He helped her to the closest chair and crouched in front of her. “You’re pale as a ghost. What just happened?”
“Four people who were alive this morning, including three of my civilian colleagues and one of the reporters who covers us, are dead, and you think it’s because the Russians were hoping to kill the president’s wife at her workplace?”
“We don’t know anything for certain yet.”
“But that’s what you think happened, which means you’re hearing that from others, too.”
“It’s a theory, Sam. That’s all it is so far.”
“If it’s true, that’s the end of my career.” She swallowed frantically, trying to dislodge the huge lump in her throat. “How do I go back there if four, or more, people were killed because of me?”
“You didn’t kill anyone.”
“Nick… Please tell me you understand what I’m saying. I can’t work there anymore if people are bombing the place, hoping to take me out! I’ve already got two injured Secret Service agents on my conscience. This… This is too much.”
She swiped angrily at the tears that appeared out of nowhere.
“How about we wait to see what the investigation reveals before we make any big decisions?” He leaned forward to kiss the tears off her face. “I’m sorry to have upset you.”
“You didn’t. I was already upset when I got here, but now I don’t know what to do. I need to go back to work, but will I be making it unsafe for everyone else just by being there?”
“The thing is, we don’t know for sure, and until we do, it might be better to work from here.”
Work from here… How in the hell would she work a case like this from home, and what message would that send to her colleagues, who were managing a catastrophe while she hid out in the comfort and safety of the White House?
She wiped the last of the tears from her face. “If I don’t go back now, I can’t go ever again. I’m simply not prepared to make that call when my house has been bombed and Amara is missing. My team needs me.”
Nick stood and stepped back to give her room to get up.
When she wobbled on unsteady legs, his hands on her shoulders steadied her.
“I know it’s not what you want, and I respect your rationale, but please understand?—”
He kissed her. “I do. I understand. I don’t like it, but I get it. And P.S., if this is about you, then it’s my fault, not yours.”
“Can you please find out if the Russians stole Sergei and took my witness?”
“I’ll get the Russian ambassador in here right away and request his assistance with both those things.”
“Let me know what you find out.”
“You’ll be the first to know—if I can tell you, that is.”
They shared a warm smile and another tight hug.
“Please keep your wits about you. All the time, but especially right now.”
“My wits are always right where they should be—focused on getting the job done and coming home to you and the kids.”
He held on tighter.
“You have to let go.”
“Never.”
“Nick.”
Terry knocked and came into the room. “Oh, sorry.”
