“It wasn’t like that. He reached out to congratulate me, and we started chatting again like we used to.”
“What did you talk about?”
“His kids and mine. My divorce. The strain caused by his opposition work that forced him to end his marriage to keep his wife and children safe. He worried about his ex-wife and children being kidnapped, or worse. We talked about the difficulties faced by the Russian people under Petrov’s regime.”
“And these conversations were held on a secure device?”
She glanced down at the floor, which answered the question before she shook her head. “They were on my personal phone. I realize now that was unwise.”
“Unwise,” Nick said with a harsh laugh. “That’s a good word for it.”
“I’m sorry to have disappointed you, sir. I’ve drafted the resignation letter you requested.”
Nick turned away from her, unable to spend another second in her presence. “Go back to your office and wait to hear next steps.”
“Yes, sir.”
After the door closed behind her, Terry said, “Fuck.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“How many foreign intelligence services already know she’s been talking to a Russian national?”
Weary down to his bones, Nick sat behind the Resolute Desk. “All of them. Talk about having egg on my face. There’s no way we’ll be able to contain this.”
“No, we won’t, which is why we have to come clean on the whole thing and put all the blame where it belongs—squarely on her and on everyone who missed this, from vetting to intelligence.”
“They’ll say I have no business being president if I don’t know what my own vice president is up to.”
“They’ll say all the things. You’ll tell the truth, and we’ll move forward.”
“That is, if I don’t get impeached.”
“You won’t, because our party controls both houses in Congress, but you’ll make sure to note the situation has been referred to the AG for a full investigation.”
“I’d vote to impeach me for these circumstances, Terry. We need to expect a massive uproar over this.”
“We’ll keep the focus squarely on Gretchen, who’s fully responsible for this entire situation. I’ll be surprised if she isn’t charged with something. Justice might want to make an example of her to ensure others think twice about associating with Russians.”
Having his vice president potentially charged with a crime hadn’t been on his bingo card for the day.
“Make the call to her.” The acting Attorney General had yet to be confirmed by the Senate after replacing disgraced former AG Reginald Cox.
“Do you want to be the one to tell her what’s going on?”
“I guess I should be.”
“Stand by. I’ll send the call to you when I get her on the line.”
“Thank you.”
“I know this is a horrible situation, but take it one step at a time and do what needs to be done,” Terry said. “This, too, shall pass.”
“Let’s hope you’re right.”
“I usually am, Mr. President.”
The comment forced a smile from Nick, who appreciated the much-needed moment of levity.
