Chapter 14

"Abbey, are you ready to go?"

Abbey laughed. "I've been ready to go since all this happened. I can't wait for the official word from the doctor that I can at least put some weight on this leg. Even with crutches, I at least can get around a little better."

"Yes, ma'am." Catching Abbey's stare at her, Rebecca corrected herself. "I mean Abbey."

"Okay. Tell my agent outside I'm ready to go to the car."

Rebecca nodded and did as she was asked. It had been a fantastic three weeks but she knew her time here was more than halfway over. The First Lady was making rapid progress and in a few weeks there wouldn't be any reason for her to stay.

After they had made their way to the drive, an agent and Rebecca helped the petite First Lady out of the wheelchair and slid her into the back seat of the black suburban. Rebecca slid in next to her. Abbey raised the privacy window as she wanted to talk with Rebecca over some personal matters. The doors shut and the two car motorcade pulled away.

"Rebecca, when we get back I would like to have…"

The suburban suddenly stopped and Abbey, caught off balance, was thrown to the floor. "OW! That hurts. What the hell just occurred?"

"I don't know, ma'am. Here, let me help you get up."

As Rebecca was trying to get Abbey off the floor, the two back doors opened and two men wearing ski masks pushed themselves in, each holding an automatic pistol.

"Hey! What's going on?"

"You're coming with us."

Abbey looked at Rebecca who was shaking like a leaf. She placed her hand over the top of the aide's hand. "Be strong. They can't hurt us. Back-up will be here shortly." Turning back to the man leaning in her side of the car, she replied back. "What's wrong? Where is my agent?"

"Your agent is taking a nap. Now let's go. Rebecca, come with me." Abbey wondered how they had known her aides name. "Mrs. Bartlet, I want you as well."

"I can't leave this car without a wheelchair. See this damn cast?"

"Then we'll lift you out." Abbey tried to resist but two more masked men appeared and easily pulled her out of the car and roughly threw her in the back of a windowless van. Rebecca followed her.

"Hands behind your back, NOW!"

Rebecca was too scared not to comply right away. When Abbey didn't respond, they jerked her arms and tied her hands behind her. "Cooperate and it'll be a whole lot easier." Abbey could only hope that help would soon be on its way.

They slammed the back doors and within seconds the two vehicles, the van and DC police car sped through the streets of Washington to their final destination.

Abbey and Rebecca were quiet during the trip. But Abbey was curious as to how the kidnappers knew Rebecca's name.

Suddenly, the van stopped. The back doors were quickly opened. Abbey heard Rebecca scream, "Ed!"

"You know this man?"

"He's my husband."