Although the coordinated effort to transport Agent Bishop from the Secret Service facility to the White House had been established an hour before, Heath wasn’t fully cleared for travel by the medical staff until nearly eleven. Regardless of that minimal delay, the task was completed without complication. As a result, Heath was seated in the modest comfort of a basement room well before noon on January first. While he continued to hydrate in order to completely flush the simulated death drug from his system, there was a gentle tap on the door. However without the slightest hesitation the door swung open, and President Harwell entered with Christopher Westin a stride behind.

Once the door had been closed, the President said, “Well Heath, you certainly picked one hell of a way to start the new year!”

Quickly rising to a standing position, he replied, “Yes Mr. President, so it would seem. However having an attempt made upon my life was certainly not my intent.”

“No, I’m sure that it wasn’t. So how do you feel?”

“I’m feeling better sir. The area near my shoulder blade is a little sore, but the doctor at our facility told me that it should heal without too much problem.”

“Well that’s good news, but try not to rush your recovery.”

“Yes sir. And please allow me to apologize for all of this.”

“It’s alright Heath, there’s no need for that. I’m just glad to know that you are relatively unharmed. However I do recall you stating in the past that you weren’t one for much adventure on New Year’s Eve, so last night doesn’t exactly fit your pattern.”

“No sir, it doesn’t.”

“Well, let’s start from the beginning. I would like to know exactly what happened throughout last evening and the early morning hours of today.”

It took Heath some time to explain, but his recounting of the adventure during the previous evening included a thorough description of the attempt upon his life at shortly after midnight by Lieutenant Kristen Royce. Then he reviewed the process which led to the decisions and subsequent actions that took place as a result of her unforeseen effort.

As President Harwell listened to everything that Heath had to report, he took a moment to glance at a copy of the Washington Post that Mrs. Dawson had given him. The newspaper was open to a page which contained a short article, and although there was surely the potential for a more in-depth story to follow within the coming days, the current blurb provided those who read it with the necessary information. Somehow by way of an anonymous tip, a media representative learned of the killings shortly after they had taken place. As a result, the reporter was able to file the initial story minutes before the final early morning deadline. Per the intent of Heath by tipping off the man in the first place, the headline he produced for both print and internet versions contained the desired message. It clearly announced the sad death of a federal Secret Service agent as a result of multiple knife inflicted wounds.

Following the completion of his briefing, steps were immediately taken to build upon the ruse of Agent Bishop being killed. At that juncture it was not yet known if Kristen had acted alone or upon the orders of someone else, so Heath understood and conveyed to the President that caution must be taken. There was the distinct possibility that his apartment could be currently under surveillance, as perhaps there would be no easier method to determine the validity of the reported death than to maintain a watchful eye on his place of residence. Therefore returning to that location for any reason would not be prudent until more detail about the overall situation had been surmised.

In response to that realization, President Harwell suggested that Heath remain at the White House for the time being. His duties as a protectorate would need to be put on hold for an indefinite time, and until it was deemed to be safe, it was best if he remained in portions of the building where contact with people or cameras could be avoided. However that hopeful anonymity would also create an opportunity for Heath, as he would be able to push forward with the ongoing investigation which he had been pursuing.

The President continued in stating to Heath that before his apartment was sealed by the Secret Service to prevent incursion by prying reporters or other individuals, some of his personal belongings could easily be removed and brought to him.

Heath had seen the wisdom in such an approach, agreed that his investigation would be best continued in confidence, and was thankful to President Harwell. For good cause the man fully embraced the importance of what Heath was attempting to prove, and was willing to create an environment which would allow the process to go on unimpeded. Therefore Heath spent the days since New Year’s morning working and sleeping within the confines of a White House basement sanctuary.