Chapter Eight
A small group of reporters was gathered in the press room when Nick walked in at twenty minutes after one that Sunday morning to read the statement he’d crafted.
Everyone sat up straighter when he entered. It still amused him all these months later how people snapped to attention in his presence, as if he didn’t put his pants on one leg at a time like everyone else.
“Around eight o’clock last evening, the first lady and I were informed that our eleven-year-old nephew, Ethan Hogan, was missing.
The first lady received a call from her sister Tracy Hogan, who told her that Ethan wasn’t answering his phone and that the location services had been turned off.
Needless to say, in the hours since, we’ve been doing everything in our power to find Ethan and bring him home safely.
Sam is consulting with her colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Department, which issued a be-on-the-lookout alert several hours ago.
The BOLO included a recent photo of Ethan as well as photos of Tomas Cambra and Luna Ahern, who are also missing.
We’d appreciate your help in distributing the information. I’ll take a few questions.”
“Has your nephew been in any trouble?”
“Not that we’re aware of.”
“Where was he supposed to be?”
“He left with Tomas to get pizza and play video games at the arcade at the Wharf. The MPD has released information about Tomas as well.”
“Is there any connection between Luna, your nephew and his friend?”
“That’d be a question for the MPD.”
“How is the first lady doing?”
“As you can imagine, she’s consumed with worry for her nephew and his friend and hoping to get them home safely. The MPD will have more information for you in the morning. Thank you for your help in spreading the word.”
He stepped away from the podium, ignoring unrelated questions they tossed at him as he left the room. As if he’d bother to answer random questions about Congress or pending trade agreements when his nephew was missing.
Brant walked with him from the West Wing to the residence. “Is there anything I can do for you tonight, sir?”
Nick realized the young man was asking as a friend and not as an agent. “No, thank you, Brant. Not sure what we can do that’s not being done already. Sam said the FBI is coming in tomorrow, which is a relief. We’ll take all the help we can get.”
“Please give Mrs. Cappuano my regards and tell her I’m thinking of her and the family.”
“I will. Thanks, Brant.”
“Assume you’re in for the night now?”
“I hope so.”
He reached up to touch his ear piece. “I’m receiving word that Mrs. Cappuano is on the way home with her detail.”
“That’s good news.”
“Hopefully, you both can get some rest.”
Nick suspected rest would be the last thing on Sam’s to-do list with Ethan missing. “I hope so, too.”
He parted company with Brant as he went upstairs to the residence, where Cory, one of the new agents, stood guard.
“Good morning, Mr. President.”
“Morning, Cory.”
Nick looked in on the twins and Scotty, all of whom were sound asleep, before heading to the suite he shared with Sam, feeling exhausted and as anxious as he’d been the day they’d learned armed drones had been dispatched toward the Easter Egg Roll.
Their family had been through a lot in recent months. Ethan’s disappearance was almost too much to bear. He couldn’t imagine how Tracy, Mike, Brooke and Abby must be feeling.
When Sam came in fifteen minutes later, he’d changed into sweats and a T-shirt and was waiting for her with a glass of wine.
“Sit for a minute,” he said.
“I’m not sure if I can. If I stop moving, I might be tempted to scream my head off.”
“If that’s what you need to do…”
“I would if I thought it’d make any difference.”
She took the glass as she sat next to him on the sofa. “I looked in on my kids, sleeping peacefully, always under the watch of world-class security. We’re so lucky this could never happen to us and that Scotty isn’t allowed to run around DC on his own with his friends.”
“Thank goodness for the small mercies of the presidency, huh?”
“Yeah. Remind me to never complain about any of it ever again.”
“You’re still allowed to complain about the shitty parts. Is there anything new?”
“Archie was able to tie Ethan and Tomas to the missing girl through text messages they sent to her quite some time after they went dark to their parents.”
“What does that mean?”
“We’re not sure yet. He’s got people working on the data overnight, looking for more info.
Patrol is currently looking for all of them.
Not sure what else we could do that we’re not doing.
And on top of that, we had a murder at a hotel that’s got my whole team recalled for a canvass of nearly two hundred rooms and their occupants. ”
“Damn.”
“Yeah, so…”
“Do you think you could try to get some sleep?”
“I suppose I should try so I can give it my all tomorrow.”
“Finish the wine. It’ll help you sleep.”
They sat in silence for the time it took her to consume the wine. Then she got up to change into pajama pants and a T-shirt. She set her alarm for six before sliding into bed next to him.
“Come here.”
She turned toward him, resting her head on his chest as he held her close. “I’ve dealt with a lot of shit on this job, a lot of things that struck far too close to home, but this… Not knowing where he is… It’s making me crazy.”
“I know, honey. It’s so scary, but Ethan’s a good kid who was raised by strong parents and the savviest cop around. He knows how to keep himself safe. Let’s have some faith in him.”
“He’s only eleven,” she said tearfully. “Eleven, Nick. Why were they letting him go out with his friends? He’s too young for that.”
“I agree, but you know how kids can be when they want something badly enough. They wear down their parents until they give in on something they know they probably shouldn’t.”
“I swear I’ll never complain about the confines of security again after this.”
“Yes, you will, and so will I, but we’ll always be grateful for the way they care for our kids.”
“I just thought of something.” Sam sat up and reached for her phone to send a text to her friend U.S. Marshal Jesse Best. The marshals specialized in finding missing people.
I need your help. Did you see the BOLO for Ethan Hogan issued earlier? He’s my nephew. We’re going nuts trying to find him and don’t know what to do. Can you help?
Jesse wrote back right away. When and where?
HQ 8 a.m.?
I’ll be there.
Thank you.
She returned her phone to the bedside table and tried to settle her mind so she could attempt to sleep. An hour later, she gave up and got out of bed so her disquiet wouldn’t disturb Nick, who struggled for every minute of sleep he could get.
In the office Nick used for after-hours work, Sam fired up the laptop and opened a browser to do a search on incel culture and found much of the information Freddie and Archie had imparted earlier, but with additional terrifying details about incidents in which people who called themselves incels had attacked innocent men and women for being everything they’d never be.
Hours later, she knew more than she’d ever wanted to about a sick, twisted and disgusting subject.
When Nick’s hands landed on her shoulders, she startled and then relaxed as her mind regulated to accept it was him and not one of the vile men she’d been reading about.
“What’re you doing?”
“Scaring the ever-loving shit out of myself by reading about incel culture. It’s terrifying.”
“You need to get some rest, babe.”
“I can’t. Every time I close my eyes, I picture Ethan in some horrible situation. I need to be out there looking for him.”
“Everyone on duty is looking for him. Even the Secret Service is assisting.”
She ran her fingers through her hair as he continued to knead the tension from her shoulders. “I have to do something. I’m going to shower and head to HQ to see what’s going on.”
“If you make yourself sick, you won’t be any help to Ethan or Tracy.”
“I know, but it’s what I have to do. Tell me you understand.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I do, and I wish I could go with you without causing a circus.”
“You could come to HQ if you wanted. We could make that work.” She turned so she could see him, feeling madly vulnerable. “It would help me to have you there.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” He helped her up. “Take your shower while I notify the agents.”
“What about the kids in the morning?”
“Your mom is still here. She won’t mind staying.”
Sam nodded, hoping her mom didn’t have other plans.
“Give her a call. I bet she’s up, worrying about Ethan, too.”
“Probably.” While he went to talk to the agents on duty in the residence, she made the call to her mother.
“Any news?” Brenda asked when she answered.
“Nothing yet. I’m going into work, and Nick is coming with me. Do you think you can handle the morning with the kids?”
“Of course. Anything I need to know?”
“I usually make an egg sandwich for Scotty and pancakes or French toast for the twins. Sometimes they just want regular toast with peanut butter. You have to make sure the twins brush their teeth, and…” Her voice caught as she thought of Ethan and how he wouldn’t be home with his family in the morning.
“This is awful,” her mom said. “I can’t bear it for Tracy and Mike and the girls. And the rest of us.”
“It’s unbearable. I’ve got to go do something to at least try to help.”
“I’m glad you’re working on it. That brings me comfort, and I’m sure it does for Tracy and Mike, too. I’ll take good care of your babies. Go find Ethan.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Love you, Sam. Be safe.”
“Love you, too.”