I focus on the agent. “I wantAngelready to go wheels-up as soon as we arrive.”
He nods. “Already in progress, sir.”
I take over for Shae, because I know damn well she’s in no position to give orders at this moment. My training has kicked in, and it feels like I never spent a day away from the Secret Service.
By the time we reach the airport and screech to a stop next to the plane, where, yes, the engines are already running, I know we are literally ready to take off as soon as we can get her inside, close the doors, and strap in. All other air traffic is being held and we have clearance to take off immediately.
The two fully armed F-16s that will escort us scream past, flying low as they buzz the runway in preparation for us getting underway, ensuring the path is clear. Fully armed ERT agents and local SWAT members are awaiting our arrival, automatic rifles held at the ready and their gazes fixed on the edge of the runway.
Again, even though I logically know the risk is low, both myself and the three agents with us swarm over Shae as we rush her up the lower stairs and into the plane before the other SUV full of agents screeches to a stop on the apron behind us.
Neither of us speak while I make sure she’s securely strapped in before I take my seat next to her and the plane starts taxiing down the runway. The pilot takes off under full throttle and pulls up hard at a steep angle, a cautionary evasive maneuver, which probably tests the upper limits of this very special aircraft.
I only breathe a sigh of relief when I hear the landing gearthumpinto the underbelly and the plane’s ascent angle begins to level off. Shae holds my hand during our takeoff, squeezing tightly as tears roll down her cheeks. It’s just the two of us in the private suite, and I know she’s terrified.
Not for her own safety—but for Kev, and for Chris. Their children.
She’s had to deal with a lot lately.
I don’t take for granted the vulnerability she rarely shows, even around me.
I’m concerned about Elliot, and Jordan, but I know they’re safe in the White House today, with no public appearances scheduled. Elliot’s feet likely never touched the ground when his detail grabbed him from his office and dropped him into the PEOC bunker beneath the White House. They probably “crashed” the White House, putting it in a full lock-down mode. Jordan won’t be able to leave the East Wing. And because he’s high-level staff with full clearance, he’ll be safe there until the all-clear is sounded.
I squeeze her hand before releasing it to unfasten my seat belt. “Stay here. Stay strapped in. I’ll go find out how he is.”
She curtly nods. I hand her a box of tissues and she grabs one, dabbing at her eyes.
I know this is tough on her, but she’s got a job to do.
She’s going to hate even more that she’ll be doing it from Offutt, until we’re cleared to return to DC. That’s the contingency, to land there, a secure base, the home to STRATCOM, and remain there until the all-clear is given to bring her back to DC.
Keepingher in Offutt will be my job, unfortunately. Because obviously she can override the orders. She’s the commander in chief.
Meaning I have to somehow channel Kev for her and remind her that she has a job to do.
I make my way to the comms center, to a cluster of grim-faced agents surrounding her lead agent. He’s on a handset of a secured line and his free hand pinches and rubs his forehead and the bridge of his nose.
I wait. I already know he’s finding out exactly what I’m here to ask, because it’s the logical next step.
He finally hangs up and looks around, apparently seeking me before he speaks. “Prophet’s in surgery. Priest is on-site at the hospital and is secure. Refuses to leave. Hospital is locked down. Shooter in custody, apparently a lone wolf.”
“No other injuries?”
He shakes his head. “Agent with a minor hand injury. He tackled the shooter and got his hand on the gun under the hammer before the shooter could fire again.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. That man’s a hero, even though he was just doing his job. “Kids?”
“Safe. They’re pulling them from school shortly. They’ve already got several teams at the school. They don’t want to frighten the other children, though. They’re waiting for a scheduled class change to move them.”
I lean against the bulkhead and take a deep breath both to steady my nerves as well as to give the impression that my next question is nothing more than merely an afterthought. “And Plumber?”
“They moved him to the PEOC. White House is crashed. Everything’s locked down.”
I slowly nod as tense relief fills me. Elliot and Jordan are safe.
I mean, Iknewthey were safe.
Still, a man’s going to worry about those he considershis.
