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CHAPTER 25 – Danny Green

"How long will it take for the escort to arrive?" Gregory Samuels asked from his seat at the head of the conference table. As Danny had assumed, the house was equipped with the most up-to-date telecommunications equipment, and it had taken less than an hour to set up a video conference with President Michener and Admiral Chandler. Normally Alisha would have handled the link, but she had disappeared somewhere with Sarah and Danny hadn't wanted to bother her. Fortunately, the Senator's aide Ethan had been more than capable of hooking them up to the satellite, causing Danny to wonder whether these people really were as isolated as they claimed.

"No more than two to three days," Admiral Chandler responded.

"We're less than a day's drive from Chicago. Why so long?" Senator Hansen questioned.

"It will take some time to clear the road of snow and other obstacles," Admiral Chandler replied.

"I see no need to go to so much effort," Gregory Samuels objected. "Your people got through. We can as well."

Danny fought a frown, envying Carlton's ability to keep his face impassive. "I recommend against that, sirs. The road condition between here and Chicago is extremely poor. The road is blocked by downed trees in a number of places and obviously the snow is a concern. We were able to move the obstacles or find an alternative route on the way here, but there is no guaranty that the return trip will go as smoothly. These are not weather conditions where we want to be stuck outside, especially with children."

Gregory Samuels raised an eyebrow. "I grew up in Illinois, son, I know all about the weather. We have four-wheel drive and chains. We will have no problem getting through."

Danny wasn't sure how much his instant dislike of Gregory Samuels had to do with the fact that, prior to the virus, he had been forced to listen to both his mother and Caro rail against the man for his views on women's rights and other social issues, and how much was due to the fact that the man was a pretentious ass. Danny didn't follow politics closely. He voted regularly, but mostly out of habit, his parents having drilled into him from a young age that it was his civic responsibility to do so. Still, Danny knew (again from his mother and sister) that Senator Hansen had a reputation for being extremely liberal on social issues. Apparently global pandemics made for strange political bedfellows.

"With all due respect sir, I have to concur with Lieutenant Green. He and Lieutenant Burk have spent a great deal of time traveling over the past several weeks and are in the best position to know the condition of the roads." Even though Danny knew he was going to lose this argument, he appreciated Admiral Chandler's support. "What I would suggest, Mr. Samuels, is that you allow my team to escort you and Senator Hansen, along with appropriate security, to Chicago where Colonel Browder can arrange an escort to St. Louis. The remainder of your people can join you after the roads are cleared."

"That is unacceptable," Gregory Samuels responded and Danny wondered whether it was the Admiral's suggestion or the use of the phrase 'Mr. Samuels' that had triggered the heated response. "I understand your concern about the children being outside in the cold, and will agree that anyone under the age of eighteen can remain at the house under the care of their teachers for the present. But we need every surviving member of Congress, with their support personnel, in St. Louis as soon as possible. As far as you know were there any other survivors from Washington?"

In other words, Danny thought cynically, Samuels was unwilling to go to St. Louis without his political base. Perhaps he was more concerned about Michener than he was letting on. At least, Samuels had been willing to accept some compromise, agreeing to allow the children to stay here until it was safe to move them.

President Michener answered the question. "We have located fifteen surviving members of the House and two senators, other than those with you, Gregory. We had actually hoped to hold a national election in the next few months to select new representatives. That is something we can discuss in more detail once you arrive in St. Louis. It appears that there may be another decision for the citizens of this nation to make sooner rather than later."

And there it was – the elephant in the room. To the people living in this house, Gregory Samuels was the president. But to the rest of the nation, the man filling that role was Jeffrey Michener. If Samuels and Michener agreed to a new election, they could possibly avoid any complications that arose from competing claims to the presidency. Still, the logistics of arranging an election in a country that was still reeling from food and medical shortages, as well as a facing the lack of local and state leadership, were staggering. And that assumed Samuels was willing to agree to an election in the first place (something that presumably would put Michener, as the incumbent, in a more favorable position), rather than challenge his presidency by other means.

"And we will coordinate with Colonel Browder to have a team from Chicago head in your direction to provide assistance." Admiral Chandler looked towards Danny. "Green, before you go, a word."

"Yes sir." Danny moved closer to the camera, which had been positioned before Gregory Samuels, feeling vaguely uneasy. These chats with the Admiral never ended in good news.

"We finished interrogating the man who broke into your house," Admiral Chandler began, as though he had not already told Danny this information five days ago in Chicago. "Apparently the home previously belonged to his parents and when he saw the lights he assumed that they were alive. As best as we can tell his story checks out, but we've decided to put a security detail on your house anyway. Never hurts to take precautions."

Admiral Chandler looked directly at Danny as he spoke – his message clear. This wasn't about Neil Shaw. This was about Gregory Samuels, and Danny apparently was not the only one the man had rubbed the wrong way.

"I appreciate that. Thank you, sir."

As soon as the video feed closed, Senator Hansen turned to Danny with what appeared to be genuine concern. "There was a break-in at your house? Was anyone harmed?"

"No, fortunately everyone is fine," Danny replied. "I have the benefit of living on a street populated by military personnel and the response was immediate."

Carlton cracked a smile. "Actually, the burglar was lucky he got caught before he entered the house. Green's wife grew up in Kansas. She can shoot the nipples off a chicken at a thousand yards."

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As they entered the large dining room, Danny could see the guys standing together by the windows, their BDUs looking utterly out of place in the formal dining room. Not that it was set for a sit-down dinner. Instead it had been arranged buffet-style, with large platters of each dish set on the table, allowing people to load their plates before heading elsewhere to actually eat. Still, the people milling around the room were dressed in suits and dresses, the plates were a grade higher than the ones at the cafeteria on base, and, rather than Navy blue, the wait staff wore more formal black uniforms.

Not what any of them had been expecting to find when they left Norfolk.

Danny and Carlton had just joined the team when Alisha entered from another door, Sarah clinging to her arm. After a huddled discussion, the two women headed in their direction.

"Guys," Alisha said as they reached the group. "This is Sarah Hansen."

As Alisha finished introducing Sarah to everyone, Tex gave a sharp whistle.

"That is some sparkler."

Sarah's lips pursed at the sound, and Danny could tell instantly that she was not impressed by the cat call. Alisha obviously reached the same conclusion. "I had picked out the ring before we left for the Arctic. Sarah found it when she was looking for clues to where I was and brought it here."

Danny choked on the words that had been on the tip of his tongue, unsure whether Alisha and Sarah were actually engaged and he should be offering congratulations, or if Sarah was wearing the ring for some other reason he didn't understand.

Fortunately, Wolf was not so confused. "It's a beautiful ring and it looks lovely on your hand, Miss Hansen. Congratulations to you and Lieutenant Granderson."

A few minutes of well-wishes later, Danny extracted Alisha from the group and pulled her slightly to the side. "Engaged, huh?"

"I told her about Val. She doesn't care." Alisha crossed her arms across her chest defensively. Danny knew he was not the most sensitive guy, his sister had reminded him of that fact enough times, but even he could tell that Alisha did not want to discuss the topic further.

"Sarah seems nice. Kara will be excited when she finds out. She'll probably want to throw some kind of party. Introduce Sarah to everybody."

"That sounds fun," Alisha replied, but her enthusiasm sounded forced.

Making a mental note to ask Kara about Alisha's strangely subdued behavior, Danny got down to the real reason he had pulled Alisha aside. Glancing around to make sure they would not be overheard, he lowered his voice. "Anything around here feel off to you?"

"Why?" Alisha straightened, her eyes darting around the room. "Did you see something?"

"No, no, nothing specific," Danny hastened to reassure her. "Admiral Chandler wants us to discretely check things out. I'm going to send the guys to do a little reconnaissance outside but I can't exactly wander the halls without attracting a lot of unwelcome attention. Thought you might have some insight. After all, you know these people."

Alisha seemed to relax a smidgen at Danny's hurried explanation. "I've been with Sarah all afternoon. I can ask her to give you a tour later if you want."

"Perfect." Danny stepped to the side as a waiter rushed by with another heaping platter of food. "The way these people are acting, you would think we were at one of those English house parties in that movie you and Kara like so much."

Alisha followed his gaze, a corner of her mouth quirking. "You mean Pride and Prejudice? Washington is a different world, Danny."

"Yeah, a world of pompous asses," Danny muttered.

Alisha snorted. "Samuel's made a good impression, did he? My mother hated his guts." A strange look passed over Alisha's face as she realized what she had said. After a few seconds pause, she continued. "Gregory Samuels comes from old money, Senator Hansen does too. People like that don't go anywhere without their staff. Sarah's family has a housekeeper, as well as an aide and a personal assistant for the Senator. Oh, and there was a caretaker who lived here full-time to take care of things while the family was out of town."

"Must be nice."

"Would you think it was better if they left these people behind in Washington? They would probably be dead right now," Alisha pointed out. "They might be stuck cooking for a pompous ass, but at least they are alive. Not everyone would have rewarded such loyalty."

Amy Granderson certainly had not; kicking anyone who was no longer useful out of her utopia.

"And what are the two of you over here whispering about," Sarah asked playfully.

Danny smiled his best charming smile, the one he used regularly on Kara, but it appeared to have no effect on Sarah. "I was just telling Alisha that Kara will undoubtedly want to throw the two of you an engagement party."

Sarah seemed puzzled. "Kara? Oh, she was Alisha's roommate from the ship. That's a lovely idea. Does she live in St. Louis?"

"No, in Norfolk," Danny replied, casting a side glance at Alisha. "Where the Nathan James is based out of."

"Oh yes, of course. I wasn't thinking. St. Louis is where the new capital is," Sarah said.

"Danny also asked if you could give him a tour later. He has always had an interest in architecture," Alisha added.

Danny was caught off guard by the blatant lie, and the fact that Alisha had just told the whopper to her brand new fiancé, quickly racking his brain for what he could recall from the architectural digest magazines that Frankie was always leaving all over their apartment. "The design is rather unique. Is it Scandinavian inspired?"

He mentally crossed his fingers, hoping that what he had just said made some sense.

Apparently it did because Sarah smiled at him approvingly. "It's Swedish. I'd be happy to give you a tour. Just let me know when you are finished with your meetings and I will show you around."

"Thank you." Danny gave Alisha a nod of thanks.

Sarah looped her arm through Alisha's, tugging lightly. "Anyway Alisha, we should go talk to my father and Adam. Tell him our news."

"Of course." Alisha turned back to Danny. "I'll catch up with you later. I'm curious to find out how your afternoon went too."