John looks like he’s about to drop. “Go ahead and switch off,” I tell him. I know there is already another shift there, at the hospital, awaiting my word to release these guys, so coverage isn’t an issue.
Eventually they file out, the new shift replacing them. Thedoor no sooner shuts behind them than I’m on my official phone and calling Director Andrew Eisenthal. I also don’t care if these guys hear me. They know me, maybe not the way John and the others do, but they’re all good men.
Eisenthal and I have had a slightly contentious relationship ever since I ended up marrying Shae. For obvious reasons, he can’t know the truth about what transpired, or theexact timeline of events. I know he wasn’t happy with me, however, when he learned I was marrying her. The perceived impropriety was more in his mind than anywhere else though. Because I wasn’t on an official protective detail for her, and I could point to where, when assignments were being handed out, I officially reported that I knew Shae personally.
Nothing that could come back and bite mein the ass, because Shae is a fricking genius when it comes to setting up a plan. Apparently, she learned her tactics while studying at her mother’s feet.
One benefit about my position is when you call the director of Secret Service, he usually takes your call.
“Yes, Mr. Bruunt?”
I know that chafes him, that he’s now forced by protocol to defer to me, but I’ll take every advantage I have andrun with it. “My detail from yesterday morning,” I say without preamble or bullshit. “They stay on the job.”
A soft grumble crosses the line. “Mr. Bruunt, staffing is not your—”
“Cut the bullshit, Andrew. You know damn well it used to be my expertise.Ibroke protocol, not them.” I rub at my forehead, a headache threatening to break through. “I worked the rope line without letting them knowahead of time. It’smyfault. I decided on-site without clearing it with them first.”
Another uncomfortable pause. “Again, Mr. Bruunt, no offense, but—”
“Please don’t make me call Shae about this. You don’t want her daily readout list to include a call ordering you to keep my detail, do you? Because I willtotallypull that dick move on you, sir.”
I throw that last word in there in an attemptto soften the blow. We both know he’ll end up caving, and I’m trying to give him a chance to spare a little dignity when it comes to this.
“I’ll take it under advisement, Mr. Bruunt.”
“That means they’d better be on-duty tomorrow morning, or you will face a media shitstorm of epic proportions by end-of-day tomorrow. My wife isn’t the only one who knows how to manipulate a pool spray. No suspensions,no write-up in their jackets—nothing. I’m an agent, just like you, just like them. I made the mistake of thinking I was bulletproof, which is another issue. I didn’t wear my vest today because I wasn’t planning on working the rope line. Like I said, I broke protocol, and my best friend nearly died.”
I honestly thought he would leave me spinning in the wind, but he caves after a tense silence.I’ll gladly take the dressing down if it means those men still have jobs. “You, better thananyone,know how this works.Whywould you do that? Why would you act so careless andstupid? Soreckless? I would expect something like this from your wife, because she’s a civilian.Youknow the risks and youstilltook them? What if the kids had been with you?”
I slump back in my chair, finally ableto breathe a little easier that my stupidity didn’t cost those men their jobs. I’d already thought of that myself, about the kids. “Because I wasn’t thinking, and I saw a group of kids there. Young kids. Honestly? I was thinking how cool would it be for them to say they got to see me up close. They werelittlekids. And now they’re probably traumatized because I was an idiot.”
“Thank god thereweren’t any other reported injuries.”
“How’s Jack’s hand?”
Eisenthal snorts. “He’ll live. It was his left, and he’s a righty, so he’ll be on duty tomorrow. Medical cleared him.”
“Good.Thankyou, Director Eisenthal. I appreciate this.”
Another grumble. “Don’t youdareput me in this position again.Ever. Understand me?”
“I will be a model protectee from this moment on, I swear.” I turn soI can watch Kev where he’s sleeping. “And I need another favor, please.”
“Really? Aren’t you pushing it now?”
I ignore the jab. “Prophet. When he’s released, he’ll be moving into the residence with us. I want him to have permanent protection any time he has to leave the White House without myself or my wife.”
There’s a notable pause from Eisenthal. “I know he’s your friend, and consideringthe circumstances, I don’t blame you, and I even agree with you. Still, that has to go through official channels. I can’t up and do it without orders from the Secretary, you know that.”
“That’s already in the works. I’m giving you a heads-up now so you can start the preparations. Secretary Bryant will receive a call from the president’s office, if she hasn’t already. But Prophet doesn’t moveanywhere he’s not protected, unless he’s already with Portia or myself.”
“We’ll take care of it.” He pauses. “How is he?”
I have to swallow back the lump in my throat. “They’re guarded, but optimistic. He’s already been awake and talking, but he’s asleep right now from pain meds. We’re waiting to see if he will end up with an infection or not. As long as he doesn’t, and there’s no bleeding,the doctors say he’ll likely make a full recovery.”
He breathes a sigh of relief. “Thank christ.”
“Any news on the shooter?”
