Chapter 7
In the meantime, CJ scurried to find out who had leaked such an incredibly wrong story and demand an immediate retraction.
She called the senior producer at CNN, Dan Thomas, and threatened him personally if he didn't give her the name of his source.
"Do you know how wrong this story is? I demand to know where you got your information and I demand you retract it immediately. There is absolutely no truth to this story. None at all!"
"CJ, you can threaten me all you want to, but I will not tell you my source. Journalistic integrity and all that. They seemed reliable. So how was I to know it wasn't true? Can you absolutely assure me the story is not true? I've seen the actual paperwork."
"How the hell can you see paperwork when the story is completely wrong?"
"I have it right here in front of me. Josiah and Abigail Bartlet of Manchester New Hampshire request the dissolution of their marriage of thirty-seven years. The paperwork was filed yesterday afternoon at the courthouse in Manchester. Who else could it be? Besides, the person that gave me the tip says they're familiar with the Bartlet marriage."
"By God, Dan, you have to tell me you your source is. You have to."
"Sorry, CJ. I can't."
"Well, then you get your ass on the shuttle and get down here within the next two hours. After visiting with the President, you might change your mind."
"I can't. I have a show…."
"YOU GET YOUR ASS ON THE PLANE RIGHT NOW!"
"Okay! Okay! Calm down. But even in front of God himself, I will not release my source."
"Dan, get your ass down here now!" as CJ slammed the phone down.
She was breathing so hard that she thought at first she was going to hyperventilate.
But gradually, her breathing slowed to a more normal pace and for the first time in an hour she finally had time to think.
Who could be the source?
Who could have such an insight on the Bartlet marriage that he or she would want it destroyed?
Who?