Eighteen Acres

by Nicolle Wallace

  “Marine One crashed, and Dale Smith and her crew were brought here to the hospital on the base. Her crew members and the helicopter’s pilot and crew suffered minor injuries. They were released from the hospital and are doing well. In fact, I see some of them here tonight. Dale Smith’s injuries were critical. She was brought to the hospital’s trauma center, where Dr. Margaret Sladen, who is also here tonight, headed the surgical team that worked for about six hours on Ms. Smith. Ms. Smith is recovering faster than her doctors predicted. She is breathing on her own, and it is their judgment that she will make a complete recovery. However, we won’t say anything else about her medical condition from here today, and we defer to Ms. Smith’s family and the military hospital system for any further updates.

  “One member of my team, who has served this country with honor and distinction for nearly three decades, informed me just before I walked out here that he would be placing himself on administrative leave pending a joint Pentagon-CIA investigation of the sequence of events leading up to the decision to move me from one helicopter to the other. This individual is Secretary Roger Taylor. Since his judgment has served me so well in my three years as president, I find myself in the difficult position of having to accept his determination that a leave of absence is necessary in this instance. It is Secretary Taylor’s judgment that this measure is vital if we are to have a full and complete airing of the facts leading up to yesterday’s attack. In the interim, I have asked my national security advisor, Tim Hansen, to serve as both my national security advisor and the acting defense secretary while Secretary Taylor is on leave.

  “For those of you returning to Washington with me tonight, we have a busy several days ahead. I’ll be heading to Capitol Hill to brief the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, the Armed Services Committees, and the Intelligence Committees on the events of the last twenty-four hours. We will work in a bipartisan fashion to understand how an attack on the presidential traveling party could happen and how to make sure it never happens again.

  “As I mentioned before, Ms. Smith is fighting hard to join all of you back in those chairs. She will be moved to Germany first thing in the morning, where she will be met by her family and her loved ones.”

  Charlotte paused, and Melanie held her breath.

  “Those loved ones include Peter Kramer, my husband,” Charlotte said.

  Melanie thought the press would gasp, but they did not. She thought perhaps they’d missed it. She and Charlotte had discussed this possibility.

  “My husband, Peter Kramer, and Dale Smith are involved in a close personal relationship. I make the following request for their benefit, not mine. I ask that you respect their privacy during Dale’s recovery.

  “As an elected official, I owe you and the American people an explanation, and I promise you all that there will be a time and a place for us to have a discussion about my personal life if the American people so choose.

  “I want to say something tonight about families. We all do the best we can, and our failures are ours alone. As I said, there will be a time and a place for you to probe about my marriage, and I understand why it’s of interest to you and to the voters. I will be as candid as possible, at the appropriate time.

  “Now, I want to speak directly to the American people. When you elected me a little more than three years ago, you trusted me to protect you from threats to our security and threats to our economy. We had moved on from nine-eleven, but we’d healed in a way that left us more broken, in many ways, than before. I have worked every day in office to create economic opportunity for all Americans and to reward and welcome innovation and entrepreneurship. I have collaborated with members of both parties to strengthen the safety nets in this country for those who rely on them for the basic services that create a life of dignity. I have fought every day in office to make sure that the threat of terrorism never again touches our shores. I’ve worked every day to protect your families, and sometimes that’s been at the expense of my family.

  “I am often asked about the impact of a life in politics on a family. And a lot of politicians offer half-truths about what that impact really is. I am guilty of this. There is a stigma associated with having to admit that you’ve made sacrifices or tradeoffs, that you don’t really have it all. As a result, many of us in public life cobble together the image of ourselves that we think you demand of us. We hold up our perfect marriages and our perfect families, and we hope you believe those images. In many cases, the images match the reality.

  “Not mine. I have a wonderful husband, but he did not choose this public life. We have great kids, and you have all been very generous about granting them their privacy. I ask for your continued generosity toward my family during this difficult time. I am sorry for not being completely honest with all of you about my family, and I hope that you and your families will forgive me for that.

  “Finally, I want to say something about the people who keep me safe. They include some of the finest agents the United States Secret Service has ever produced. I owe them my life, on a normal day. This week, they went well above and beyond the call of duty, and to all of them, and their families, I am grateful. To the men and women of our military, we add to your burdens by coming here, but your performance yesterday was heroic. Thank you. To the doctors and nurses who work to heal our national treasures when they are injured, you have the gratitude of a nation. And to my entire White House staff and Cabinet, thank you for supporting me.

  “Before we leave here, I want to thank all of you for the risks you take every day to bring news about this important place to the American people and to people around the world.

  “Thank you for listening. God bless all the men and women who fight to keep us safe from harm. Good night.”

  The press was so stunned by Charlotte’s remarks that some of them joined the military personnel from the base who stood and applauded when Charlotte was done. Most of them caught themselves and sat back down to pound away furiously at their laptops. The television correspondents were breathless in their live reports, each outdoing the other to describe the speech as a “bombshell” or a “jaw dropper.” The troops who’d gathered to listen to Charlotte’s remarks lined up to take their pictures with the president. Melanie waded through the press scrum to find Charlotte.

  “How long have Peter and Dale been together?” one reporter asked her.

  “Was Roger fired?” shouted another.

  “Is she still running for reelection?” yelled another, while his cameraman panned to Melanie.

  Melanie politely brushed them all off. “The president gave all of you a great deal of information. We’ll take questions on the way home. Don’t miss the flight. We’re wheels up in twenty minutes,” she told them.

  She made her way to the holding room, where Charlotte was shaking hands and saying good-bye to the generals.

  “Let us know if you need anything from Washington,” she was saying to one of them when she saw Melanie. “Melanie, how’s it playing?” Charlotte asked.

  “I got an e-mail from Ralph, who said that the speaker and the Senate majority leader were both on the phone before the speech was over to say that they are thrilled that you’re coming up tomorrow to debrief them. And he thought the Roger language was artful enough to buy us a couple of days with Republicans, so I’d say it’s going over pretty well,” Melanie said.

  “And the news about Peter?” Charlotte asked.

  “I haven’t been able to watch any of the coverage from here, but I’m sure that’s all the chattering class is talking about,” she said.

  “I tell them about a crash that almost killed one of their colleagues and the resignation of the secretary of defense, and all they care about is who my husband is sleeping with?” Charlotte said.

  “Yep,” Melanie said.

  An aide came back to the hold room and told Charlotte and Melanie that it was time to board Air Force One.

  Once onboard, Charlotte and Melanie settled into the conference
room to discuss their next steps. It was getting late in Washington, so they made a few brief calls to key senators.

  “Yes, yes, I look forward to speaking to you about it when I come up tomorrow,” Charlotte was saying to the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Yes, thank you. Honesty is certainly the best policy, that’s right. Thanks for your kind words. Yes, my kids are fine, thanks so much. See you tomorrow,” Charlotte said, rolling her eyes.

  She covered the mouthpiece and leaned toward Melanie while the Air Force One operator connected another call.

  “Do these guys ever stop talking?” she asked.

  “Nope, that’s why we never send you up there,” Melanie said.

  “Are we going to bring the press up to talk off the record?” Charlotte asked.

  “Yes, I think it would be a good thing to do. Let them see that you’re not rattled, that we put everything out there, and we’re going to deal with this thing head-on.”

  “Whatever you say,” Charlotte said to Melanie, just as her call was connected to another senator. “Hi, Senator, how are you? Charlotte Kramer here. Yes, thank you. I thought honesty was the best policy. Yes, we’ll be on the Hill tomorrow. We’ll get to the bottom of it. I thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing you, too. Thanks, Senator. See you soon.”

  Charlotte hung up and sighed loudly.

  “Am I done yet?” Charlotte asked Melanie.

  “We should make a few more calls to the Hill before we bring the press up.”

  “How many is a few?”

  Melanie ignored that. “I’ll let the press call in their stories from Air Force One so we can manage the news cycle,” she said.

  Charlotte stood up. “I’m going try to reach Peter to see if he’s landed in Germany yet, and I want to check in with the kids,” she said.

  “I’ll be right here,” Melanie told her.

  Charlotte turned to leave the conference room for her private cabin. “Melanie, I’m sorry about not telling you about Peter and Dale.”

  Melanie didn’t look up. “Don’t worry about it,” Melanie said. “I should have figured it out.”

  “I’m just curious. Is that what the press was badgering you about before the trip?” Charlotte asked. “Is that what you were trying to ask me in the Rose Garden?”

  “Actually, no,” Melanie said, looking at Charlotte. “It was not.”

  Charlotte sat back down. “Then what were they asking about?” Charlotte said.

  Melanie stood up and closed the door to the conference room. “I guess this is as good a time as any to talk about it. Michael from the Dispatch has a source who claims to have photos and other information proving that you are having an affair.”

  “Me? With whom am I having this alleged affair? Let me know so I can enjoy it.” Charlotte laughed.

  “I don’t know. I couldn’t get it out of him, but he has a source who is almost ready to go on the record.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I’ve made a mess out of my marriage, but I’m not having an affair,” Charlotte protested.

  “Do you have any idea who would suggest that you are?” Melanie asked.

  “No, and I can’t believe Michael won’t just shut this down when you tell him it isn’t true.”

  “I know. That’s how it usually works.”

  Charlotte gave her a curious look. “Usually? Does this happen often?”

  “Not this specifically, but I get all sorts of crazy questions from serious reporters. You wouldn’t believe half the crap their editors make them run down. Or at least that’s what they say.”

  “Like what?” Charlotte asked.

  “Oh, let’s see, I get questions about whether you’re gay about once a month,” Melanie said, smiling as Charlotte gasped.

  “You’re kidding.”

  “And let’s see, I get questions about you and Roger sometimes,” Melanie continued.

  “Really?” Charlotte looked away.

  “Yeah, those are easy. I tell them that you and Stephanie are as close as can be and that you’ve always been friends with both Taylors, blah, blah, blah.”

  “Melanie,” Charlotte said, grabbing her arm.

  “What’s wrong?” Melanie said.

  “That could be Michael’s source.”

  “Who?” Melanie asked.

  “Stephanie.”

  “Why would she do that?” Melanie asked.

  “She’s been annoyed for months about all the travel Roger and I do together. She didn’t come to Camp David the last couple of times I invited them, and when I was there for dinner a few weeks ago, she was really distant. Roger didn’t think he’d be able to come on this trip because she didn’t want him coming over here again.”

  “So she’s pissed off, but that doesn’t mean she called Michael and made up a story about an affair.”

  “Maybe she doesn’t think she’s making it up,” Charlotte said, leaning back in the chair and looking out the window.

  “What are you talking about?” Melanie said.

  “I heard Roger on the phone recently. I heard him say, ‘You’re being paranoid and ridiculous.’ It had to be Stephanie. And then he pulled out of the trip when we were planning it last month because she found a lump in her breast, but when I asked about it the next time I saw him, he said that it had been a false alarm and that Stephanie was trying to get his attention. And the night before we left, I heard him on the phone with her. He hadn’t told her he was coming to Afghanistan this week. She found out from Dale.”

  “Dale wasn’t supposed to tell anyone,” Melanie said, indignant.

  “Considering the fact that we almost killed her, I don’t think she should get into any trouble for saying something to Stephanie. She assumed Stephanie knew.”

  “Do you think Roger knows what Stephanie is up to?” Melanie asked.

  “No way,” Charlotte said.

  Melanie sighed.

  “And he has enough problems,” Charlotte added.

  “Let me see if I can get Michael to kill the story. I’ll see if I can call his bluff on Stephanie.”

  “He should do that, don’t you think? Doesn’t his daughter work for you?” Charlotte said.

  “That won’t help us here. Listen, I need to ask you something. The photos and recordings—is there anything that could paint an unflattering picture?” Melanie asked.

  “I don’t know. I talk to Roger all the time. If she recorded our calls, she could splice it all together to paint a picture that raises questions. And photos—I mean, I’ve spent a lot of time with Roger. I swear to you, Melanie, I never slept with Roger, but we are, or were, close,” Charlotte said.

  “The worst-case scenario is that Stephanie alleges an affair, you and Roger deny it, and then, with her back up against the wall, she releases recordings of you guys and photos that depict an unprofessional relationship but no evidence of a sexual relationship, right?” Melanie said.

  “Yes. I suppose that’s about it. And if Roger wants to screw me over for the leave-of-absence trap I set for him at the press avail, he can join forces with his wife and really do a number on me,” Charlotte said, pressing her fingers into her temples.

  “That’s a risk, but for that to happen, Stephanie would have to confide in Roger, and there’s no indication that he’s in on this,” Melanie said.

  “True, but who knows what will happen now? Spouses have a way of banding together when the world turns against them,” Charlotte said.

  “I’m going to bring Michael in when we get back to Washington. I’ll get him to confirm Stephanie as his source, and then maybe you can come in and ask to speak to him alone about the Roger dynamic. Give him reason to suspect that Roger and Stephanie are trying to sabotage you. The best-case scenario is that this all dies a quiet death.”

  “Right. Roger is going to be raked over the coals by Congress. We don’t need to expose his wife’s Fatal Attraction streak. Let’s do whatever we need to do to kill the story,” Charlotte said.

  �
�I’ll call Michael first thing,” Melanie promised.

  “I’m sorry this hasn’t exactly turned out to be a dream job. I’m sure your time in the Martin administration was much more civilized,” Charlotte apologized.

  “Nah, there was always a crisis to be managed then, too,” she lied. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I couldn’t do it without you,” Charlotte said.

  “No, you could not,” Melanie said, smiling and writing down items on her to do list for when they landed in Washington.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Dale

  Dale woke up on the seventh day of her stay in Germany the same way she had the previous mornings. She started by reminding herself where she was. Then she ticked through the various injuries she had suffered. Finally, she took an inventory of the things that had changed in the days since she’d left Washington, D.C., for Afghanistan.

  First, the president of the United States liked her. Even before the crash, they had bonded. She was sure of it. Second, she had been sent up on Marine One so that the president could escape safely. Third, her relationship with Peter was out in the open.

  What she couldn’t figure out was why Peter was so furious at Charlotte, and it was a topic Peter wasn’t interested in discussing.

  She looked at him as he slept fitfully on a hospital bed they’d moved into her room for him. She knew the last few days had been hard on him. He worried about the kids and hated that he wasn’t with them. He worried about Charlotte’s political fate. And he worried about her. She reached out and smoothed his hair. He opened his eyes.

  “Was I sleeping?” he asked.

  “Yes. Go back to sleep.” She smiled.

  “No chance,” he said, yawning and rubbing the arm he’d been sleeping on.

  “Come up here with me. It’s more comfortable,” she offered, scooting to the side of her hospital bed.

  “That won’t be comfortable for you.”