, and auto insurance companies have been put on alert to keep an eye out for any claims forvehicles with side damage and that color paint. It’s currently unknown if it was from a vehicle driving the same direction and who passed them from behind, or if it was an oncoming vehicle that maybe veered into their lane. The other damage on Charles and Tory’s car caused from rolling down the embankment has muddied those waters, unfortunately, and due to the weather there aren’t enough clues inthe forms of skid marks or other evidence to help with that.
There also isn’t any debris at the accident site, like broken headlight glass, or taillight fragments, to aid in the identification of the other vehicle. There’s a working assumption it might have been a pickup truck, van, or SUV, simply because Charles and Tory were in a Chevy Impala, which is a larger sedan. No tiny car could haveleft as much damage on their car, much less shoved them off the road, and still been drivable.
Meanwhile, the FBI, Secret Service, and PSP investigators are poring through security camera footage from all over the surrounding area, trying to see if any picked up their vehicle or any others passing through at the same time. If not suspect vehicles, perhaps witnesses.
I leave the rewrite of myspeech to Kev, who coordinates it with Lauren over the phone. I’ve been texting with Chris, who assures me I am doing exactly what he wants me to do right now.
The kids will eventually move to the White House and live with us. Tory’s parents are elderly, and Chris told me they knew Charles and Tory had appointed him their guardian in their will. Both of them have health issues that would makeit a hardship to be parents to young kids.
For now, the kids will stay where they are, less disruption for them, until we can sit down and breathe. Chris will take care of making sure Shawna and Hudson Harris have full access to the White House once we move the kids.
Eventually, the audience quiets and sits. As I stare out over the hushed crowd, their expectations weigh heavy upon me. Kev andLeo stand in the wings backstage and watch me from there.
My opening text displays on the teleprompter mirrors in front of my podium, waiting for me start.
“Thank you, everyone, for that very kind welcome. As most of you are already aware, we learned early this morning that we suffered an incomprehensible loss in our family. My husband’s younger brother and sister-in-law died overnight in anautomobile accident.
“I was already aboard Air Force One and en route here when I learned the news. I wanted to return to Washington DC immediately to be with my family, but in this instance, my husband overruled me and asked I make this appearance tonight. This is a cause we believe strongly in, it’s been a major issue in our platform, and my brother- and sister-in-law were strong supportersof it, too.
“So I ask your indulgence. I am not at my best right now, and I apologize in advance for any shortcomings tonight. We also wish to thank the public for their messages of condolence and sympathy, and we ask that we please be given space and privacy to walk through this process with our nieces and nephew and in-laws.”
There’s a soft smattering of applause that quickly builds and thundersand nearly breaks me. I want to be with Chris,nothere. I should be taking care ofHim.
Weshould be there for Him, Kev and me, both.
I also didn’t want to cry, but I grab a tissue from the box left stashed under the podium for me and dab at my eyes while I wait for the audience to settle once more. I eschewed eye makeup tonight. I’m just wearing a little foundation and some lip gloss. I don’tlook my best, but no one is expecting me to.
Frankly, I couldn’t be bothered with it tonight. If someone can’t understand what we’re going through, then fuck ’em.
“I want to say a few words about Charles and Tory,” I continue when the audience quiets again. “They were amazing people who welcomed me into their family under what any rational person would consider trying circumstances. Being thedaughter of a politician myself, I can tell you from personal experience that it’s not easy being related to a high-profile politician under the best of conditions. Here I was, not only a US senator, but a presidential candidate. We did our best to protect their privacy as much as possible, especially because of their children.
“My mother died years ago, and my father died before I was born.I have no siblings, but Charles and Tory quickly became like a brother and sister to me, and Tory’s parents are nothing short of amazing. I consider myself blessed to call them family.”
I need a moment to compose myself, and while I do, the audience applauds again. I know it’s their way of showing me support, but I wish they’d just stay quiet so I can get through this as quickly as possible.
“Charles was retired after a distinguished Army career that he completed working in military intelligence. Tory was a molecular biologist, and heavily focused on cancer research…”
Somehow, I manage to make it through that speech. I’m on auto-pilot at this point, and want nothing more than to return to Air Force One and go wheels-up. Even if I can’t be with Chris, at least I can be closer to himat the White House, waiting for him and the kids when they do arrive.
I’m so exhausted that Kev lets me hold on to his arm for the walk from Marine One across the tarmac to Air Force One while Leo protectively hovers on my other side and helps shield me from the press. I don’t have to put on a somber face—Iamsomber. Before we take off, I walk back to the press corps section in the aircraft’stail, where the now-subdued group of reporters falls silent at my appearance.
“Guys, I’m sorry,” I say, “but we’re not going to give any further comments until I’m back in DC with my family. Please address any question to investigators, or to Lauren at the next briefing there. Thank you.”
I guess I look worse than I feel, because they don’t even try to ask Kevin any questions, either. I lockmyself and Kevin in the private suite at the nose of the plane, curl up in his arms, and cry.
* * * *
