“Yes. And she loved that pin. It was so special to her.”
I frowned. “You’re speaking of her in the past tense.”
He nodded sadly. “Yes, she died five years ago.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, it was tough. But she lived a full life.” He seemed to shake out of his funk, then said, “Oh yeah, back to her pin.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. Opening the lid he showed it to us. A flag pin glittered inside.
I stared at it. “That’s it? That’s your mother’s pin?”
“The one and only.” He beamed proudly.
“That’s amazing.”
“Can I see that?” Remington asked.
“Sure.” Jamie held out the box, and then placed it on the President’s outstretched palm.
“Why do you have it with you?” I asked.
“That’s the favor I want to ask.”
“What?”
“Could you ask the President to wear my mother’s pin?”
I looked at him in surprise. “But it’s your mother’s” I said. “You should hold onto that.”
“It’s kind of useless sitting around in a box. It should be worn. And if my mother knew it was being worn by another president, especially one as upstanding as Remington, I know it would make her happy.”
“I don’t know,” I said. “That’s a very personal item to be giving away.”
“Please?” he said. “Could you at least ask him?”
The President leaned across the table and placed the box between us. “I think it’s a wonderful gift. I can’t speak for the President, of course, but if it was me, I would be honored to wear something so special.”
Jamie smiled. “See? Reginald understands. Please, Sarah?”
I placed my hand over the box and pulled it to me. “Okay. I’ll ask him.”
Jamie grinned wide. “Thanks. And please be sure to tell him the story behind it, okay?”
“I’ll make sure he understands how special it is.”
“Great!” He was grinning from ear to ear, and then he stood. “Okay, I’ll leave you two alone now. I’ve wasted enough of your time.”
“Nice meeting you, Jamie,” Remington said.
“You too, Reginald.” He turned to me. “And you, Sarah, stop avoiding me.” He grinned. “And stay out of dark parks. Take care.” He turned and walked towards the door.
Chapter 22
After Jamie was gone, the President looked at me curiously. “I think you have a fan.”
“I waved my hand. “He’s like a puppy who keeps following me around. I tried to explain that I wasn’t interested, but it just doesn’t seem to sink in. He’s harmless though.”
He thought for a moment. “Why did he have the pin with him?”
I looked at him curiously. “He explained why. Because he wanted me to give it to you.”
“But why did he have it with him tonight? Was he expecting to run into you?”
“Oh. Well, there’s probably an explanation for that.” I proceeded to explain to him about the waitress who called him when I came into Filibuster’s.
“So you think someone working here called him and told him you were here?”
“It seems likely.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“A little. But like I said, he’s harmless.”
“You sure?”
“You met him. What do you think?”
He paused, and then said, “I guess you’re right. But what was that comment about staying out of dark parks?”
I frowned. “I’d rather not talk about that.”
He stared at me for a moment. “Are you sure you’re alright? Nothing for me to worry about?”
“Completely. Trust me, okay?”
His eyes studied me for a long moment. “Very well, Sarah. You ready to head back?”
“Not really, but I guess we have to. I’ve loved being with you tonight.”
“So have I.”
“Are we going back to my place first?” I smiled at him seductively.
“No, we don’t have time.”
“But I still owe you.”
“I haven’t forgotten.” His eyes met mine, and I felt a wet warmth spread between my legs.
We left the club and walked back past the White House to the ellipse, heading for the gatehouse that led down to the tunnel. When we passed a large tree that shielded us from the road, the President stopped and took me into his arms, kissing me passionately.
I felt his strength as he held me, and then his hardness against my stomach. Reaching down, I took him in my hand through his pants, enjoying the rigidity of his desire. Our tongues moved together as his hands caressed my back, pulling me against him. My nipples stiffly pressed into his chest.
His hand slid down to my ass, and I groaned as he squeezed me. Then he slid his fingers down between my legs from behind, sending a wave of pleasure through me.
“Suck me,” he whispered.
I didn’t hesitate. I began to bend my knees, kissing my way down his chest.
“Hey, you two. You can’t be doing that here.”
I quickly straightened, and we both turned to see a D.C. policeman standing on the sidewalk, looking at us. He turned a flashlight on and shone it in our faces. We pulled apart.
“Come out here,” the cop said.
We stepped out from behind the tree. My heart was racing. This wasn’t good.
“Sorry officer,” the President said in his British accent, “I got carried away. As you can see, my girl is very beautiful.”
“That’s not an excuse,” the cop said. “Get a room if you want to do that.”
“We certainly will. Thank you.”
“Now, just let me see some ID, and you can be on your way.”
“I work at the British Embassy.”
“Doesn’t matter. Anyone discovered loitering this close to the White House must show ID. If you have a problem with that, take it up with the folks who passed the Patriot Act. I’m just doing my job. You too, Miss.”
“I’m afraid I’ve left my wallet at the Embassy.”
The cop frowned. “Then I’m afraid I’m going to have to detain you.”
“There’s no need for that.”
“I’ll decide what there’s a need for. Let me see your ID, Miss.”
I began to reach into my purse, but the President placed his hand over mine, stopping me. “That won’t be necessary,” he said.
The policeman stepped closer, and placed his hand on his gun. “I don’t know who you think you are, but in this country we have laws.”
“I sincerely apologize, officer. I mean no disrespect.”
“Yeah, you can explain that to the judge, after spending the night in jail.”
Suddenly, a large, black SUV came around the corner, a blue light flashing from behind its dashboard. It pulled up onto the sidewalk and skidded to a stop, and a tall, gray-haired man got out, holding up a badge.
“Secret Service,” he said, and strode towards the cop.
The officer checked the badge, and said, “What the hell is going on here?”
“Sorry officer, but this is a Secret Service matter, and I’m going to have to ask you to relinquish jurisdiction.”
The cop looked at the President closely, and then said, “Who is this guy? Why are you interested in him?”
“I can’t discuss it with you.”
The policeman pointed his finger at the President. “You’re lucky. If it was up to me, your ass would be in jail.”
“Thank you officer,” the President replied. “And I apologize again for any problems I’ve caused.”
This seemed to mollify the cop. “Very well. Like I said, get a room next time.”
He walked back to his squad car and drove off.
“Thank you, John,” Remington said.
The man didn’t smile. “Mr. President, you have to stop doing this. My men and I have a job to do.”
“Sarah, this is Ch
ief John Luger, section chief of the Secret Service. John this is Sarah Hayes.”
He nodded towards me. “Mr. President, can we move this conversation elsewhere? I’d like to remind you once again about the threat information we’ve received.”
“Sure, John. Let’s go. We’ll take Sarah home first.”
The President and I climbed into the back seat, and Chief Luger drove the few blocks to my apartment. When he stopped in front, I opened the door and got out. The President followed.
“Sir, don’t get out,” Chief Luger said, then muttered, “Shit.”
Remington walked me through the gate, and then inside and up to my door. I opened it.
He took me in his arms and kissed me. I melted into him and held on.
After a moment, he pulled back and said, “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”
“Thank you. And I still owe you one.”
He smiled. “And I’ll be collecting on it. Goodnight, Sarah.” He turned to leave.
“Oh,” I said, “I almost forgot.”
He turned back. I dug into my purse and pulled out Jamie’s jewelry box, holding it out.
The President took it. “Thank you. Tell him I will wear it with pride.”
“Goodnight, sir.”
“Goodnight, Sarah.”
Chapter 23
The next morning, when April and I were alone, she came over and sat on my desk, then looked around conspiratorially. “What’s this I hear about you going out with some assistant to the British Prime Minister?”
I stared at her. “Well, that news traveled fast.”
She laughed. “Jamie came over and spent the night.”
I eyed her curiously. “What about Marcus?”
She smiled. “Marcus was great, but he’s no Jamie.”
“I ran into him last night too.”
“Marcus?”
“Yes, he was with a group of his college friends. He asked about you.”
“Really? What did he say?”
“He asked where you were, and told me to say hello.”
“That’s nice. But what about this British guy? How did that happen?”
I shrugged. “He asked me to show him around the town, so I agreed.”
“And you met him here, in the White House? I don’t remember seeing him.”
“It was after you left yesterday.”
“So, you and him? Do any snogging and shagging?” She spoke the last sentence in a British accent.
I laughed. “Hardly. He was the perfect English gentleman.”
“Are you seeing him again?”
“I doubt it. He flew back to England this morning.”
“The Prime Minister will be back in a few weeks for the signing of the Euro Accord. Maybe you’ll see him again then.”
“Maybe. So, you and Jamie are back on?”
“Yeah. Every time I think I might want to give up on him, I sleep with him, and I’m reminded why I want to stay with him.”
“Really?”
“Oh god, he’s wonderful in bed. He’s kind and caring, but there’s a side of him that seems to appear just at that time, you know, when things get wild, and he’s a little scary.”
“Scary? Jamie?”
“I mean scary in a good way. Like when you’re with a guy who has that look in his eye, and you’re not sure what he’s going to do?”
“Yeah, I understand. But Jamie?”
She smiled. “You’d be surprised.”
I thought about the look that he had given me when we were in my apartment, and I told him he had to leave. Had I gotten a glimpse of the side of him that April was talking about?
We heard someone clear their throat, and we looked up to see a Secret Service agent standing in our doorway. April slid off the desk and stood, and we both looked at him expectantly.
“Miss Hayes?”
“Yes?” I said.
“Can you come with me?”
“Sure. What’s this about?”
“Just follow me, please.”
April and I shared a questioning glance, and I got up and followed the agent. He led me downstairs, and then down another flight of steps, to the basement floor, which I had never been to before. He took me to a closed office door and knocked.
“Yes?” came a voice from the other side.
“Miss Hayes is here to see you, sir.”
“Thanks. Send her in.”
He opened the door and I stepped inside. I found myself face to face with Chief Luger, who I had met last night.
“Hello, Miss Hayes. Please close the door and have a seat.”
I did as he asked, sitting in the offered chair and staring across his desk at him. He looked to be in his early fifties, with close-cropped gray hair that made him look like a Marine. And based upon the various Marine awards and recognitions around the room, that’s exactly what he was. Even under his dress shirt, I could see he was powerfully built, thick and solid.
He was eyeing me with a penetrating stare, and I felt I had to speak. “Thank you for last night. For coming to get us.”
He ignored me and said, “Miss Hayes, I have a problem.”
“You do?”
“Yes. And the problem is, I’ve taken a sworn oath to protect a man who has no regard for his own safety.”
I stared at him.
“And to make that problem worse, I’m in charge of hundreds of men and women who’ve taken that same oath. Fine people who are willing to lay down their lives to protect this man.”
“I understand.”
“I don’t think you do. Or you wouldn’t be out gallivanting with him in public, making a mockery of all those people sworn to protect him.”
“We weren’t making a mockery of them. We just wanted a night out.”
“And who do you think would be blamed if something had happened? We would be accused of not doing our jobs, and you know what, they’d be right.”
“With all due respect, Chief Luger, shouldn’t you be having this conversation with the President?”
“Don’t you think I haven’t? Many times? But the only problem with that is, I work for him, not the other way around.”
“What do you want from me then?”
“I want you to talk him out of it if he tries to do it again.”
“Talk him out of it? I’m just an intern. I can’t talk him out of anything.”
He leaned forward in his chair, and it felt like his eyes were boring through me. “Miss Hayes, you and I are going to get along a lot better if we spare each other the bullshit. Look, I don’t give a flying fart in a windstorm what you two are doing together. Hell, from what he’s been through, I’m happy he’s found someone. But don’t sit here and lie to my face and tell me you can’t influence him. Because we both know better.”
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
He leaned back. “I just want you to remember there’s real danger out there. This isn’t something we’re imagining. And if you care about him, which I’m sure you do, you should keep that in mind.”
I thought for a moment. “You mentioned something last night about a threat.”
“That’s right.”
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t discuss that with you.”
“You’re asking for my help. Wouldn’t I be able to help more if I knew the details?”
He stared at me, as if trying to decide. Finally, he spoke. “We’ve received information that someone is going to attempt an assassination of the President.”
My eyes opened wide. “Who?”
“We don’t know his real name. He’s known throughout the Middle East as Ghorbaan, which roughly translates to ‘The Raven’.”
“Do you know what he looks like?”
“No photos of him exist. We assume he’s from that area, but we can’t even be sure of that. But we do know he’s responsible for countless deaths, including one of the Crown Princes of Saudi Arabia. Also, he killed a journalist in Sweden, who was well k
nown for his anti-Islamic opinions.”
“Oh my god. How sure are you about this?”
“Almost certain. It’s been confirmed by two independent sources, both of which we consider highly reliable.”
“Do you have any idea when this is supposed to happen?”
“Our sources couldn’t give us specific dates, but all indications point to it being soon. Probably in the next month or two. And Miss Hayes, the word on the Raven is that he always gets to his target. Without fail.”
I felt the chill of fear run through me. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. If I would have known.”
“Now you do. So, can I count on your help?”
“Certainly.”
“Thank you. And if you need my help with anything, just ask. The Secret Service can be very discreet.”
“Thank you, Chief Luger.”
Chapter 24
I didn’t get a chance to talk to the President until I took my letters into his office at the end of the day. He was giving some last-minute instructions to Mrs. Thorndike before she left for the day, so I waited until they were through. As she returned to her office, the President turned to me.
“Good afternoon, Miss Hayes. Are my letters ready?”
“Yes, sir.” I laid the stack on his desk.
“Excellent. I’ll take a look at them, but I’m sure they’re fine, as usual.”
We both heard the door of Mrs. Thorndike’s office close as she left for the day. He turned to me and smiled.
“Did you enjoy yourself last night?”
“Very much, Mr. President.” I wanted to lecture him on the danger of what we did, but decided to fight that battle at another time.
“So did I.”
“There’s only one problem,” I said.
“What is that?”
“I didn’t get to pay you back for your, um, favor you gave to me.”
He smiled. “Don’t worry, Sarah, we’ll be evening the score soon.”
“I’m ready now, if you are.”
He glanced at the clock. “As enticing as that sounds, I have five representatives from the Ways and Means committee due here in a few minutes.”
“Later then?”
“I’m sorry. I’m scheduled to have dinner at Senator Quinn’s house tonight. And although I’d rather spend the evening with you, I need her support on the Euro Accord.”
Yes, Mr President Page 11
