Greetings from Florida! Where I live is frozen right now so I'm happy to be here! I hope this makes sense.
Chapter Fourteen:
"I will not have a veteran as a prop for my speech," Miranda said on Thursday. "I'll let my stories stand on their own tonight."
"You do have people willing and eager, Ma'am" a staffer said.
"I have made up my mind and I'm not interested in making any more alterations to the speech."
"Yes. Ma'am."
"That will, be all," she said.
Her staff got up and left. Miranda carefully watched them. She kept wondering how many other traitors were among them.
Once everyone left, Miranda buzzed Annabeth.
"Send in Secretary Snyder," she said.
William Snyder appeared as imposing as ever. Part of her still wanted to hesitate when he appeared. But that feeling had lessened slightly in recent cabinet visits.
"Ma'am," he said.
"Will," she said with a smile.
She gestured for him to sit.
"Looking forward to your first trip to Europe?" she asked as they sat down.
"It promises to be interesting," he said. "I look forward to representing the US interests abroad."
"I have no doubt you will do a great job," she said.
"Thank you, Ma'am but I think we both know that this isn't about my trip."
"I miss our little talks where we get straight to the point about everything," Miranda said. "Everyone couches their words in pleasantries around here."
"You're living in a whole new world," he said. "So, what's on your mind?"
"There are at least two traitors on my staff," she said. "One I know the name of and is fairly harmless in the grand scheme of things. The other is playing mind games with me."
"The drill that wasn't a drill," he said.
Miranda didn't say anything.
"I see," he said. "And you've come to me because you don't trust your other confidantes?"
"It is not a matter of trust so much as I need a new perspective," she said.
"So, what do you think is the central problem?"
"Faith," she said. "Faith in my abilities to lead."
"There are no reasons to doubt your abilities, Ma'am" Snyder said.
"Let's be honest, Will. The only reason I am in this office is because is because I didn't lose my cool when Lang expected me to."
"You would have won easily in an open race," he said. "You're perfectly qualified for the job."
"But the problem remains," Miranda said. "How do I get the traitor and neutralize the threat?"
"Another trip to Camp David?" Snyder mused.
"I wish," she said.
"It is also a great place to hide a body."
"I didn't invite you over to be funny," Miranda said.
"Well you know me well enough Mir-Ma'am to know that I let other people do my dirty work. It's easier and you have a certain degree of deniability. Maybe you should let some other people in on the loop."
Miranda didn't say anything.
"You really don't trust anyone, do you?"
She remained quiet.
"This has something to do with your husband, doesn't it?" Snyder said.
"Am I that transparent?"
"Ma'am you have access to the nuclear launch codes, but you are more protective of your kids and your husband than anything on this planet."
"My husband isn't my weak spot," she said.
"Your husband has been through a lot and has many exploitable aspects. Your husband isn't your weak spot, he's your pressure point."
"So, what is the goal of hitting my pressure point?"
"Distraction, alienation of staff, and just making your life difficult," he said.
"What do I do, Will?" she asked.
"Business as usual and let Thing One and Thing Two handle the staff traitor. See what happens after that."
"Thanks Will," she said.
"And inform your husband about the threat, he has a right know," he said.
"I'll consider it."
She stood up.
"This was a nice conversation," she said.
Snyder stood up also. "Don't let this derail your first hundred days Ma'am. You're too good for it."
"I won't," she said.
…
Miranda took a deep breath waited for her name to be called. It was her first big nationally televised speech. She felt nervous but refused to let it show.
Her name was call and roar of applause followed. She began to walk and once again felt the weight of the presidency. Miranda glanced at her husband and he gave her an assuring smile.
She climbed to the podium and shook hands with the Speaker of the House and Gomez. As she waited for the teleprompter to load she noticed a piece of paper on the podium with a picture.
It was of Reid sitting in the gallery and staring at the prison walls. There was a message in messy hand writing underneath it.
"He should have stayed there."
Miranda took a deep breath and remembered what Snyder said about calling Reid her pressure point. She would not fail. She would not be defeated.
"Good Evening!" she said in voice slightly louder than usual. "It my honor to speak tonight about my vision for America and how we can accomplish it together!"
She turned the paper over. It was time to be brave.