Chapter 23
As he stepped forward, Ron tried to stop him. "Sir, you can't go. It's much too dangerous."
"Not this time, Ron. Not this time." Jed stepped around his agent and proceeded to walk a few steps down the hall toward his daughter and the snake that was holding her.
"Why, Mary? I just want to know why."
Mary smiled. "Mr. President, it's only been two years. Have you forgotten already?"
"I do remember our little meeting in the White House two years ago. As I remember, I threw you out. Isn't that correct?"
"Yes."
"But that's not the real reason is it, Mary? That's not the real reason for all of this. No, I think you have an even better reason. Why don't you tell me?"
Leo and Ron watched as the President continued down the hall, toward his daughter. Only those two men saw the beads of perspiration break out on Jed's forehead. Only those two men, closest to the President in almost every way, could tell his voice was not as strong as it normally was. But then, only those two men knew that nothing would stop the father from trying to rescue the daughter, even if it cost him his own life.
Looking at Zoey, Jed could see the fear in her eyes. Fear that only a father could see or know how to look for.
"Zoey, are you okay?"
Nodding her head yes could be her only response. At least the only response that would prevent Jed from immediately launching himself toward her.
Turning his attention back to the snake, he stopped twenty feet away. "Tell me Mary. Tell me the real reason you did this."
The snake hissed as she smiled. "Revenge. Revenge is the Lord's work. I prayed and prayed about the humiliation you heaped on me that day. How very humiliating it was to get thrown out of the White House. And when my followers heard, they decided they wouldn't support me anymore. They left by the thousands. And took their money with them.
"I was so totally humiliated that I swore upon the Holy Book that revenge was my new goal. And I made it the Lord's work as well.
"I waited and waited for an opportunity. Then you walked right into my trap. When Mrs. Bartlet lost her rings, I knew then that my prayers had been answered. I knew then that God had finally sent me an opportunity and I grabbed it.
"Sweet revenge.
"But then, to accomplish my goal, I had to expand the intent of my actions until I had no other choice than to do physical harm. You kept beating me. Kept pouring water on my flame so I had to keep relighting it. I had to make it bigger each time.
"Now, with Mrs. Bartlet recovering, I have no choice but to take my actions to the highest level. And your precious daughter provides me with that answer. I control her life and I will make the decision when to end it. You can't control me any longer."
"Don't," as he slowly started forward again.
Closer.
Closer.
"You can't do this Mary. God will not like it if you take a life. You will go to Hell."
"I'm already in Hell," as she lowered the gun, aiming directly at the President. "I'm already there," as she pulled the trigger.