Chapter 3

The next day Jed worked until late that night. Abbey was away on an overnight trip and Jed hated going back to the Residence alone. He was reading a briefing paper when Leo knocked and entered the Oval.

Jed looked up, over the edge of his glasses. "Hi, working as late as me?"

"Yes, sir. A Chief of Staff's work is never done."

"Well, I guess I could say the same thing." Both men laughed.

"Want a drink, Leo?"

"Yes, sir. Club soda will be fine."

Jed walked over to the buffet and poured his friend a drink and freshened his scotch. He walked back to the sofa where Leo was sitting and handed his Chief of Staff, and best friend, his drink.

"Leo, if you could have seen what I saw I think you would understand so much better the potential trouble this country faces. I mean millions of people could die. And what's so bad is that is that most of them won't even see it coming. With the regular seasonal flu only a percentage of people actually get vaccinated. And for this stuff there is no vaccine. There's one under development but it could be next year or longer before it is available."

Leo just nodded. He knew Jed was on a roll and he didn't really want or need an answer to his statements.

"Another concern I have is the potential panic when the health authorities start quarantining groups to help slow down the spread of the flu. It has been many generations since this country has had to face that and I don't know how people will react when the police and the military have to force people to stay in their homes for their own safety.

"And the hundreds of people who have lost their livelihood in Asia and other countries where thousands of chickens and other domestic birds have been destroyed. The same could happen here to our poultry industry." Jed shook his head. "There's really not a good side to this."

"Sir, you can only take care of this country. And it's a big job. You have to somehow protect almost three hundred million people. Some of these people will die. Not only children and the elderly, but there will be previously healthy people to contact this virus and die. You can't protect everybody."

Jed nodded dejectedly. "I know, Leo. I know there will be deaths no matter how hard I try. But I have to try. I have to."

"Jed, you've always wanted to save the world. That's what makes you who you are. And Abbey and I wouldn't have it any other way. But you have to realize that this time it will be out of your hands."

"Yeah, I know that. My brain agrees with you but my heart says differently."

The two men continued to drink in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, Jed broke the silence. "I guess I need to call it a night. I'm still tired from the trip. I don't sleep well without Abbey but maybe tonight I will. Good night, Leo."

"Good night, Mr. President."

Leo stood up as Jed grabbed his briefcase and watched a man weighed down with incalculable troubles leave the seat of power.

'If the public only knew how that man can't really leave the job here. If they only knew…' Leo thought as the door closed behind the President.

Jed walked slowly along the Portico and upstairs. His thoughts were not of the bird flu but of his wife. He wished so badly she was waiting for him tonight. Tonight he needed comfort and only one person could really give him that.