The president helped his wife stand, but before they could exit the car, Nathaniel stopped them.
“I need to meet with local security first,” he said.
It seemed a shame to disappoint the crowd who’d been waiting for this moment, but the president nodded. Nathaniel and Sullivan left the train to confer with a uniformed police officer who stood just ahead of the rope line holding back the throngs of people. The policeman gestured to the row of guards who surrounded the depot, and whatever he said must have reassured Nathaniel, because he immediately turned to meet Caroline’s gaze through the train window and gave a brusque nod.
“We can go,” she said, eager to step into the crisp autumn air.
The crowd cheered as McKinley emerged onto the platform, waving both hands above his head and grinning broadly. The president waded into the crowd, shaking hands and even greeting some of the men by name. This was precisely the sort of thing that ratcheted Nathaniel’s paranoia to monstrous proportions. His face was tense, his eyes constantly scanning the crowd, and his hand was on the butt of his exposed pistol.
Mrs. McKinley was eager to get home. As soon as the president freed himself from the throng of well-wishers, they headed toward the carriages that would drive them to the McKinleys’ house.
Except Nathaniel wouldn’t let them leave the station.
“The police escort I requested hasn’t arrived,” he said tightly. He and Sullivan herded the entire presidential party into the lobby of the train station, which had been cleared of all civilians. “You’ll need to wait here until the local police arrive.”
Chanting from the crowd outside could be plainly heard, but all this commotion was stressful for Ida. Caroline held Mrs. McKinley’s arm and guided her toward a chair by the window. They managed only two steps before Nathaniel slid in front of them.
“You’ll have to sit near the back,” he said. “I don’t want you being seen through the windows.”
“This is utter nonsense,” Ida insisted. “Do you think someone is going to shoot me through the window?”
“It would be safer on the far side of the lobby, ma’am,” Nathaniel said.
Ida banged her cane on the floor. “I want to see my people. We don’t need a police escort. Everyone loves us in Ohio.”
“Let the man do his job, Ida,” the president said calmly, then returned to conversation with George and Sven.
Caroline scrambled for a topic to distract Ida as they sat near the back wall of the lobby. “What is the first thing you will do once you’re back in your own home?”
Ida clasped a hand over her chest. “My own home,” she said wistfully, savoring the words. “I can hardly believe I’m finally back. I love every room and window and spigot of that house. I can’t wait until the Major and I can return for good.”
God willing that won’t be for four more years.
“They’re here,” Nathaniel said tensely as a squad of two dozen mounted police officers finally arrived.
Caroline helped Ida board a carriage, then climbed in too. It was a three-mile ride to the McKinley home, with the police escort riding alongside the carriage and well-wishers lining the streets, waving flags and shouting good cheer.
The McKinleys lived in a two-story frame house with bay windows and an expansive front porch. The house had been draped with patriotic bunting, and a barbershop quartet stood ready to welcome them.
“It’s so good to be home,” Ida said, her voice trembling withexhaustion as she descended from the carriage. “Do you smell that? Those are my fine Ohio viburnum shrubs. Oh heavens, it’s wonderful to finally be home.”
Then, unbelievably, Nathaniel had to be a fly in the ointment again.
“Please wait here while I clear the building.” He held out an arm to block Ida, then turned to stride up the path and through the front door of the house. Two agents accompanied him, and one skirted the house while the other went inside with Nathaniel to look for anarchists.
“Major!” Ida said. “This is beyond ridiculous. I have been traveling for two days and am not allowed into my own home?”
“It won’t be much longer now,” the president said.
Caroline leaned over to George. “How long do you think this will take?”
“It looks like they’re already done,” George said with a nod to Nathaniel, who emerged onto the front porch and gestured for them to come forward.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” President McKinley chided Ida as they started walking up the front path. Caroline and George walked several paces behind but could still hear Ida fuming.
“I am nearing my limit with that man,” she said.
“Now, dear—”
