THE 13: STAND BOOK TWO

by ROBBIE CHEUVRONT

  “Okay.”

  Keene folded his hands and let his forehead rest against his knuckles. He was about to start when he heard an EMT yelling. His heart plummeted into his stomach.

  “We’re losing her! We’re losing her! Quick—get those paddles charged. I need to hit her right away!”

  PART 3: STAND

  CHAPTER 39

  Washington, DC

  President Walker strode through the hallway of the White House with an air of confidence. He had spent almost four hours with President Grant last night. Together the two of them had written what, he thought, was the best speech either of them had ever given. He couldn’t wait till this afternoon to address the American people.

  It was good seeing Calvin last night, he thought. The man was as alert and full of energy as he’d ever been. They spent almost the entire first hour of their meeting just catching up on the events of the last four months. The next three, though, were all business. Walker had shared with Grant what he intended the speech to be. Grant had patted him on the shoulder and said he couldn’t think of anything more important that this country needed right now. Three hours later, the speech was finished.

  Initially, Walker was going to give the speech as a radio address. But after spending time with Grant, he had decided to alert the television media. Though there were still some challenges with broadcasting, most of the cable outlets had worked tirelessly to get their stations back on line. Most coverage was news related anyway, except for reruns of previously recorded shows whose film hadn’t been destroyed. Since satellite providers had been the least affected, cable companies and satellite providers had struck a temporary deal—for the good of the nation, if you asked them, but mostly because Walker had signed an executive order demanding it—and were sharing technology, in order that news could be viewed across what was left of the country. Walker had let it be known that he wished to have airtime on every station at five o’clock sharp. And that he was going to give the speech on the steps of the Capitol. The same place where the attempt had been made on President Grant.

  He walked into the Oval Office and found the first party of his first meeting of the day waiting for him—Secretary of the Navy Bob Sykes. Since the invasion, he, Sykes, and Jennings had kept a biweekly meeting. With the governmental structure all but in shambles, the three of them had been pretty much running the country.

  “Bob…”

  “Mr. President.”

  “What’s going on today?”

  “Continuing on with current operations, sir. Admiral Benbrough—with the Royal Navy—and I have been trying to lay the foundation for how they’re going to move back to the United Kingdom. I think we’ve both agreed that a UK presence here for a while would not only be appreciated, but necessary. At least until we get our infrastructure back up to par.”

  “I agree. Make sure Benbrough knows how much we appreciate all his efforts. And I will make sure I call Prime Minister Bungard and young William and thank them for their public support.” Walker looked around the room. “Where’s Jennings?”

  Sykes grimaced and gestured to his chair, behind the desk. “Why don’t we sit down for a moment, sir.”

  Walker took his seat and waited for the secretary to continue.

  “Mr. President, last night, Jon Keene and Boz Hamilton took a G-5 to Raleigh. You know already that Jennings had Megan Taylor and Eli Craig looking into this rumor about someone stirring up trouble with the Chinese. I know Jennings has briefed you a little bit.”

  Walker nodded.

  “Last night, when Keene and Boz got there, they found Taylor and Craig at Judge Milton Hayes’s home. Apparently, gunfire had been exchanged and Taylor and Craig caught the bad end of it.”

  Walker sat up in his chair. “Are they all right?”

  “Last I heard, they were both in critical condition. But they’re alive. Jennings is there now. Soon as either of them wakes up, we’ll know what went down. All we know right now is they were shot. Judge Hayes was found upstairs in his room. Two shots to the head.”

  “So we don’t know anything yet.”

  “Not much. But I think it’s important that we all be on extra alert right now. Whatever Taylor and Craig uncovered got Hayes killed.”

  Walker sat back in his chair again. He folded his hands together and rested them under his chin. “This speech I’m giving today…it’s going to stir a hornet’s nest. I know the majority of the people are in agreement with me. But I have my opponents, too. They’re not going to be a big fan of what I’m proposing.”

  “I spoke with Jennings earlier. He’s in touch with the head of Secret Service and your detail. He’s making sure we don’t have a repeat of what happened with President Grant.” Then, “Mr. President, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, at the Capitol?”

  “Absolutely. I want this thing out in full public. The rest of the country needs to see people there, supporting what I’m talking about. And I’d like you and Jennings there beside me.”

  “Yes, sir. I think that would be good.”

  Walker stood up. “Thanks, Bob. I’ll see you in a couple hours.”

  CHAPTER 40

  Keene grabbed the doctor’s arm as he exited Megan’s room. “Any change, Doc?”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Keene. Not yet.”

  Keene had stood outside Megan’s door since they’d arrived from Andrews Air Force Base. He hadn’t slept. Hadn’t showered. Hadn’t even eaten since getting back. All he could think about was everything he wanted to say to her. And that he might not ever get the chance.

  Boz had tried to get him to come away and sit in the lobby or go get something to eat. But Keene was having none of it. He felt as though it was his fault she was even lying in there, fighting for her life. He should’ve left for Raleigh the minute he and Boz got back to Washington.

  He’d thought about her every day while he was gone. If he had to be honest, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. It was one of the only things that kept him going. And that was something he hadn’t dealt with since he’d met his wife. His wife had completely destroyed any attempt he’d made at trying to be cool. No matter how deadly an operative he’d become, no matter how hard he tried to appear suave and debonair to those around him, she could see right through him. When she died, he thought he’d never look at another woman that way. And then he met Megan. He remembered the first time he met her. She had marched into President Grant’s office and stuck her hand out to shake his. He had underestimated her grip. Before he knew it, his knuckles were crunching against themselves. He remembered thinking, This woman is going to be a pain in my—

  “Jon.”

  He looked up to see Boz coming back down the hall at him. “Yeah? What’s up?”

  “Any change?”

  “None yet. Eli?”

  “Same.”

  They both stood there for a second in silence. Finally Boz said, “We need to go. Walker is going to give a speech on the steps of the Capitol in about an hour. Jennings wants us there.”

  “Yeah, I heard. I guess he’s not worried about what happened with President Grant.”

  “Guess not. Anyway, I think it’ll be fine. Jennings has Secret Service and every fed he can find stationed every three feet for six square blocks.”

  Keene halfheartedly laughed. “You know what they say about assumptions.”

  Boz shrugged. “Yeah, well, that’s why we’re going.”

  Keene turned and grabbed the knob on Megan’s door. “Give me a second. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

  Boz said okay and left again.

  Keene entered the room and sat in a small chair beside Megan’s bed. She had tubes and wires protruding from her body. She had a breathing mask on, which led to a ventilator next to the bed. The little plunger rose and fell every couple of seconds inside the tube, helping her breathe. He reached out and held her hand and rested his head on the bed rail.

  “Megan, I’m so sorry this has happened to you. I should’ve been there. I sho
uld’ve come to Raleigh the second we got back. I shouldn’t have let Jennings keep me here.” He reached up and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I promise you, though, Boz and I are going to finish this. Sokolov will pay for everything she’s done. You just stay here and get better, you hear?” He let go of her hand and stood up. “I have to go now. But I’ll be back. I promise.”

  He looked at her for a few more seconds then turned to leave. The door to her room opened up and her doctor came in.

  “Mr. Keene, you can’t be in here. I’m sorry.”

  “I was just leaving.” He brushed past the doctor as he moved toward the door. He turned and grabbed the doctor’s arm. “Hey, don’t you let her die.”

  “We’re doing everything we can, Mr. Keene. I promise.”

  “You just make sure that you do. Because if you don’t”—he drilled the doctor with a hard stare—“you’ll have me to deal with.”

  Boz was waiting for him in the lobby. They got in the car and headed south toward the Capitol. The speech was scheduled to start in forty minutes.

  They badged their way through the checkpoints and the guards all the way to Capitol Hill. One of the Secret Service agents directed them to pull their car behind the Capitol building.

  “It’s like déjà vu,” Keene said.

  “Yeah, let’s just hope this one turns out differently than the last one.”

  “Roger that.”

  Making the turn, another guard motioned them along and pointed for them to park in the grass up next to an entrance. Jennings was waiting for them as they got out of the car.

  “All right, guys. Walker is in the rotunda. We’ve swept the perimeter at least a hundred times. I’ve got agents from every department you can think of covering about five and a half square blocks.”

  Keene shook his head. “I don’t care, Kevin. This is still a stupid idea.”

  Jennings shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Walker wasn’t taking no for an answer. So I want the two of you within ten feet of him at all times. Got it?”

  They both nodded.

  “Good. Then let’s go.”

  Governor Joe Nolan moved through the crowd, shaking hands and making pleasantries with the other senators and congressmen who were in attendance for the president’s speech. He had made the trip earlier this morning, ready to launch the initial phase of what Pemberton had dubbed The Uprising.

  Even with all the communication woes the country was still facing, word had leaked about the content of Walker’s speech, and the press was frothing at the mouth out on the steps. They have no idea the story they will have to run with tonight, Nolan thought.

  The CIA director, Jennings, who he had seen standing next to Walker all this time, shouted above the noise that had risen in the rotunda and asked for everyone’s attention.

  “All right, everyone. Here’s how this is going to work. All of you”—he pointed to the crowd—“are going to go through that door over there. When you get outside, please take a seat on either side of the podium. Remember, there are people on the steps. The press is here, and so are some citizens. President Walker has invited them to be his guests. So watch your mouths, unless you want to be quoted saying something you’re going to regret tomorrow. Let’s move.”

  The governor laughed to himself. Regret? He wasn’t going to regret anything he was about to say. He was counting on being quoted!

  He did, however, have a different idea about where he wanted to be for all of this. The fact that there were citizens on the steps gave him the idea. What better way to stand in opposition of the president than to stand with the people of this nation—among them, representing them. He stuck his hands in his coat pockets and followed the line outside.

  Keene stood next to Boz and Jennings alongside the president, as the line of congressmen and senators passed by. He really didn’t like any of them for a threat, but after what they’d been through, he didn’t want to take anything for granted, either. But something did catch his eye, about halfway through the procession. He leaned over to Boz.

  “Hey, you know who that is?”

  “Who?” Boz scanned the line back and forth.

  “There, standing beside Nora Redding, the senator from North Carolina.”

  “I don’t know, her husband?”

  “No,” Keene said hesitantly. “That’s Governor Nolan. Also of North Carolina.”

  Boz’s eyes shifted toward him. “First of all, how do you know who the governor of North Carolina is? And secondly, why do I all of a sudden not like that?”

  Keene’s eyes narrowed as he watched the senator and governor from North Carolina pass by them. “I’m a history buff. I just know stupid random things like…who the governors of states are. And…you don’t like it, because I don’t like it, either. Too much of a coincidence that Megan and Eli are in a bed fighting for their lives because of what they were investigating in his state.”

  “And I told you before,” Boz said, “I don’t believe in coincidences.”

  Keene watched as the governor disappeared through the doorway. “Yeah. Me either. Let’s go talk to him.” He started to move when Jennings caught his arm.

  “No, let’s don’t.”

  Keene shot him a look. “And why not?”

  “Because you two are supposed to be focused on Walker. That’s where I want you. Now, let’s move. The president is ready to go.”

  Jennings turned back to the president. Keene leaned into Boz. “Soon as we get out there, you find where he’s sitting. If I see first, I’ll give you a heads-up. Either way, I want to know where that man is at all times.”

  “Roger that.”

  CHAPTER 41

  President Walker tried to gather his thoughts one last time before heading out onto the steps. The line of senators and congressmen had almost disappeared out the door now. They would be moving any minute. He turned to see that Jennings had stepped away for a second, talking to Keene and Boz. Jennings patted Keene on the shoulder as Keene and Boz began to move toward the doorway. Jennings turned back to him.

  “Sorry about that, sir. Just some last-minute clarifications. You ready?”

  Walker was ready, but there was something he wanted to do first. “Ah, Mr. Hamilton…may I see you for a moment. Before you take your post?” Then to Jennings, “You and Keene go ahead. I’ll come out with Boz.”

  Jennings gave a quick nod and turned to join Keene as Boz came near.

  “Yes, Mr. President?”

  “I wanted to share something with you that I thought you’d appreciate.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I spent the evening with Calvin last night. He’s doing remarkably well.”

  “Yes, sir. I saw him today at Bethesda—while I was visiting Eli and Megan.”

  Walker silently chastised himself. “Oh, that’s right. I’m very sorry to hear about what happened with them. Any word?”

  Boz shook his head. “No, sir. Not yet.”

  Walker reached his hand out to Boz’s shoulder. “I know I don’t have to tell you this, but God has it under control. I will continue to pray for them.” He gave Boz’s shoulder a final squeeze and let go. “Well, if you spoke with Calvin, you are aware of what I’m about to go out there and say.”

  “Yes, sir. I am. I think it’s something that has been a long time coming.”

  Walker looked at his watch. “Then we better not keep them waiting any longer.” He extended his hand. “After you.”

  Walker followed Boz through the door and outside onto the steps. A podium was fixed in the center of the steps. Members of Congress sat on either side, while hundreds of reporters and civilians lined the steps below. Walker stepped up to the bank of microphones and waited for the crowd to settle.

  “Ladies and gentlemen…members of Congress…good evening. I want to thank you all for coming. Typically, I would be addressing all of you via my biweekly radio address. However, I felt I would like to make this a little more public. Besides, God has favored us with unseason
ably beautiful weather for this time of year. I would hate to waste it!” Small bits of laughter and applause spread through the crowd. “I’m going to get right to the point. So please forgive me for not following typical political protocol and wasting your time.” Again the laughter rose above the crowd. Once it settled, he continued.

  “These past weeks and months have left our country in a new place. We are not used to being in a position of vulnerability. And yet this is where we find ourselves. America has always been the trailblazer. We’ve always helped to dictate what comes next. Both here at home and abroad. And while the incredible people of this country continue to try and put the pieces back together and find a way to move on, many of us are still wondering, where do we go from here?

  “I’d like to encourage everyone here today. All of you are aware of the man who calls himself the Prophet.” He paused as the mention of Quinn Harrington brought murmurs throughout the crowd. He held his hands. “The Prophet has been in contact with us recently.”

  Immediately an uneasiness settled over the crowd. The last time a president addressed the public and the Prophet had been mentioned, the Chinese had become their new neighbors.

  “Ladies and gentlemen…please…as I said before. I bring encouragement today.” That seemed to help quiet the crowd. “The Prophet has assured me—us—that God has decided to allow the United States to remain.”

  Immediately, a smattering of applause and cheers rose up from the crowd. Some even started chanting, “U–S–A! U–S–A!” Again Walker held his hands up to quiet the crowd.

  “This is truly good news, friends. We should be grateful and humbled. And we should celebrate.” Again, a small applause. “But we should also beware. God has given us an opportunity to do as He has instructed us to do—repent, as a nation. Now, I know that many of you have individually experienced major changes within your lives and your families’ lives. And that is a wonderful thing! I’m encouraged, each and every day, as I hear stories from many of you about how this event has brought you closer to God, or has caused you to see God for the first time. And I look forward to many, many more.