Chapter 14

Mark repeated the statement. "The picture showing your wife kissing another man."

Leo and CJ turned to see the President's reaction.

"What are you talking about?" Now Jed was curious.

Abbey froze in mid stride herself and turned to look at Mark, then back at her husband.

"The picture showed your wife last night kissing another man. Certainly not anybody in your family that I know about."

"Sir, you're mistaken. Now, I have to go. Abbey, come with me. Thanks everybody." With one hand he waved and with the other, he gently inserted his fingers into those of his wife's and pulled her out of the room.

They had barely exited the door before Abbey spoke, "Jed, I don't know what he's talking about. I was on the plane last night. You know I got in early this morning."

"Shh, Abbey. We need to talk, but not here. Wait until we get back to the office."

She let Jed lead her until the doors to the Oval Office were shut behind them.

He picked up the phone and asked Charlie to get him the newspaper. He wanted to see this for himself. There was a soft knock and Leo and CJ entered holding the front section of the Times.

"Leo. CJ. Please leave us alone for a few minutes. I need to talk with Abbey privately."

They nodded and quietly left the room while Jed and Abbey poured over the picture.

It did show Abbey kissing another man while the caption read: 'First Lady says goodbye to a Special Friend'.

"Jed, I promise you, I know nothing of this. I have no clue who this man is or how they got me in the picture."

"Abbey, I believe you. Let me call Ron and see if he can get any traction on this story." He picked up the phone and asked for Ron to come to the Oval right away.

Within seconds, Ron appeared.

"Ron, Abbey says that this picture is a fake. Is there anyway we can determine its authenticity?"

"Yes, sir. I'll get the photo experts at the FBI and the CIA right on it. And I'll have a New York based agent get the original. I'll get a subpoena if they won't give it to me."

"Thanks. And Ron, I needed the answer yesterday."

"Yes, sir."

After he left, Jed turned to see his wife crumpled into one of the high back chairs sitting in front of the Presidential desk. He heard quiet sobs coming from inside the chair.

He slowly walked over to Abbey and pulled her up into his arms. Looking into her emerald green eyes that had always fascinated him, he smiled. "Abbey, it'll be okay. I believe you, but I have to know for sure. Whoever is doing this is using all sorts of tricks to split us apart. So we have to find out for sure. I love you, Abbey. I have told you this thousands of times and I meant it. Why don't you go upstairs and get some rest? You have to be exhausted."

Abbey just nodded her head. As she turned to leave, Jed whispered again, "I love you and nobody else. Always remember that."

He had at least gotten a small smile out of her as she headed to the Residence.

Jed stood where he was for a brief moment, looking at his departing wife. He made a vow. "Who ever is doing this will pay. I promise that."