PRESIDENT HARRISON TUCKER didn’t think it was possible, but in fact his mood is improving as Air Force One slowly taxis to its special spot at Andrews Air Force Base. He knows the pilots of Air Force One pride themselves on always arriving on time, but he also knows their secret: on time means coming to a halt at the wheel chocks, and they will either reduce or increase their taxiing speed to ensure they make the goal.
Secrets.
God, if only his one secret had been kept, at least for another month.
Parker Hoyt has been at his side for the last few hours, insisting that they play hand after hand of cribbage, and even though Harrison lost every hand to his wily chief of staff, he has enjoyed those few hours of distraction. It has done him well.
But now the cards and cribbage board have been put away. He glances out the window. Thank God this is a military base, and the public and press can be contained.
“What now?” he asks.
“You should try the First Lady one more time,” Parker says. “It’s a long shot, but maybe we could get her to stand with you for a moment, some sort of photo op on the South Lawn when Marine One comes in for a landing…”
Harrison says, “Oh, come on, Parker, there’s no way she’s going to do that.”
“Don’t be so sure,” his chief of staff says. “Without you, who is she? Another housewife with big dreams and ambitions. If she wants to continue her do-gooding ways, she needs to be with you. Sooner or later, she’ll come to that conclusion, she’ll smile for the cameras, and she’ll bear it.”
Harrison ponders what Parker has just said. He sounds…correct. Harsh, but correct. “What else?”
Parker says, “We need to meet with your senior campaign staff, and reps from both the House and the Senate. Not the congressmen or senators…Jesus, we don’t need those blowhards making a statement out on the South Lawn after they leave. We’ll want staff members from the Hill that we can quietly slide in and brief.”
“And say what?”
“That we’re facing a bumpy week or two, but we’ll be fine. They bring that message back to the Hill, and that will reassure most of the crew up here. They may be angry at you for what you’ve done, but they’re also scared to death to see the governor of California get sworn in next January.”
“Who’ll be making the briefing?”
Parker says, “It has to be you. Anybody else, the staffers will smell blood in the water and they’ll race back up Pennsylvania Avenue on their young and chubby legs and tell their senator or representative to start backing away. First and foremost, they’re politicians, wanting only to save their skin, and if they see any sign of disarray or weakness from this White House, they’ll abandon you, sir. You need to show them remorse, but most of all, you need to show them strength.”
Harrison still hates hearing what’s coming from his chief of staff, but he knows he’s right. “Sounds reasonable.”
“Good,” Parker replies. “But first things first, sir. Make the call.”
He picks up his phone. “Get me the First Lady, please.”
When he puts the phone down, he says, “What about the press back there?”
Parker offers a thin smile. “Let Jeremy”—the President’s press secretary—“earn his pay for once. He’ll keep them in place until you’re safely on Marine One.”
“But what will he say to them about what…what happened in Atlanta?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Jeremy, and he’ll take care of the press. You just take care of the First Lady, try to calm her down. That’s your goal for the day…oh, and one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
Parker says, “You get off the steps here at the base, you do the usual meet-and-greet with the military at the bottom. The only camera will be a pool camera, to see if you fall on your ass as you leave the aircraft. Don’t trot down the stairs like you’re in a hurry, and don’t blow by the Air Force folks at the tarmac. Take your time. You’re a guy who’s messed up but who’s confident he can come back.”
Harrison nods. “I see what you mean.”
“Same thing at the White House. If you can persuade the First Lady to show up, perfect. That means the turnaround will take place quicker than I hoped. But if she’s still in a pissy mood and won’t show up, no problem. You step off Marine One, wave, and saunter back into the White House like nothing’s wrong, like you’re totally in control.”
“Fair enough,” Harrison says, and he remembers something from that morning with Tammy. “But I need you to do one more thing for me.”
Parker says, “My to-do list is pretty long, but go ahead.”
Harrison says, “Congressman Vickers. Last night’s speech was a near disaster, with a lot of my supporters being turned away. I want him out.”
“But that might—”
“I don’t care,” Harrison says. “He’s out by the end of the day, all right?”
“We’re up by six percent in Georgia.”
“Five point six percent,” Harrison says, remembering what his Tammy told him. “And it would probably be up another half point if it wasn’t for him. He’s gone.”
Parker nods, and Harrison sees there’s relief in his eyes. His chief of staff is seeing the President of the United States is back at work.
A soft rap on the door, and Harrison says, “Yes, come in.”
In comes the head of his protective detail, Jackson Thiel, and the large man looks troubled.
Harrison is suddenly afraid.
“Yes, Jackson, what is it?”
“Sir…the communications officer…he contacted me after you requested to talk to the First Lady.”
“All right,” Harrison says. “But why are you here?”
“Sir…”
“Yes?”
Jackson hesitates for the briefest and most frightening of seconds, and in a quiet and stone-cold voice, says:
“Sir…the First Lady…she can’t be located.”