Chapter 3
Three weeks earlier
"I'm going on a trip in few weeks."
"Where?"
"Moscow."
"I know that. It's a state visit and it's on my schedule as well. So why are we discussing it now?"
Jed sighed. "I want you to stay here."
"What? I don't think so."
Jed remained silent.
Abbey could sense Jed's unease. "Look at me. You've never said that before. So why now?"
Jed looked at his wife, snuggled next to him in bed. It was late, he was tired but he also knew she had to know the truth. But he was hesitant. He had read the intelligence reports and knew the danger he faced. He also knew how she would react.
"Well. you see, it's because…"
Abbey sat up and turned to look her husband in the eyes. She knew that he was trying to come up with a lie for her benefit but she needed the truth.
"Okay, Jed. Tell the truth. Why do you want me to stay behind? Got a girlfriend over there?"
"No. Of course not. It's just that…" he hesitated while he tried to come up with an answer.
"Jed, tell me. I see you trying to create a story for my benefit. So tell me the truth and we won't have to fight."
Abbey paused, waiting for him to decide the correct path.
"Okay. The truth…the truth is that there has been several significant death threats issued since it became known that I was going, but I have to go in spite of them. But I want you to stay here, safe."
Abbey stared at her husband. "No, I won't stay here. I'm scheduled to go with you and these threats make me even more determined. I will not stay here safe and sound while you're in danger."
"Abbey, I don't want to put you into any danger. I have to go to shore up relations with the Russians, but you don't have to go."
"Jed, this is not up for discussion. And you knew the minute you said anything what my response would be, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
"And you knew it would only make me more determined to accompany you, didn't you?"
"Well, I hoped that you would be a little more reasonable. I mean, if something happens to me, you need to be here for the girls."
Abbey wiped the tears that had started to fall. "No, Jed. I go where you go and we face danger together. That's the rule we've lived by and that the rule that we'll continue to live by."
"Abbey, the security will be very tight and I don't want to have to worry about you when you're out of my sight."
"What does Ron say?"
"He doesn't like it but he understands I need to do this. He said that precautions would be taken to make me as secure as possible."
"Then he can add me to the list because I am going. End of discussion."
"Abbey…"
His words fell on deaf ears.
"No Jed. Discussion closed. I go where you go, even into the lion's mouth. We can't run from danger. I feel sure that the Service will do everything in its power to keep us safe."
He reached up to pull her head closer to his. "Do you know how much I love you?"
"Show me, will you?"
Jed kissed her passionately which started their normal conclusion to an argument. And he showed how much he truly loved his wife.