"Zoey, honey stop crying. I know you're upset. So am I. And I'm angry that she wasn't properly supervised, but right now it is what it is. Leo is still making arrangements to get you home."
"Am I flying commercial?"
"I sincerely doubt it, but I don't know how they will get you home. Just be patient and I'm sure we'll know in a few hours. In the meantime, pack your things and your mother's and bring everything home, okay? No matter what time you arrive, I'll meet you."
"Dad, I doubt if they will let you out of the White House. That's okay. I'll wake you up when I get there. It'll probably be the middle of the night, what with the time change and everything. Oh, daddy, what are we going to do?" Zoey started crying again.
"Listen, you have to be strong. There are a lot of really intelligent people already looking for your mother and I have to believe she will be found very soon. And you have to have that kind of faith as well. You hear me?"
"I do."
"Okay. Now, do as I say. Pack your things and be ready to go at a moment's notice. I promise nothing will happen, and soon you will be back here and we'll be together. I promise. And I promise I will get your mother back soon as well."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too, pumpkin. I'll see you soon. Bye for now."
"Bye, Daddy."
Jed hung up the phone. He knew his youngest was upset. He was as well. But he had to be the strong one here. There was so much to do and many decisions to reach. His mind couldn't concentrate on worry over Zoey or Abbey. It had to be focused on getting each of them back safely. Nothing else would be acceptable.
"Mr. President?"
He hadn't heard Charlie come into the office. "Yes?"
"Time to go to the Rose Garden for the bill signing. Do you have your notes for your speech?"
"Yes. Thank you, Charlie. Charlie, come over here for a minute. I need to tell you something." Jed told him about London and the missing First Lady.
"I'm sorry. Mr. President. I hope she's found soon."
"Thank you, Charlie. I'm going need you to support Zoey when she gets home sometime later tonight. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, Sir. I can certainly do that. Anything I can do to help, I will."
"You're a good man, Charlie. Thank you very much."
In the meantime, Leo had finished informing the Senior Staff of the abduction and was talking with the American Ambassador to Great Britain.
"Leo, this is horrible. Of course, I will talk to all of the relevant agencies here and officially request their assistance. I understand Scotland Yard is already involved per request of the Secret Service, but I will contact MI6 and request their assistance. I feel they will be glad to assist in any way they can. Anything else?"
"Well, we might need a nearby military airfield tonight to fly Zoey Bartlet out if we can find a private jet with trans-oceanic capability."
"I will contact RAF headquarters to see what they can offer us. Again, I doubt there will be any problem."
"Okay, keep me informed."
"I will. Please give my best to the President."
"I will. Goodbye for now."
Leo hung up. He was dreading the next call, but Lord John Marbury would be an invaluable resource both for getting Zoey back to the United States and for checking in country resources. He knew absolutely everyone in Great Britain and had incredible contacts that few politicians had. The only problem for Leo was that he was a horrible person. But tough times required him to push his personal feelings aside and do what was best for his country.
He dialed the private number and waited through several rings for the phone to be picked up. Just as he was about to hang up, a familiar voice answered.
"Hello?"
"John, Leo McGarry calling from the White House."
"Yes, Gerald, glad to hear from you. How can I help you?"
Leo shivered involuntarily, but continued the conversation. He explained the reason for the call.
"I have some bad news, John. About three hours ago Abbey Bartlett was abducted from Wimbledon and we haven't heard from her abductors since. Complicating matters her youngest daughter, Zoey, was also at Wimbledon but is now safely secured in the London Hilton. We need to get her out of the country as soon as possible and was wondering if you knew of anyone with a jet that has transoceanic capability. Obviously, for security reasons, we don't want her to fly commercial."
"Oh Gerald, that's no problem. My private jet has that capability and I would graciously lend it to the President to get his daughter home. When and where should I have the plane ready for her?"
"The President would really appreciate that John. We are looking at RAF Northholt. Our Ambassador is contacting RAF headquarters for permission."
"Oh hell, no problem. I'll call up my buddy, Air Vice-Marshal Thompson and get you any permission you need. What time?"
"How about 11 pm?"
"Sounds fine. Who does he need to contact at the Embassy for arrangements?"
Leo gave him that information, relieved to know that Zoey would be transported secretly and safely back to the United States and arrive later tonight.
"Now, Gerald, tell me what I can do about Abigail. It's horrible about what happened and, if a group here in Great Britain is involved, I want to find them and get the First Lady back as soon as possible."
"We don't know anything yet. There wasn't much left in the way of clues, but any help you can give us, we certainly would appreciate it."
"Well, let me contact my sources and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Mrs. Bartlet is a first-class lady and I wouldn't want anything to happen to her. I admire her and the President, and I will do anything in my power to bring her back to him."
"Thank you, Lord John." Leo was using his title now. He was gaining respect for the man he had previously loathed. If Lord John got Abbey back safely, he might even like the man.