Chapter 3
Leo worked every Sunday. That was just the way things were. Especially with the President in Manchester. Although communications were great, there were still many things that could be handled through him and he didn't have to bother the President with them. They would have a standard morning briefing, but the time varied according to when the President would be ready for the day. He tended to sleep in a bit later when he was in Manchester, which was fine with Leo. That gave Leo some breathing room to do other things in his office.
Leo looked at his watch and smiled. It was eight am and the President still had not called. Must have been a late night with the family. He would give him another hour. Jed Bartlet was not the happiest man when it came to waking up.
At 9:15 Leo started to get a little concerned. Jed had never slept past 8:30, even when he was sick. Leo rang the farmhouse, but got no answer. That was strange.
Leo then placed a call to Ron, who had gone to Manchester with the President.
"Have you heard from the President this morning?"
"No, Mr. McGarry. It's still quiet in the house. The lights stayed on all night in the den so we figured one of the children or grandchildren just fell asleep in front of the TV. So they might be sleeping. Have you tried to call him?"
"Yes. But there was no answer."
At that information, every hair on Ron's body jumped out. "Let me check this out. I'll get right back to you."
As Ron hung up the phone, he had pulled on his parka and was out the door.
"Come with me," motioning to two other agents to follow.
Ron and the other agents slogged through the snow to the front porch. There were no fresh tracks in the snow so there was no evidence of anybody entering the house. Ron opened the front door to total quiet. And the house was freezing cold.
He looked in the den and saw Zoey, still in her clothes from yesterday, asleep on the couch with the TV on. Unusual.
But Ron's first responsibility was to the President. Ron took the stairs two at a time. His target was the President's bedroom.
He knocked on the bedroom door, and getting no response, quickly pushed it open.
An apparently normal scene greeted him. The President and the First Lady were snuggled in each other's arms, apparently sound asleep. But the noise had not awakened either of them.
In a booming voice, Ron said, "Good morning Mr. President." No reaction.
Ron quickly covered the short distance and shook the President. No response.
He touched his neck and was relieved to find a pulse, although weak and irregular.
Same thing with the First Lady.
Something was seriously wrong.