Chapter 20
As Jed entered the Oval Office on his return from the hospital, Leo and CJ were waiting on him. Ron had followed him into the Oval so apparently he already knew about this meeting and it concerned him.
"Abbey is awake and knows I know she didn't try anything as stupid as suicide. So who's doing all this and why?"
Leo and CJ spent some time looking at each other so Ron finally broke the silence.
"We have identified a probable suspect based on the maid's information. Danny has also confirmed from his sources at the Times that this person was indeed the one who gave a reporter the doctored photograph."
"Well, who the hell is it? I want a name and then I want him in front of me as soon as possible. Its one thing to place a doctored photograph in the front page of the most widely read newspaper in the world, but quite another to direct some flunky to try and kill my wife. I want a name! RIGHT NOW!" He slammed his fist on the desk.
Leo finally looked Jed directly in the face and spoke. "We think its Mary Marsh."
Leo, CJ, and Ron braced themselves for the explosion that was sure to come.
"Mary Marsh! From that right wing Christian extreme group that sent Annie that doll with a knife through its throat? What was it…oh, that's right. The Lambs of God. I don't understand. Why?"
Ron spoke this time. "Sir, we don't know the exact reason. Here's what we do know, based on a compilation of various sources."
Jed sat down in his chair, preparing himself to understand why this has all been done.
Ron continued. "It appears that the First Lady's missing wedding rings set all this in motion. According to the maid, she had been working for Ms. Marsh the past two years, for free, or we would have found the extra funds during a normal background check. She had been told to keep her eyes and ears open for anything that could be used in a negative way, either about you or your wife. The maid found the rings behind the dresser right after Mrs. Bartlet had left on her trip and turned them over to Ms. Marsh. We also think it was Ms. Marsh who paid off the attorney in Manchester to file those false separation papers, and gave a reporter contact the doctored photo to turn over to the New York Times."
Looking at CJ, Ron continued. "That reporter is Mark Wilson, who is now under arrest. He's the one who pushed the lost ring story so forcefully, hoping that it would harm the President's marriage. He has been a faithful follower of Ms. Marsh's philosophy, as has the maid. We're still looking for the attorney, but his circumstances probably will be very similar."
Ron saw CJ pale at the thought she had been set up. But it wasn't her fault. The reporter had played the game beautifully.
He turned back to the President. "When the separation papers and doctored photograph failed to get the effect she wanted, apparently that's when she went to a higher, more sinister level. She coerced the maid to take any opportunity she could to do physical harm to either one of you. When the maid saw the new sleeping pill prescription on Mrs. Bartlet's bedside table earlier today, she knew she had found a perfect opportunity. She observed Mrs. Bartlet take one pill and then fall asleep. After two hours, she woke Mrs. Bartlet up just enough to force her to swallow the nine remaining pills. She intended to give Mrs. Bartlet the full prescription of ten pills, but dropped two. The two you found on the floor. So Mrs. Bartlet only had eight pills in her system. The doctor at the hospital said that those two extra pills could have stopped her heart before you would have found her."
Jed's face paled and his hands were visibly shaking. He took some deep breaths, trying to get control of his emotions.
"Ron, I want this woman found and I want to see her when she is. She has to pay for this sick plan of hers. Attempted murder is not revenge. It's the product of a sick and twisted mind."
"Yes, sir. I'll keep you informed. Also, I've doubled the detail on Mrs. Bartlet at the hospital. If Ms. Marsh tries anything there, she will be caught before she can do any harm."
Quickly standing, Jed's heart was pounding. "Oh my God! I never thought about something happening at the hospital. Zoey is there as well as Abbey. I'm going back there right now! Leo, are you coming with me?"
"Yes, sir."
They exited the White House as quickly as they could and slid into the back seat of the Presidential limousine.
Ron knew he couldn't stop the President from protecting his own. He had seen it too often to stand in his way. So he followed the two men to the car. With Ms. Marsh still on the loose, neither the President nor his family would be safe until she was caught.