CHAPTER 13:
It happened so fast.
In the zone of the attack. A few minutes after the assassination attempt.
The shooting stooped but the place is still a real chaos. The zone was full of policemen, agents, and paramedics. All what Kelly could hear were sirens and scared people crying. Two doctors were attending her. She had her hand on her head. It really hurt her, but she wanted to be brave.
Kelly- I'm really fine. I just hit my head on the ground when somebody pulled me down.
The doctor nodded and continued his examination, and then asked…
Doctor- Are you Kelly Ludlow?
Kelly- Yeah!
Doctor- can you tell me what day it is?
Kelly- It's still August 22.
The doctor nodded again. After finishing checking Kelly and cleaning up a small cut she had in her forehead, he concluded that she was fine physically.
Doctor- Ok, Kelly, you're more shaken up than anything else, you have a small cut in your forehead but I don't think you're going to need stitches, I think you should find some place to lie down.
Kelly nodded. Her body was still shaking for the shock. As her eyes filled with tears she asked the question whose answer really terrified…
Kelly- Is the President dead?
The doctor had not idea. He looked at Kelly apologetically…
Doctor- I don't know… sorry.
The doctor left to see other injured people and Kelly walked around a police car noticing that its door glass was broken. Dickie approached to her from behind.
Dickie- Are you all right?
Kelly felt looked at him confused and overwhelmed.
Kelly- What?
Dickie- Are you ok?
Kelly- Yeah. How's the President? Was she hit?
Dickie was even more confused than Kelly about that.
Dickie- I really don't know… I didn't see her… everything happened so fast… are you ok?
At that moment, Kelly busted in tears. Dickie pulled her into a friendly embrace and Kelly cried a little while in his arms. She explained in sobs…
Kelly- I wasn't hit because somebody pulled me down.
It was then when she noticed that Dickie's right hand was bleeding.
Kelly- oh God… were you hit?
Dickie- no… a car's window shattered into little pieces and I got cut…
They saw Vince who came running toward them… He looked scared, but he wasn't hurt.
Vince- oh my God! Are you two ok?
They both nodded, and got very glad to see that Vince was all right.
Dickie- how is the President?
Vince- nobody here has any information about her…
Dickie- and Horace and Jim?
Vince- They weren't hit… I think the Secret Service is taking them to the White House.
Meanwhile- Inside the Presidential limo.
Several limousines were heading back to the White House pretty fast. President Mackenzie Allen and Special Agent Daniel Carter were inside one of them.
Agent Carter - Horace's secure. He wasn't hit ma'am.
Mac- Get him on the radio, please!
Mac was shaking and was having a difficult time to breath. The Agent assumed that was because of the shock. He explained as nicely as he could…
Agent Carter- Ma'am, he can't talk right now because he's vomiting in the car.
Mac- Why the hell?
Agent Carter- It happens, Ma'am, It could be shock.
Mac gasped for air. She was trembling, and with a lot of difficulty, said…
Mac- why is he vomiting?
Agent Carter- He might have got an elbow on the stomach when they pulled him down... The important thing is that he is secured, and two agents are taking him to the White House
Mac sighed a little relieved, and gasping for breath said...
Mac- Is anybody dead back there?
Agent Carter- We don't know, we don't think so.
It was then when Mac noticed Agent Carter's bloody hand that was wrapped with some bandage.
Mac- What happened to your hand!
Agent Carter- I got hit.
Mac gasped horrified, and then shouted at the driver…
Mac- turn around! We gotta go to the hospital.
Agent Carter- No! We got to get you to the White House.
Mac- We're going to the hospital! Let's go!
Agent Carter - I have to put you inside the White House, Ma'am. President. This isn't something we discuss. It's Secret Service protocol.
Mac shook her head… and still breathing with some difficulty, said, very ironically…
Mac- right… my son is throwing up on the floor in the car behind us. You're losing blood by the liter, not to mention how many broken bones you got in your hand, but we have to make sure that I'm tucked in bed before we do anything...
Mac stooped talking and gasped in pain. Then Agent Carter saw, shocked and horrified, how there was blood suddenly coming out of the President's mouth.
Agent Carter- Ma'am. President?
He quickly started checking Mac, searching for a possible injury. And then he felt it… blood in Mackenzie's back. She had a wound in her back. Mentally cursing himself for not noticing it before, Agent Carter yelled at the driver…
Agent Carter- Let's go to the George Washington hospital… NOW!
The limousine made a quick 180-degree turn and started heading to the hospital.
Right after the shooting…. In a very fancy restaurant.
Nathan Templeton and his wife, Sarah, were having dinner in a restaurant and they hadn't heard anything about the shooting yet. They were simply enjoying of a lovely evening. Nathan felt at top of the world because he could use Mac's "war against the Catholic church" for personal gain. Besides, he was also happy because his opponent had lost her runny buddy.
Nathan- do you realize that she handed herself to me in a plate? I didn't have to do anything…
Sarah- but darling… Are you aware that she actually didn't declare war to the Catholic Church?
Nathan nodded and smiled at his wife.
Nathan- yes… but the Catholic voters don't need to know that…
Suddenly, and completely out of the blue, Several Secret Service Agents came storming inside the restaurant. Templeton got really worried because he guessed what that meant. Everybody else was simply stunned. All the people in the restaurant froze. An agent said…
AGENT- Excuse me! Everyone stay where you are! Mr. Speaker, would you come with us please?
The agents surrounded Templeton and escorted him outside. He knew perfectly well that, if something happened to the President, the Secret Service was suppose to secure immediately the next person in the presidential succession line. Nathan suddenly became pale; if the Agents had come to get him like that it was because something bad had happened to Mackenzie.
Inside the George Washington Hospital's Emergency Room.
It was a quiet night in the hospital lobby. The phone rang and a nurse went to answer the white phone that was in the reception. But then she realized that the ringing phone was a red one that was attached to the wall. So, knowing what that meant, she answered the red phone.
Nurse- Station One.
Agent Carter's voice in the phone- We are coming in!
Nurse- I copy that. Is this a drill?
Agent Carter's voice in the phone- NO!
The Agent sounded terrified, but the nurse was still very incredulous.
Nurse- The thing is I have a few patients and we're expecting more in a bit, so if this is a drill…
Suddenly the sirens got a lot louder. The nurse looked to the entranceway where several cars and ambulances had already arrived. She hung up the red phone and picked up the local one.
Nurse- Trauma One. Trauma One, Blue! Blue! Trauma One, Blue! Go!
Nurses and doctors around her started to get busy. Several Secret Service Agents entered and started moving the civilians who were in the E.R. to clean up the room. One agent announced…
Agent- "Victory" is two minutes away!
Exactly two minutes later… a bunch of nurses and paramedics hurriedly pushed a gurney carrying President Mackenzie Allen. She had blood on the side of her shirt and she groaning and trying to catch her breath. Agent Carter was following them close.
Nurse- She was shot in right side of her back between the 5 and 6 rib. There's only an entry wound.
A doctor who was checking Mac, called Doctor Kovach, tried to talk to her.
Dr. Kovach- Ma'am. President, I'm Dr. Kovach. I'm the trauma surgeon on duty. We need to take you up to surgery as soon as possible… we need to take that bullet out of you.
Mac used all her strengths to say…
Mac- I swear to God if I don't see my son in the next five minutes, I'm gonna attack someone.
Agent Carter- he's on his way.
Mac was taken to a trauma room. She pointed at Agent Daniel Carter.
Mac- He was shot in the hand, by the way. If somebody wants to give him an aspirin or something...
The gurney stopped and the nurses and doctors hurriedly started preparing things for the treatment.
Dr. Kovach- Okay, Ma'am, we're just gonna get you stabilized before surgery.
Mac- Listen, I want you to wait as long as you can before you take my to surgery. I need to speak to Jim Gardner and with my husband before anything else is done. It's VERY important.
At that moment, Horace walks inside the trauma room and saw his mother in pain. A look of fear was in his face while he said weakly…
Horace- mom? Mommy!
Mac- I'm okay.
That was obviously Mackenzie's pride talking. Horace held back his tears and asked softly...
Horace- Are you… are you in a lot of pain?
Mac- No. Not really.
Horace- Are you lying?
Mac- Yeah. I want the nurses to tell reporters that I was brave and very strong.
Horace- You ARE brave, Mom. And you are the strongest woman I know…
Mac sighed, her body ached so much, but she was very happy to see her baby.
Mac- Honey, I'm so happy to see you.
Horace gave a hug trying carefully not to disturb the medical equipment.
Horace- Dad, the girls and grandma are on their way.
Mac- oh… Dad will be pretty pissed.
All of a sudden, Jim came storming in the trauma room; a troubling look appeared in his face while he looked at Mac. He noticed Horace beside him.
Jim- How you doing, kid?
Horace- I'm fine.
Mac needed to tell something important to Jim, alone, so she asked Horace…
Mac- Honey, I need you to step outside and wait for daddy. I'll see you after the surgery.
Horace- ok. I love you, mom.
Mac- I love you too, Baby.
Horace left the room and Jim walked closer to Mac.
Mac- Anybody killed back there?
Jim- Just the two shooters ma'am. The Secret Service got them through the window.
Mac- Anybody in the crowd?
Jim- There were some people injured. They're coming right now.
Mac- What about our people?
Jim- Kelly hit her head on the ground, and Dickie cut his hand, but that's it...
Mac felt the pain inside her increasing more and more…. She had an oxygen mask but she felt like she was running out of air… She still had to give Jim some instructions…
Mac- Jim… Get the cabinet together and the Security Council. They'll take us to DEFCOM 4.
Jim- Yes, Ma'am.
Mac- and I need to see Rod right now… I'm running out of time…
Jim got really scared when Mac said that she was running out of time… He simply said…
Jim- he is on his way…
Mac- good. And Jim… Come here.
She motioned for Jim to come closer. He leaned his head near her and Mac, like looking for comfort in a good friend, kissed him on the cheek. That scared Jim more because it meant that Mac was saying goodbye before the worst happens. He simply said…
Jim- I'll see you when you wake up after surgery, Ma'am President.
Mac sighed as Jim exited the room. When Jim left the trauma room, he saw Kelly, Horace and Vince waiting for news in the emergency room. Jim gave Vince a sympathetic look and gave him a manly but heartfelt hug…
Jim- I'm glad to see you are ok…
Vince- right back at ya…
Jim noticed that Kelly was crying, so he hugged her tight. Noticing also a scratch in her neck.
Jim- it's ok, Kelly… hey… what happened to your neck?
Kelly- I… I lost my necklace… but I'm fine… somebody pulled my down...
Jim- sounds like you own somebody a big present… where is Dickie?
Kelly- getting stitches…
She was about to ask how Mac was, but suddenly, a very nervous Rod stormed inside the hospital practically running. He saw Horace and immediately hugged him tightly.
Rod- thank God you are ok…
Horace- yeah… I'm fine… but mom is not …
Rod nodded, and interrupted her son said…
Rod- I know… but she will be ok. I know your mother. She will be fine.
Rod had already been told everything about Mackenzie's condition and he was terrified, but he didn't want his son to know that. He saw Doctor Kovach coming close to him.
Dr. Kovach- hello Mr. Calloway… I'm Dr. Kovach.
Rod. Oh… yes. We spoke on the phone while I was coming… how is she?
Dr. Kovach- we need to take her to surgery immediately, sir…
Rod- And why don't you?
Dr. Kovach - She DEMANDS to see you first. She even threatened us so we do what she said…
Rod smiled weakly and nodded, that sounded like his wife. He immediately went to the trauma room where they had his wife. He entered fast, but stopped and gasped horrified when he saw Mac. She looked very pale and weak and she was groaning in pain. Mac saw him and sighed...
Mac- Rod… you came.
Rod came closer to her and took her hand then kissed her forehead. He hated seeing her like this.
Rod- they have to take you to surgery honey…
Mac nodded. Tears started to come to her eyes. She was afraid that if she went to surgery she might never wake up from it.
Mac- yes… but I had to see you first…
Rod- oh, honey…
Mac- I told them that I wanted to see you and they shouldn't go against the last wishes of a dieing President…
Mac didn't add that she had experience in going against a dieing President's last wish and that wasn't fun, but she thought that. Rod shook his head stubbornly…
Rod- you won't die… you will be fine…
Mac- liar…
Rod wasn't able to hold back his tears anymore. Mac motioned for him to come closer and then kissed him on the lips, knowing that it could be the last time. After that, a very worried nurse checked her and said….
Nurse- ma'am President… we can't wait any longer…
She squeezed Rod's hand, with terrified look, and looked at his eyes…
Mac- Rod…
Rod squeezed her hand and nodded solemnly in support… Mac said then…
Mac- ok… I'm ready now. I love you, Rod…
Rod assumed she meant, "Ready for surgery". Before he could say: "I love you too", very strong sound, a very loud "BIP", came from the machine that was connected to Mac's body. Rod saw in horror that Mac fainted and the doctors and nurses were frenetically working on her…
Doctor Kovach- ok… clear!
The doctor put two paddles in Mac's chest and gave her electroshock. Rod gasped, and then a nurse forced him out of the room.
Nurse- Mr. Calloway, we need you to wait outside…
Rod couldn't even react. He couldn't believe what was happening. The last thing he heard before the nurse practically dragged him to the waiting area was Doctor Kovach yelling desperately…
Doctor Kovach- we are loosing her!
White House. In the West Wing. An hour later…Jim was about to enter in the Situation Room. But Nathan Templeton stopped him.
Nathan- Jim, before we go in there I need to know the truth… how is our girl?
Nathan was deeply concern. Jim shook his head sadly and said…
Jim- she is not very good… she cashed down an hour ago, they managed to get her stable again, and now she is in surgery… the bullet is located in her right lung…
Nathan gasped and putted his hand in his mouth.
Nathan- oh Dear Lord…
They finally enter in the situation room that was full of busy military men. They all stood up as soon as they saw Nathan.
Nathan- at ease…
While Nathan said those words and everybody sit down it really hit him… he was in charge now. However, he felt like crap. It wasn't supposed to go like this… he didn't want the power in these circumstances. He quickly decided to leave Mac's chair empty and took a sit where the Vice President would. Nathan asked the National Security advisor, Anthony Prado.
Nathan- Tony, tell me… these shooters, they didn't have a wallet with an ID. on them?
He already knew the answer, it was pretty obvious, but it didn't hurt asking… just in case. Anthony Prado answered…
Anthony- They didn't have anything on them, Mr. Speaker. They knew we were going to get them through the window.
Jim- sir, even when the two shooters are dead… Special Agent Carter said that there was a third guy… somebody who gave the shooters a signal from the ground. They are looking for him…
Nathan nodded very overwhelmed. Then Anthony Prado said…
Anthony- Mr. Speaker, we have a different problem… according to these pictures North Korea is beginning to have an unusual military activity… as you can see, they are moving their troupes closer to our bases in South Korea. They know what happened and want to take advantage of the fact that we are facing a leadership crisis.
Nathan couldn't believe. Like they didn't have enough problems!
Nathan- I can't deal with this right now, let's way 24 hours to see what happens with The President before we handle North Korea.
Anthony- I understand, but, Sir, we may no have 24 hours…
Nathan was really upset. He wanted nothing more than crash the North Koreans with the entire USA army. But it wasn't the right time.
Nathan- North Korea's troupes can't find their car keys in 24 hours!
Anthony- Look at the pictures, Mr. Speaker. I think they've found them.
Nathan paused for several seconds. Everybody looked at him expectantly… he simply said…
Nathan- Jim, what's the best way to get a message to North Korea?
Jim- Their representative in the U.N.
Nathan- All right them. Call him and give him a message…
Jim- What do you want the message to be?
Nathan paused for a moment, and then, he said firmly:
Nathan- "Don't mess with us tonight."
He got up, so did everybody else. Before leaving the sit room, he turned around and said…
Nathan- Tony, I swear, If this signal guy isn't in custody in one hour, North Korea will be the least of your problems.
At that same moment. Inside the pressroom.
Kelly had left the hospital and gone to the White House to do an emergency briefing. The President being shot was the most exiting thing that had happened in years and reporters were desperate for information. Kelly was in podium, she looked puzzle and a little dazed, like she was still in shock.
The entire press corps was frenetically yelling her name… eventually she said…
Kelly- yes Jill?
Jill- When can we talk to the medical team?
Kelly - Dr. Kovach, the head surgeon, and the President's personal physician, will inform you after the surgery.
The reporters started yelling Kelly's name again.
Kelly- Charlie… ?
Charlie- Has there been any discussion of the 25th amendment?
Kelly- No.
The reporters yelled Kelly's name again, but Charlie talked over the others…
Charlie- and why not?
Kelly, feeling and looking lost, simply said…
Kelly- What?
Charlie- Why hasn't there been any discussion of the 25th amendment?
Kelly- I don't know. I'll have to cover that in a later briefing.
Jill yelled another question…
Jill- Do you have anything on the identity of the shooters?
Kelly.- I'm sorry?
Jill- Do you have anything on the identity of the shooters?
Kelly- No.
Some of the reporters were getting very annoyed because they couldn't get the information they needed. The reporter called Steve asked…
Steve- Kelly, Are you aware that the Associated Press has been saying that two bodies were brought out of the building? And that they are also saying that there is a massive manhunt underway for a suspected third accomplice?
Kelly shook her head firmly…
Kelly- I don't have anything for you on that.
Other reporters started yelling Kelly's name, but Steve talked over them…
Steve- Why does the AP know more than you do?
Kelly- The AP doesn't know more than I do; they are just willing to tell you more.
One more time, reporters were raising hands and yelling Kelly's name. She had ran out of patience, she wanted to much to yell "give me a break!" instead she yelled…
Kelly- I'll take just one more question!
Jill jumped in again, asking…
Jill- In previous administrations the President entered and exited buildings under a tent or canopy, Can you tell me why these precautions weren't taken for President Allen or at least why not tonight?
At least Kelly knew exactly what she had to say about that…
Kelly- it's policy not to comment on security procedures.
Jill became very irritated and said…
Jill- Well, if you can't answer the most straightforward questions then what can you tell us?
Kelly felt lost again. She had her hand on her neck and looked dazed. Then she shook her head and said…
Kelly- I'm sorry?
Jill- Kelly, What do you know? What CAN you tell us?
Kelly- There'll be another briefing in an hour and a half. Hopefully we'll know more then.
The reporters groaned as she announced this, and some tried calling her. Kelly simply left the pressroom and started walking to her office. When she got to her office, she noticed that Charlie had followed her… He called her attention touching her shoulder.
Charlie- Kelly?
Kelly- What?
She turned around and saw Charlie, looking a bit guilty for bothering her.
Charlie- I'm sorry, I don't want to be a pain in the ass but you HAVE to answer my question.
Kelly looked at him very confused and wishing he would just go away.
Kelly- what was the question?
Charlie- The President is in a very critical condition Kelly, and we don't have a Vice President… is important for the people to know: if the 25th amendment wasn't discussed, then who is in charge?
Kelly, very mechanically, started saying what Jim had told her…
Kelly- in the sit room we have The Speaker of the House, the Secretary of State, the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of Defense, and the White House Chief of Staff.
That answer wasn't good enough for Charlie. He protested saying…
Charlie- You just listed FIVE people, Kelly! WHO is in charge?
Kelly didn't have any more patience.
Kelly- The Canadians, Charlie.
To Charlie, that joke wasn't funny at all; Kelly ignored his mad glare and added….
Kelly- and I'm talking about the hockey team.
Charlie- Look, this is very serious matter…
Kelly knew that. She interrupted Charlie, saying with a begging tone…
Kelly- Just... give me a little time.
Charlie, taking pity on Kelly, nodded and finally left her alone.
A couple of hours later. George Washington Hospital.
Kelly, Vince, Dickie and Jim were back in the Hospital. Mac hadn't gotten out of surgery yet. They were in the waiting room. So were Kate, Horace, Becca and Amy. Jim asked Kate politely…
Jim- excuse me, Mrs. Allen… I'll get some coffee for everybody. Can I get you anything?
Kate had her eyes red because she had been crying a lot. She shook her head…
Kate- no… thanks… I don't want anything…
Jim understood and got up, Kelly decided to go and get coffee with him… They were walking towards the coffee machine and asked….
Kelly- where is Rod?
Jim- I bet he is hiding somewhere; he is very scared and doesn't want people to see him like that.
Kelly nodded guessing that Jim was right. Then she asked…
Kelly- Jim, who is in charge?
Jim- what?
Kelly- I mean, a reporter asked me that question, but I wasn't sure…. Is Templeton in charge now?
Jim- not exactly…
Kelly was confused. Jim saw her confusion, so he explained…
Jim- according to the 25th amendment, yes, Templeton is next in line to succeed The President because we don't have a VP. But the 25th only enters in the picture if the President dies…
Kelly- but isn't he Acting President until President Allen wakes up?
Jim shook his head exhausted. And simply said…
Jim- she never signed the letter…
Kelly- she was supposed to sign a letter handing Templeton temporally the power?
Jim- yes… but there was no time…. Besides, for Templeton to be officially Acting President, he would have to resign as Speaker of the House…
Now Kelly understood. Then, they were back to the waiting room. Everybody in there could do anything but wait, hope and pray. Kelly took a glance at the TV in the waiting room that was turned on… there was a reporter talking about what happened.
Reporter- Press Secretary Kelly Ludlow appeared at her briefings to be very shaken and wouldn't give much information. Right now, it's unknown whether the President before going under anesthesia signed a letter that would make Nathan Templeton Acting President. All we know is that the President is in her third hour of surgery. She remains in critical condition while the doctors are battling to save her life. In the gates of the George Washington Hospital and right outside the White House, several thousand people are gathered behind police barricades. This is a very spontaneous vigil, with prayers being made... and collective breath being held. The question in everybody's heads right now is… Will The United States of America face the death of its first female President?
To be continued….
So… what's the answer to that final question? You'll see it in the next chapter….
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