“Nick… You can’t make yourself sick over this. It’s simply not worth it.”
“I tell myself that, but alas… Sleep proves elusive at the best of times.”
“Knowing she put you in this position makes me want to find my rustiest steak knife.”
Chuckling, he turned to face her. “My first lady wouldn’t look good in prison orange.”
“But she’d feel pretty good about getting rid of that woman, once and for all.”
“Put your claws away. We’ll deal with her by the book.”
“I’m going to interview her today about Ivanov.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep. She’s my first stop before court.”
“Ugh, that’s right. You’re testifying today.”
“Yeah.”
“How are you feeling about that?”
“Ready to get it over with.”
“I wish I could be there with you.”
“That’d be a three-ring circus.”
“I know, but I still wish I could go.”
“You’ll be there in spirit. Where will I find Gretchen?”
“Since I ordered her out of the Naval Observatory, probably back at wherever she lived before she was VP.”
“I’ll figure out where that is.”
“Will you be able to remain professional with her?”
“I’ll do my very best to keep my steak knife sheathed.”
“That’s my girl.” He kissed her and held her for another minute, soaking in the comfort she provided before another hellacious day began. “In case I forget to tell you, this was the highlight of my day.”
“Mine, too. Do me a favor today?”
“If I can.”
“Please take good care of my husband during this stressful time. He’s the whole world to me, and I worry about him.”
“I’ll be okay. I promise.”
“You’d better be. Remember that all this is temporary, and as big as it is in the moment, we’ve got a whole life to live after this place.”
“You have no idea how much I needed to hear that right now. Thank you for the reminder.”
“Any time you need to hear it, just let me know.”
“Did you get a chance to ask about going to Greenland with me this week?”
