Chapter 18

Jed was pushed over to see Abbey one more time before he left CCU. He took her hand and stroked it. They had released the restraints and he had better access to her fingers.

He held her hand for several minutes, hoping that soon he could see her open those green eyes of hers.

"Get better, babe. I miss you and I want you by my side as soon as possible."

He leaned in and kissed her fingers. That would have to do for right now.

He then nodded to Liz, who turned the wheelchair around and headed upstairs to the VIP suite.

Several hours later, Ron came in to bring him some good news for once.

"Mr. President, we have Dr. Franks under arrest. He has admitted to both doses of cocaine."

"Where did you find him?"

"Sir, he was boarding a flight to Brazil. The FBI caught him at the gate, just before he boarded."

"Thank God. He has to pay for what he's done to Abbey. But why? What was his reason? How could he have wanted to kill Abbey? What did she ever do to him?"

"He said it was a crime of opportunity. That he saw an opportunity to end Mrs. Bartlet's life over something that happened many years ago."

Jed shuddered. "What did he mean by it being a crime of opportunity?"

Ron hesitated. He knew the final report would give all the reasons that Dr. Franks stated for doing this horrible act, but it was personal between the President and the First Lady.

"Sir, he said that the carbon monoxide poisoning and your admission to the hospital gave him the means and opportunity to settle an old score with Mrs. Bartlet."

Jed looked at the head of his security detail. He sensed Ron wasn't being totally forthcoming. "Ron, I'm not going to give you a direct order to tell me his reasons, but I would like to know."

Ron momentarily broke eye contact with the President but returned his eyes quickly to the steely blue eyes gazing at him. "I think you should ask Mrs. Bartlet."

Jed, for some unknown reason, knew that it had to come from Abbey herself. "I will, Ron. If she makes it."

"Yes, sir."

Both men then kept silent with their own thoughts. Neither one knew if that would occur.