Chapter Two
CHAPTER TWO
I t took every bit of self-control Nick could muster not to erupt into rage that would only upset Sam and wouldn’t bring Juan back. The rage was tinged with agony for Juan’s mother and everyone else who’d loved the sharp, funny, ambitious naval officer who’d risked everything to warn Nick of a nefarious plot.
Had he paid for his loyalty with his life?
Juan was the seventh member of the military to die since Nick took office. The other six had been killed at Fort Liberty by a disgruntled soldier who’d opted to take a voluntary dishonorable discharge for not being willing to serve under an “unelected” commander in chief. He’d responded to his outrage by shooting up a gathering of his fellow service members.
Each of those deaths weighed heavy on Nick’s soul, but this one…
Juan Rodriguez had been one of the first people to enter his orbit as president, responsible for the nuclear codes that were carried by Juan and a rotation of other military attachés, one of whom was always close to Nick.
Most of them were quiet and reserved in his presence. Juan had been the exception. He had been friendly and usually had something to say to Nick when they’d been in the same room. They’d discovered a common love of sports, baseball in particular, and had shared spirited conversations about the DC Feds, Juan’s Phillies and Nick’s Red Sox.
In a world where no one treated Nick like a regular guy anymore, Juan had, and Nick had appreciated that more than the young man would ever know. His heart was absolutely shattered that Juan was gone forever. And the thought of having to tell his mother… It was unbearable.
Sam sat next to him on the sofa and put her arm around him, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Nick had talked to Mrs. Rodriguez twice over recent days, heard stories of young Juan sweeping the floor of the salon for baseball card money from the time he was seven or eight. He’d heard her pride at Juan receiving a prestigious appointment to the Naval Academy, followed by his service to the president in the White House.
He’d promised to personally let her know the second they learned anything about Juan’s whereabouts, but now that he knew, he wanted to delay giving her the devastating news for as long as he could.
Nick dropped his head into his hands.
Had one of the disgraced former Joint Chiefs murdered Juan to exact revenge for blowing the lid off their plot? They’d been dishonorably discharged from the military and were facing criminal charges as well as the loss of lucrative pensions. With their careers and reputations in tatters, what did they have to lose by killing the man who’d thwarted their plot?
Nothing. They had nothing at all to lose by killing Juan.
Nick had to pull himself together and do what needed to be done to get justice for Juan. He’d take five more minutes with Sam and the comfort only she could provide, and then he’d get back to being the president.
“What can I do for you?” she asked .
With his arm around her, he brought her with him when he sat back against the sofa. “This is what I need most.” They both had a million things they should’ve been doing, but none of that mattered during the five minutes he was taking for himself.
She rested her head on his chest and kept an arm around his waist. “I wish there was more I could do.”
“I’m sure you’ll do plenty to find the person who killed Juan.”
“Everything I can.”
“Don’t you need to get back to work?”
“Not yet.”
“I heard you got Tom’s killer.”
“We did.”
“I heard you did.”
Sam shrugged, as if that arrest seemed like a lifetime ago now that a new crisis had arisen.
“I have to call Juan’s mother.”
“I’ll be right here with you when you do.”
“I don’t want to make that call.”
She tightened her arm around him. “I know, love.”
“If I could go back in time, I’d say an emphatic no when Nelson asked me to be his VP. Then people wouldn’t be getting killed because of me.”
“It’s not because of you. It’s because people who kill other people are assholes.”
“How can it not be related to their disapproval of me?”
“You know what I’ve learned after all these years on the job? Nothing is ever as obvious as we think it’s going to be. It’s always more complicated than it seems at first. As much as you liked and respected Juan, you didn’t really know him. You didn’t know what he did outside of work or who he was out of uniform. Anything is possible, right up to and including something totally random.”
“This wasn’t random. No way, and Juan wasn’t the type to be someone different away from work. He was a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of guy, which is why I liked him so much. One of many reasons.”
“People show the world the person they want everyone to see. Behind the scenes is a whole other story—and that’s true for everyone.”
“It’s not true for you. You’re exactly who and what you appear to be in public.”
“But there are sides to me that the public will never see. Just like there’re sides to you they don’t see.”
“I guess.”
“Juan was a great man and a distinguished officer who was excellent at his job. Other than the things he chose to share with you, we know nothing about him.”
“I refuse to believe he was anything other than exactly what he seemed to be.”
“I’m so sorry you lost someone you cared about. He was a wonderful guy from what I knew of him.”
“He really was.”
Nick sighed, realizing his five minutes were up. “I need to make that call.”
He made no move to get up.
The thought of calling Mrs. Rodriguez made him sick.
He stared at the door to the Colonnade. “What do you think people would say if I walked out that door and never came back?”
“You probably wouldn’t get too far before Brant and the other agents went after you.”
“They’d bring me back, right?”
“Sorry to be a buzzkill, but I believe so.”
“Is this what jail feels like?”
She looked up at him, offering the barest hint of a smile. “With many fewer amenities and no butlers.”
“I’d miss the butlers. ”
“Would you miss me and the kids? I assume this breakout doesn’t include us.”
“Why do you think I haven’t made a run for it?”
Sam turned his face toward her and laid a sweet kiss on him. “I love you so much, and I hate that this has happened.”
“I love you, too. Thank you for coming in to be with me.”
“There was nowhere else I wanted to be.”
He took another deep breath and blew it out. “Let’s get this over with.”
They got up together and went to the Resolute Desk.
He dragged a chair around the desk so she could sit next to him.
When they were settled, he pressed the button on the phone that got him to Julie. “Could you please get me Linda Rodriguez?”
“Yes, sir, Mr. President. One moment please.”
“Thank you.”
While they waited, Sam reached for his hand and held on tight.
The phone beeped. “I have Mrs. Rodriguez for you, Mr. President.”
He glanced at Sam before he pressed the flashing button. “Linda, it’s Nick Cappuano.”
“Mr. President… is there any news about my Juan?”
Nick closed his eyes against an instant surge of tears. “I’m sorry to have to tell you that he was found dead this morning.”
Her screams pierced his soul.
He brushed at tears that spilled down his cheeks. “I’d give anything not to be calling you with this news. You know I thought the world of Juan, and I’m heartbroken for you and everyone who loved him.” The words rang hollow to him. What difference would they make to his grieving mother?
“Th-thank you for your kindness. He… He adored you.”
“Do you have someone with you?” Nick asked.
“My s-sisters, nieces and nephews are here. ”
He heard something in the background before a man said, “I’m sorry, but my aunt isn’t up to talking anymore.”
“I understand. This is Nick Cappuano. Please tell her I’ll see to it personally that Juan is afforded full military honors.”
“I’ll let her know.”
“Would you also mind notifying me of funeral arrangements?”
After a long pause, the man said, “Yes, of course.”
Nick gave him the phone number to call to get the details to him. “Juan meant a lot to me. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. What do you know about what happened to him?”
“Nothing yet, but there’ll be a full investigation and more information forthcoming. Should I pass along your contact information to the officers in charge?”
“Yes, please. My aunt is in no condition to deal with police.”
Sam released his hand to produce her notebook and pen.
“Go ahead and give me your number,” Nick said.
Sam wrote down the number.
“And your name?”
“Francisco Alba.”
“I’ll make sure the police are in touch, and again, my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your cousin.”
“Thank you for calling.”
Nick pressed the button to end the call.
Sam reached for him, and he fell into her embrace, thankful as always to have her by his side for the good times, the bad times and the truly dreadful times.
He held on to her and soaked in her love for a few minutes before he pulled back to kiss her. “Thank you for knowing just what I need.”
She wiped the remaining tears from his face. “I wish it could be more.”
“It’s everything.”
He pushed the button for Julie again. “Would you please ask Secretary Jennings and Acting AG Conrad to come in? I’d also like to see Admiral Malin and NNSA Administrator Gilmore as soon as possible. Please get a message to Vice President Henderson and the cabinet that I won’t be rejoining the meeting.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Thank you.”
“What is NNSA?” Sam asked.
“The National Nuclear Security Administration. They oversee the safety of the nation’s nuclear stockpile, and as the agency that acts as the first responder in a nuclear emergency, they work closely with the military personnel responsible for the nuclear codes.”
“Just when I think I’ve heard of every federal agency, there’re more.”
“There’re so many, it would make your head spin.”
A knock on the door sounded.
“Come in.”
Julie and the other admins had been instructed to wait for him to grant admission whenever Sam was with him in the office. Otherwise, his staff were on a knock-and-enter system.
“Secretary Jennings and Acting Attorney General Conrad for you, sir.”
“Thank you, Julie.”
“Do you want me to go?” Sam asked.
“Not yet.”
“Thanks for coming in,” Nick said to the others. “I’ve been notified that Lieutenant Commander Rodriguez has been found dead.”
“Oh no,” Defense Secretary Jennings said. He was tall, with silver hair and a normally stern expression that cracked with emotion when he heard the news. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“As was I. I’d like you to instruct NCIS to work in tandem with Lieutenant Holland and the Metro PD to fully investigate his death. ”
“Is it being looked at as a murder?” In her mid-fifties, Conrad was a career prosecutor with shoulder-length brown hair and dark eyes. She’d been tapped to take over for former AG Cox, pending Senate approval.
“We don’t know yet,” Sam said. “Our medical examiner has his remains, and we’re awaiting the results of the autopsy. He was found in uniform inside a clothing donation bin on New York Avenue.”
“Good God,” Jennings said softly. He seemed to take a second to recover his usual stoic composure. “I’ll pass along the instructions to NCIS. I assume they should reach out to Lieutenant Holland?”
“Sergeant Gonzales on my team will be leading the investigation,” Sam said.
“I’ll ask them to get in touch.”
“Thank you.”
“Please also ask them not to turn this into a battle of wills over jurisdiction,” Nick said. “We all want the same thing—answers for Juan’s mother and family as soon as possible.”
“Understood, sir.”
After the secretary and acting AG had left the room, Sam fanned her face.
“What?”
“Hot. As. Fuck.”
“Huh?”
“You, giving orders and taking charge. I dig it. And thank you for anticipating the jurisdictional battle that was brewing.”
“Only you could make me smile right now.”
“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but that was quite something.”
“Knock it off,” he said with his usual disdain for her finding him hot.
“I’ll never knock it off.” She stood and stepped away from the desk. “Come here and give me a hug so I can go back to work feeling as if you’re going to be okay. ”
He stood and reached for her.
Sam stepped into his embrace and wrapped her arms around him. “Are you going to be okay?”
“What choice do I have?”
“I’d give anything to fix it for you.”
“I know, and that helps. I’m just so angry and afraid that Juan’s murder will be traced back to the former Joint Chiefs, which would result in yet another enormous shit show.”
“Wherever it leads, it won’t be your fault. Tell me you know that.”
“I do.”
“Remind me what you’ve got on the calendar the next few days.”
“I’ve got that thing in Baltimore at the boys’ school tomorrow.” His younger twin brothers, Brock and Brayden, had invited him to appear at their elementary school as part of his outreach to students. He’d been looking forward to it until the news about Juan deflated him. “After that is lunch with the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor, followed by a fundraiser for the Maryland Democrats. I’ll make an appearance and get out of there. And I’ve got the West Coast trip on Wednesday.”
“We’re not discussing that until we have to.”
He smiled. “I’ll be back before you miss me.”
“No, you won’t.” She held on for another minute before pulling back and looking up at him. “I love you, and I’m sorry you’re hurting.”
“Thanks. I love you, too.” He gave her a sweet kiss and then buried his face in the curve of her neck, breathing in her familiar scent and clinging to the love of his life for another minute. “Be careful out there with my wife. She’s my whole world.”
“I will.” She reached up to caress his face. “Be careful in here with my husband. He’s everything to me, and the best person I’ve ever known. ”
He kissed her once more.
“I’m so, so sorry about Juan.”
“Thank you. I am, too. His potential was endless. Whatever happened to him and for whatever reason, I promise you he didn’t deserve it.”
“That’s often the case with murder.”
A knock on the door had them stepping back from each other.
“Come in.”
Nick’s chief of staff, Terry O’Connor, walked into the room. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. President, but you’re needed in the Situation Room.”
Ugh, Sam thought. What now?
“Thank you, Terry. I’ll be right there.”
“I heard about Juan, sir. I’m very sorry for the loss of such an outstanding young man.”
“I am, too.”
Terry nodded and left the room, closing the door.
Nick leaned his forehead on Sam’s. “I’ve got to go figure out what fresh hell is brewing in the Situation Room.”
“I know.”
“I guess this’ll be a late one for you.”
“I’ll try to get home at a decent hour. Call me if you need me? No matter what. Call me.”
“I will. Thanks for coming to tell me yourself.”
“I’d never have let you hear that news from someone else if I could help it.”
“Means a lot that you have my back.”
“Always.”
“Never had that before I had you.”
“Now you’re stuck with me, and I want you to hear me when I tell you that if it turns out to be related to the Joint Chiefs, Juan knew he was taking a huge risk passing that info on to you. He’d probably tell you he’d do it again, because that’s who he was. ”
“Yeah, he probably would say that. He was a proud American and naval officer.”
“Hold on to that when the despair threatens to drag you under, okay?”
“Yeah, I will. Thanks for the reminder.”
“You got it.” She kissed him. “Now get to the Situation Room before you’re marked tardy.”
He gave a small smile. “They can’t start without me.”