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Chapter 34 – It just did

Elizabeth was in her SUV leaving her face the nation interview, she was overcome with emotion, her staff was talking to her about how the optics were looking but she had one thought only: Henry. She was exhausted and wanted to head home, her SUV was doing the rounds and dropping Nadine and Blake home before her.

'You done really well Madam Secretary' Nadine smiled at her boss

'Thanks, that was tougher than I imagined' she acknowledged

'You need to get home have hot bath, a Chinese and wine' Blake ordered causing the girls to laugh

'Blake you're my hero' she laughed at him.

'I'm am so tired, it's been such a long day, what is the time?' Elizabeth asked

'10.15pm' Blake called before answering the phone and looked at Elizabeth with concern

'whatever it is I don't think I want to know' Elizabeth moaned as Blake took a call

'Mam, its Russell Jackson' He said holding the phone out for her to take

'Surely this day cannot get any worse' She sighed

'It just did' Blake replied with a serious look

'Mam please' he urged her to take the phone

'Hi Russell'

'Bess situation room now, like now' He stressed and hung up.

'White house Frank' Blake shouted

'what did Russell say to you?' she quizzed Blake

'Please don't, you know I cannot lie' He groaned, as Nadine's phone went off in the background, it was a news alert.

'Blake?' she asked him sternly

'Mam please' he begged as Nadine looked between the two

'Will one of you tell me what the hell is going on' she snapped

'Urm, Madam Secretary, there has been a bomb' Nadine started and the colour drained from Elizabeth's face

'Henry?' she whispered looking for confirmation it was nothing to do with him in her staff's face, nothing.

'Oh my, show me' she gasped

'I think we need to wait, were pulling into the white house now' Nadine alerted them, before the SUV was stopped Elizabeth got out and ran to the situation room as fast as she could, Blake hot on her heels

She swung the door open and looked at Conrad who dipped his head immediately. She looked to Russell who had his hands stretched out holding onto the back of the chair, his head also dipped.

Everyone in the room silent; Blake stood at the door behind her, watching the scene unfold.

'Someone speak' she mumbled

'Syria, they were tipped off, they knew the team were going, 4 bombs were set off... all men and women from our team are...they're...' the General trailed off

'All presumed dead Elizabeth' Russell finished with a heavy tone

The blood pounded in her ears. Her heart thudded in her chest. Her hands shook. Her feet tingled. Her vision disfigured, She had to get away. She couldn't move. There was too many faces looking at her. She couldn't breathe. Her Breathing was hard. Really hard. As if she'd just run the Marathon. She felt the colour drain from her face. She felt cold. Numb 'All presumed dead'. She let out a little sob. Conrad got up to hold her. She cried harder, her chest growing tight as bile rose in her throat. She stepped out of the room and into the bathroom. She was sick, and again, and again. She sobbed, salty tears dripping off her cheeks. She fell back onto her bum, she threw her head against the toilet cubical wall. Her eyes were heavy.

Henry is presumed dead.

How could this be happening?

She reached for her phone, dialled his number... the phone didn't even ring out.

She let out a hysterical cry. Nadine entered to find her in mass hysteria. Nadine closed her eyes as Elizabeth's screams echoed through her body. Her phone dropped to the floor and Nadine seen it;

Spread across the screen, the news alert 'Dr Henry McCord and team Dead in Syria Bombings' with pictures. Detailed, graphic pictures of limbs, blood, fire, ashes.

'Elizabeth' Nadine spoke, she didn't feel the need for professionalism right now. Elizabeth looked at her, distraught

'We should get you home' she extended her arm and Elizabeth stood up, she splashed her face and swilled her mouth with water. She looked emotional, but she didn't care right now. Following Nadine out of the bathroom, she was greeted by Blake, Fred and Frank who all stood in silence

'Let's get the Secretary home' Nadine spoke

'No' Elizabeth walked back into the situation room and sat down

'So what is the plan' she asked, knowing the USA would take action back after all American lives were taken.

'Not appropriate Bess' Conrad placed a hand on her shoulder

'Sir it's my job, foreign relationships are my thing, now we need to confirm all fatalities and work a plan of action, this is an act of war' she looked at him with a harsh look, Conrad backed down

'You heard her, confirm fatalities' He agreed

'I'll reach out to the Syrian embassy' she stood up

'Is that wise?' Russell stopped her but Conrad shook his head

'Let her go' He knew she needed to do this.

'Bess from the white house please, you could be a target now' He warned and she nodded

'Thank you Sir'