A week before the wedding, Cynthia and Roz had to meet with Brian Thompson. Thompson Security Agency had been handling JD’s personal security since the day he stepped into politics. Even when JD became president, he maintained his personal security as an extra layer to Secret Service. Working with Brian was going to be a breeze, since Cynthia and Brian were more like brother and sister and had been since high school. However, this meeting consisted of all the security teams representing all the dignitaries and other high-profile guests for the Lassiter/Day wedding.
Cynthia looked inside the conference room where everyone was gathered, then glanced back at Roz.
“You are kidding me … right?”
Roz smiled. “I’m afraid not.”
“Do we have enough folders for all of those people?”
“No, we only made up ten,” Roz advised.
“We have to dismiss some of these people.” Cynthia looked back into the room, shook her head, then walked inside. “Good morning.” She walked to the head of the table and placed her tablet down. “I am at a loss for who all of you are. If you would, please introduce yourself and tell me who you represent.”
“Brian Thompson, Thompson Protection Agency, representing JD Harrison and family.”
“Keyeshene Brown, representing Luke Lassiter.”
“Cannon McNally, Brooks-Pendleton Agency, representing Blake Thornton.”
“For expediency, I think I can wrap up everyone else.” A tall, blue-eyed, crewcut gentleman stood. “Kevin Price from Secret Service, covering President Harrison and his family. The heads of details for the President, Mrs. Harrison and each of their children are represented at the table. In addition, heads of details for Chief of Staff James Brooks, Secretary of Homeland Security Royce Davenport, and Press Secretary Pearl Lassiter Prentiss are present.”
“I see,” Cynthia nodded, wondering how she was going to cut this number down. There was no way she could have a productive meeting with this many opinions in the mix. She glanced at Brian, who had an amused look on his face. “Mr. Thompson, Mr. Price, may I have a private moment outside?”
Brian and Mr. Price followed her to the hallway.
“Yes?” Brian smiled.
Cynthia cleared her throat, trying to ignore the smirk on Brian’s face. It was not the first time she’d had to deal with Secret Service, and it probably would not be the last. Hence the reason she wanted to choose her words carefully.
“Mr. Price, I’ve slated an hour to go over the blueprint of the ship and the assignments of your agents. It has been my experience that the Service representatives usually require a more detailed, point-by-point overview of their individual protectee. Is it possible for you to gather the information from this meeting and relay the info to your agents so that they can map out their own security plan?”
“It is my understanding that we will be in international waters. That is going to cause concern for my team.”
“I understand, however …” Cynthia was interrupted before she could complete her sentence.
“You do realize before we can approve this trip, the Service will have to inspect every inch of that ship. In addition, a thorough vetting of every member of the crew, every guest on your list, and every member of your staff will have to be conducted. I don’t think you have any idea how many people it takes to handle the security of the President.”
Cynthia stared blankly at the man, then tilted her head towards Brian. “Is he new?”
“Ma’am …” Mr. Price began.
“First of all, don’t ma’am me. I have worked with Secret Service on many occasions. I understand the importance of your work. Here’s my question to you. Would you like to be the one to tell President Harrison and his wife that they cannot attend their niece’s wedding because your team has concerns?”
Brian cleared his throat. “Kevin, I think what Mrs. Lassiter is suggesting is that you handle the details of security one-on-one with your agents. It will eliminate any possibility of miscommunication between her team and yours. And it will give you the freedom to design your security without the interference of less knowledgeable personnel.”
Mr. Price held Brian’s stare, then slowly nodded. “It is possible, however, each of the representatives will insist on every detail of your itinerary, every port, every …”
“You will have it,” Cynthia stopped him. She did not need to hear the every list of … everything he would need. “You will dismiss all of your agents, with the exception of you and one other. Let’s get this meeting started.”
The meeting started five minutes later with a more manageable number of security personnel, including Brian, Cannon, Keyeshene, who went by Slay, and Mr. Price.
“Since we have the entire ship for the wedding, we took the liberty of assigning decks as follows,” Cynthia began as Roz passed out folders. “Here is a detailed layout of the ship. The owner’s suite will be where the bride and groom will be assigned.”
“No,” Mr. Price objected.
Cynthia looked up. “I’m sorry?”
“The owner’s suite will be occupied by the President and his family. In fact, that entire deck will be off-limits to anyone who does not have clearance to be in the area.”
Brian spoke. “It makes sense, Cynthia. It is one area large enough to accommodate the First Family and their security detail. It’s in a location where it will not disrupt any activities for the wedding.”
“It’s the most secure area on the ship,” Mr. Price added.
“But, it’s Luke and Sasha’s wedding. They take precedence over JD.”
“No one ever takes precedence over the President, ma’am,” Mr. Price sternly spoke.
“We will be happy to move to the next level,” Slay offered. “It’s large enough to house Luke and Sasha, and most of the Lassiters. The next level can house the remaining guests and the Day family.”
“I can agree to that,” Cannon spoke. “The Pendleton family will also be attending the wedding. With the placement of the Day family on the third level, there will be rooms for others. I suggest Jade and Blake be placed on that level, so our team will not be spread out over the ship.”
Cynthia took a moment to glance at her tablet. What was being suggested was possible. All the things she had planned for the bride and groom would have to be adjusted. “We have been planning this wedding for months. There are things specific to the bride and groom.”
“We can move some of those activities to other areas of the ship,” Roz suggested.
Trying to be accommodating, Cynthia nodded. “I do not want their wedding to be overshadowed by the President’s presence.”
“Do you want to be the one to tell the President and his wife that he cannot attend their niece’s wedding because he might overshadow the bride and groom?”
Cynthia stared at the man. How dare he throw her words back at her. “I don’t like you.”
“I’m getting there with you, too,” Mr. Price replied.
Brian laughed. “Look, no one is going to tell the President he cannot attend this wedding. We are going to work out the details to ensure the couple ends the day with their happily-ever-after. Do we all agree?”
Everyone around the table nodded in agreement. An hour later, the basic plans were made for accommodations for the guests. Cynthia, Roz and Brian walked to the snack room at TNT.
“By the end of the day, Price will have assigned agents to the areas along the ship’s itinerary.” Brian said as he sat at one of the high tables in the room. “There will be jets flying over the ship as we travel.”
“Is all of that necessary?” Cynthia asked. “Will we hear them above us?”
“No,” Brian answered. “You will not even know they are there.”
“I don’t understand why so much security is needed,” Roz sat at the table as well. “All the Lassiters will be there. Isn’t that enough protection for JD?”
“They are there to enjoy Luke’s wedding, not watch over JD,” Cynthia declared. “I understand the security, but I do not want it to put a damper on anyone’s fun.”
“Mom, guess what happened?” An excited Samantha, dressed in jeans, a midriff top and sneakers, ran into the room with her bookbag over her shoulder. “I was shopping with Jazzy and Jayda at the mall and this woman asked if I was one of the contestants in the Miss Preteen Pageant.”
Cynthia raised an eyebrow, then glanced at Brian. “Slow down,” she said to her twelve-year-old daughter. “What woman?”
Samantha gave her a piece of paper that was in her hand. “It’s all right here. And you know what, Mom? I can get scholarships and everything. Look, it’s all right here in the pamphlet.”
Cynthia looked down at the piece of paper, then back up at her daughter. “Honey you don’t need a team of judges to tell you that you are beautiful. All you have to do is look in a mirror.”
“I know that, but it looks like a great opportunity,” her eyes sparkled. “I can travel and meet new people. Doesn’t that sound exciting?”
“It sounds interesting,” Cynthia stated. “Let’s talk to your dad about it when we get home. For now, why don’t you do the inventory of items we have to take on the cruise.”
“Cool, thanks Mom.” Samantha kissed her cheek and ran off.
Brian and Roz stared at Cynthia.
“Beauty pageants?” Roz raised an eyebrow. “Where did that come from?”
Cynthia shook her head. “I have no idea.”
“Could it be that Sofia bug skipped one generation to the next?” Brian raised an eyebrow.
“Bite your tongue,” Cynthia snapped. “The last thing I need or want is to be a beauty pageant mom.”
“Oh, you have the temperament for it,” Brian smiled.
“I don’t act like those women on TV.”
Roz cleared her throat. “Yes you do.”
Cynthia gasped. “I do not.”
“Okay,” Roz smirked as she looked away. “Why don’t you tell Brian about Sofia? We can discuss you and your attitude later.”
Cynthia hesitated as she glared at Roz. “With friends like you, who needs enemies?”
“I only speak the truth out of love. Besides, when you tell Samantha about all the dedication that is needed to be a part of those pageants, she will not want to be a part of them. Watch what I tell you.”
“What’s going on with Sofia?” Brian asked. “I thought after the mess in New York, she was behaving.”
“Does she ever?” Cynthia exhaled. “It seems she is upset with me again.”
“What else is new? There is never a time when Sofia is not pissed at you about one thing or another. What did you do this time?” Brian asked.
“She agreed to plan Blake’s wedding,” Roz replied.
Brian frowned. “That’s what TNT does. It would not make sense for Blake to turn to anyone other than his sister to plan his wedding. The same for Jade. So what’s the problem?”
“He is marrying a Lassiter,” Cynthia replied.
“Don’t tell me she is still on that kick.” Brian said with annoyance. “The man loves who he loves, get over it and move on.”
“I agree,” Cynthia replied. “However, Sofia feels differently. She threatened to cause problems. I know you have a lot on your plate, but is it possible to assign someone from your agency to keep an eye on her?”
“Consider it done.” Brian looked up. “Do you want me to have her taken out, too?”
“Don’t tempt me,” Cynthia replied as she sat back, contemplating his offer.