Chapter 4
"We repeat, an avalanche has just occurred in the Towson valley area. Early reports are of at least two homes demolished and maybe some people trapped. Please stay tuned to this radio station for further details."
The local police struggled to get to the site of the avalanche. The only road was blocked with debris so snowmobiles would provide their only access.
As the police came up the valley, the first chalet was empty. That was a relief.
As they made their way further up the valley, they realized the second house was the one rented by the First Lady, who had been on a ski vacation with her daughters.
More calls for assistance went out as they saw the destruction of the chalet. The avalanche had sliced the house in two. One side was completely flattened while the other side was still standing but covered by several feet of snow.
The officers quickly left their snowmobiles and ran to see if there were any survivors. They could only hope there would be. But avalanches usually took lives.
"Gus, the song goes 'Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame, Wake up the echoes cheering her name, Send a volley cheer on high,…"
Jed stopped in midsentence as Leo and Ron approached.
"Yes?"
Jed and Gus were in the living room in the Residence watching a Norte Dame football game. Jed had been trying to teach his grandson the Norte Dame fight song, but Gus couldn't quite get it to his grandfather's satisfaction. But then at six, he had many more years to learn.
"I need to speak with you, sir."
It was highly unusual for the head of his security detail to be present in the Residence and especially on a Saturday. And to have Leo with him must mean something has occurred in Utah.
His heart sank.
"Gus, I'll be right back. Keep practicing."
Jed closed the door behind him as he met the other two men in the hall.
"Yes? Is something wrong with the girls?"
"Yes, sir. We're getting initial reports of an avalanche at the location of the chalet that Mrs. Bartlet and your children rented. The building appears to have been cut in half by the slide. We don't know yet the conditions of your family. I'm waiting for additional word from the site. And I have more agents on their way from the Salt Lake office."
Jed looked at Leo for confirmation, who just nodded.
Jed went over to a chair and sat down dejectedly. "Ron, my whole family is out there. My whole life. Abbey, my girls, my granddaughter."
"Yes, sir." There was nothing anybody could say at the moment to make him feel any better.
Jed looked at his best friend with sorrowful eyes. "Leo…they have to be okay. They just have to be."
Looking back at Ron, "Is there anyway I can get out there?"
Ron shook his head. "I would prefer sir if you wait until we have more solid news."
"Well, okay. But go ahead and notify the flight crew. I'll be going just as soon we know for certain what's going on out there. And I'll call Doug when we have more information. I'm sure he'll want to fly back as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir. As soon as we have any word, you'll be the first to know."
Sighing, Jed returned to his grandson's side, knowing that soon he might have to be told that his grandmother, aunts, mother and sister were dead. And that was not going to be an easy task.