Part 10
"Why Abbey? Why my wife?" Jed bellowed out.
"You know how lucky I felt?" Richard changed the subject. "When I got the call saying you were coming in." He laughed at the irony. "Your wife made the appointment herself and it got her killed."
Jed cringed. Richard's laugh cut to the very core of his being.
"I could not believe it. Of course I am an orthopaedist and your wife knew I had some newly developed therapies that relieve back pain, but still... Good thing I had that chip in my desk, eh?" He winked at Jed.
Jed felt like he was going to throw up. "Why Abbey?" He repeated strongly.
Richard sighed. "What? I thought you and Abbey were sooo close. Doesn't she tell you everything?"
Jed did not move and made sure not to show any emotion.
"Surely she's told you about me?" Richard downed another Bourbon.
Jed's hate for the man in front of him grew. Could Abbey really have been involved with this man? If that was the case, Jed could forgive her. She was gone and there was nothing they could do to work it out, so he would forgive her and cherish Abbey's memory. "She liked you" was the only thing Jed would allow himself to say.
Richard shrugged. He put the glass down and turned to Jed. "Isn't that nice? She liked me.. Well, if that's what she told you."
Jed wasn't sure what to make of Richard. Was he a bitter ex-lover? Surely, if Abbey had become involved with him, this man would know she would never leave her husband. Suddenly Jed started to wonder if that was it. Had Abbey told Richard that she would never leave her husband? Jed could not take much more of this. "I demand to know, why Abbey?"
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"I'm in trouble! You said this wouldn't happen. I have my career to think about. You know I have that big interview this week." Dennis rubbed his sweaty hands together and let sarcasm drip from his tongue. "I don't think they'll hire anyone who's up on charges of impersonating The President of the United States." He paced around the detention cell, hoping Leo had a plan.
"No, I got you into this and I'll get you out. If I can't, The President will." Leo wondered what Jed was doing right now. Had he confronted Richard?
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Ron hopped out of the SUV and ran toward the man standing next to his cruiser. "Sheriff Woodland?" At the man's nod Ron continued. "They said you know the whole area. How many buildings are we dealing with? Any hunch on which one we should look at first?"
"That's easy." Sheriff Woodland adjusted his hat, proud to be assisting the Secret Service. "We only got one option. That's the cabin up on that ridge." He pointed to a section of trees. "It must be where the President was headed; it's the only building until you get into town. It's not too far. We go straight up the road for a mile and then a gravel road juts off on the left. Follow it about a half mile to the cabin."
"Let's go!" Ron yelled to everyone around him. He did not want to waste one more minute. "Sheriff Woodland, set up your deputies along the main road and block it. No one leaves that cabin without my permission."
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Richard was beginning to get annoyed with his intruder. "Has anyone ever told you that you sound like a broken record?"
Jed ignored him and took a couple of threatening steps. "Why my wife?"
Richard stepped to the side to avoid him. "Just shut up!"
Jed changed his path and advanced on Richard. "Why Abbey?"
Richard was really getting irritated now. "If you want honesty, Mr. President, I'll give it to you! I didn't mean to have her killed, just for her to suffer. I can't help it if YOU went too far."
Jed was now inches from Richard and ignored what he said. "WHY MY WIFE?"
"Because YOUR WIFE deserved it. She was a cold hearted BITCH."
That was all it took for Jed to lose it. He lunged forward and his hands went around Richard's neck, his weight sending both men on a collision course with the hard tile floor. "Let's see how you like it when someone tries to squeeze the life out of you!" His grip got tighter. "Not so nice, is it?"
Richard struggled to breathe, his hands desperately clawed at the hands around his neck.
"How does it feel?" Jed screamed as his knuckles became even whiter. "How does it feel, you sorry son of a ......"
Amidst the frantic wrestling of the two enemies, the door flew open and Ron darted into the room, weapon scanning for the threat. "Sir!" With agents in tow Ron sprung into action. His arm slid around the President's chest and he pulled back with all his strength. "Sir, let him go!" Another agent joined in the struggle to try to separate the two.
"He does not deserve to live!" Jed tried to fight, but the energy was draining out of him and soon his grip on Richard's neck loosened. Ron and another agent helped him to stand as he struggled to compose himself. He staggered back, pressed his fingers to his forehead and shook himself, all without taking his eyes off the man on the floor desperately trying to catch his breath. For a moment it was Abbey he saw lying there. He squeezed his eyes shut, falling into the chair behind him.
"Get him out of here." Ron indicated, not having any compassion for the young man who was gulping in air and coughing convulsively. "And let Leo McGarry know we found The President." Ron then turned to the man himself. "Sir?"
Jed looked up. "You found me." He tried to make light of the situation, not wanting to think how far things would have gone if the Secret Service had not shown up.
Ron did not let his anger reach his face, but inside he was furious. Furious that the President had been able to fool them. "Sir, I don't think I need to tell you the importance of the Secret Service knowing your location at all times so we can protect you properly."
Jed could tell Ron was angry with him and he had every right to be, but he did not want to get into this now. He stood up although a bit weary on his legs. "I know and what I did was wrong. You found me and all is well with the world." Again he started thinking of Abbey...'"Well almost."
"Mr. President..." Ron tried to press on.
"I know, I screwed up and I'm sorry. It won't happen again." Jed almost lashed out. Realizing he had almost shouted, he took a deep breath, put his hands in his pockets and was about to apologize again when something else caught his attention. His wedding ring. It was gone. His fingers explored every corner of his pocket, hoping that the ring would suddenly be there. When he realized that was wishful thinking, he barged passed Ron, scurried around the room and bent over even at a speck of dust.
"Sir?"
Ignoring Ron he fell to his knees and scrutinized every inch of the floor, throwing whatever object got in his way. "I have to find it!"
Ron stepped beside him. "Find what, sir?"
"My wedding ring. I LOST MY WEDDING RING!" He could not lose it. It would be like losing Abbey all over again. He had to find it.
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Leo put the receiver down, almost shaking with incredible relief. Jed was safe. He turned to Dennis who was sitting in one of the chairs. "They found The President."
"He's OK?"
Leo nodded, as he could see the worried look on his friend's face. "Look, I'll do whatever I can to get you out of this mess and if I can't I know The President will. He would never want anyone else to get in trouble because of him."
Dennis believed him. He had known Leo for years and he knew he could trust him.
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Jed's frantic search continued, his ears no longer hearing what Ron Butterfield was saying. The ring was a part of him like a hand or a leg. He could not imagine himself without it.
Ron squatted down and tried to be any help he could. He tried to anticipate where the President would look next and get stuff out of his way.
"Where is it?" Jed was beginning to panic. He could not lose it. Then all of a sudden as a striped throw pillow went flying, there it was. He snatched it up quickly and held it tightly in his hand. "Thank God." He whispered in a low voice.
Ron stood up, but The President stayed on the floor, trying to calm his breathing. "Sir, are you ready to go?"
Jed opened his hand and looked at the ring. He had to go back to The White House, but Abbey would not be there and since home was anywhere she was, he knew he had lost all chance of happiness. She would never be home with him again. "Yeah." His mouth spoke the word, but his heart did not mean it. As he got up he paused for a moment. He slipped the ring on his finger where it belonged. Then he silently made his way out to the car. As he reached it he turned to face Ron. "Look, I'm sorry about this...I just"
Ron could tell his boss was slowly losing it. "Yes, sir. I understand."
Jed nodded as Ron opened the door for him. Once inside he looked at his wedding ring again. A small tear found its way down his cheek.
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After Dennis and Jed had exchanged clothing, Jed finally spoke more than in one word answers for the first time since arriving back at the White House. "I'm sorry we dragged you into this. I've talked to Ron and you will not face any consequences because you did what I asked you to do. He does want to have a little talk with you and he is outside, so if you wouldn't mind?" Jed gestured lightly to the door.
Dennis felt relieved. "Thank you, Mr. President." As he was about to pass The President, he was stopped.
"No, thank you. You may not be able to tell anyone about this, but I will never forget what you did for me." Jed offered him his hand and Dennis accepted it. Jed managed a small smile. The man in front of him really did look a lot like himself. "I'm sorry I lost your fake beard. I threw it in the woods."
Dennis laughed. "Don't worry about it."
Leo waited as the two men exchanged goodbyes. But as soon as the door closed behind Dennis, Leo looked over at Jed. "You OK?"
"No, I don't think I'll ever be again."
Leo did not know what to say as a response. "What happened?"
"Nothing. He wouldn't tell me why he did this to Abbey, but it's clear he was after her." He put his hands in the pockets of his robe as he looked out the window.
"Abbey?"
"Yeah." Jed gazed out at the sun that was rising, indicating a new long day ahead. "You think they had an affair?" He was not sure why he was asking Leo this. He did not quite believe it himself. "Abbey and Richard?"
Leo felt his heart drop into his stomach. "What? You can't be serious?" Leo quickly walked over to where Jed was standing. "Surely, you don't believe that? Did he say that? You can't believe him?"
Jed turned to face Leo. "No, he didn't say much."
"Then why would you even think such a thing?"
"I don't know. What else could there be? I'm confused, I'll admit it. I don't know anything." He took a few unsteady steps and slumped down on the bed. "I'd like to be alone for a while."
"Sir....Jed..."
"I'm going to see Abbey soon. I...I just need to get my strength up for..."
Leo knew there was nothing more he could say to make Jed feel better. "OK, I'll be in my office if you need me."
Jed barely heard Leo's words as Leo respected Jed's wishes.
Once outside Leo paused and leaned against the door. He stood there for a full two minutes, thinking of ways to make Jed feel better, but he knew there was nothing he could do that would give him any true comfort. As he finally started down the hall, he saw someone approaching slowly with Ron. He saw them coming closer and Leo realized it looked like...
"Leo." The woman greeted him.
"Abbey?"
TBC........