Chapter 7

It had been a successful meeting day. The Presidential party was back aboard Air Force One, waiting for takeoff from Rio. It was an approximately a three-hour flight, just enough time for a quick meal. Upon arrival in Argentina, everyone would be taken to the Sofitel Buenos Aires in downtown Buenos Aires for a two-night stay in a real bed. Everyone was looking forward to that luxury after a night sleeping in chairs. Well, everyone slept in a chair except the President and Chief of Staff.

Jed, Leo, and his Senior Staff members on the trip were in the office, relaxing after the busy day.

Toby had fixed everyone whatever they had wanted to drink and they were waiting for the takeoff announcement.

"Mr. President," Leo started to say, but was interrupted by the speaker.

"Ladies, and Gentlemen, this is Colonel Walker. We have been cleared for take-off so I am requesting that you buckle your seat belts. We are anticipating a patch of rough air due to some storms in our flight path so I am requesting that your remain in your seats and belted. This is for your safety. Thank you."

"Now, as I was about to say. Mr. President, I think today went very well. I wandered around and thought the guests got a lot from the small group format. I certainly don't understand Portuguese, but there were a lot of smiles on the faces of the guests."

"Leo, I agree. From the translations I heard, I think the ability of the guests to directly talk to both Presidents and quiz us directly was a big hit. Toby, I think we should try something like that back home."

"Yes, Mr. President. I'll work toward arranging something like that."

"Leo, I haven't had a chance to talk with you about the issues we discussed this morning. Did you have a chance to talk with Josh?"

Just then, the cabin steward came in for the dinner order. He verbalized the menu and waited while everyone chose their dinner entrée. The President wanted braised veal with mashed potatoes and squash while Leo ordered steamed fish and steamed vegetables. Toby decided on a club sandwich with fries and CJ ordered a chicken Caesar salad.

"Now, Leo, what did Josh say?"

"John Miller is not hiding any health problem. Josh talked with his personal physician, with John's permission, and there are no secret health issues. So the only thing we can come up with is that whoever leaked the story from the cabinet, is doing so out of revenge on you. We don't think the reporter will give us the name of who he talked with. CJ, if you and Toby would feel out the Times reporter on this trip and see they have any idea who might have done this, it would help. But I don't think that they will give us any information. So, we're struck with trying to figure out who might have a grudge against you."

Jed laughed. "I think there's a long line to choose from."

"That doesn't help us much."

"I know. I was trying to make a joke."

"Yes, Mr. President."

"Well, keep looking, Leo. If I think of anyone, I'll let you know. Now, what about the Rural Communications Bill?"

"Josh came up with two names that might be on the fence, Wilson and Starr. He was going to talk with them and see if they wanted a couple of presents to stay with us. I told him not to give away the store. He understood. I didn't have a chance to reach him again this afternoon. I'll talk with him tomorrow. He had been up all night with the Miller issue so I want him to get some sleep tonight."

"Mr. President?"

"Yes, Toby?"

"Does it have to be a Cabinet member? Couldn't it be one their staffers who had a grudge against their boss and wanted to insinuate that it came from their boss?"

"I never thought of it that way. That's a good point. Leo, ask Josh to look into that perspective."

A knock on the door signified that dinner was being served. The group continued to talk during dinner about the upcoming two day visit to Argentina and the State dinner on Wednesday.

"Mr. President?"

"Yes, CJ?"

"The press wants more access to you and the President of Argentina. All they got today were photo ops and nothing of substance. No chance to ask any questions of the attendees or you or President Cardoso."

"CJ, both countries signed off on the schedule for the Brazilian meeting and Cardoso specifically requested no press interaction. He's in a tight race for reelection and he's not been treated kindly by his press. I had no say in the press restrictions if I wanted to meet with him. In Argentina, isn't it different?"

"Not by much," Leo answered. "President Duhalde is having his own problems. But, as you know CJ, we have been able to schedule a brief press conference at the end of tomorrow's meeting, maybe ten minutes, and then a photo op just before the State dinner. Hopefully that will help dampen the press concerns about access."

"I hope so, Leo. Or I will have a revolt on my hands."

Leo started to get up from his chair, but just then the plane hit an air pocket and he was thrown to the floor.

"Leo!" Toby yelled and attempted to get up to help him but was thrown back into his chair as the plane kept bouncing. "Are you okay?"

Leo rolled over, trying to catch his breath. "Yeah, just give me a minute."

The President wanted to get up and help but knew that, until the plane stabilized, he could not help his friend.

But Ron, who was standing right outside, had heard Toby's yell and opened the door. He saw the Chief of Staff on the floor and somehow made his way over to him. Ron reached down and literally picked the older man up and placed him back in the empty chair.

"Thanks, Ron," the President replied. "Leo, are you hurt? "Jed didn't wait for an answer. He picked up the phone and asked for the Flight Surgeon to come and check out his friend.

"Nothing but my pride."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Mr. President. Maybe a little out of breath, but nothing broken. At least I don't think."

When Leo realized what Jed was doing he said, "Please don't. I'm fine."

"Too late, Leo. He's on his way."

There was a knock on the door. Dr. Miller stuck his head in the door. "Mr. President, you called for me?"

"Yes. Leo fell during that last air pocket we hit and I want him checked out."

"Yes, Sir." Dr. Miller entered the room and went over to where Leo was sitting.

"How are you feeling, Mr. McGarry?"

"Stupid. I'm fine, really."

Jed spoke up. "Hey, guys" nodding to CJ and Toby, "Let's give Leo and the Doc some privacy. Leo, we'll be right outside when you're finished."

"Yes, Mr. President."

"Okay, let me check you over." The doctor felt all the bones and joints, felt over his head and conducted a basic neurological exam. "Okay, I agree with you. But you will be sore for a few days. Now, I have another question for you. Have you had any more chest pain?"

Leo paused, debating on whether to tell the truth, but decided to do so. "Yeah. This morning I had a brief episode. But I took one of your little pills, just one, and the tightness went away. Haven't had any trouble since."

"Okay. But when you get back to Washington, I want you to see your cardiologist right away. This is not something to fool around with, Mr. McGarry."

"I hear you."

"Okay. Call me if you need me."

"Thanks."

The waiting trio came back in as the doctor exited.

"The doc said you will be sore, but nothing broken. That's great, Leo."

"Yes, Mr. President. I guess that should teach me not to stand up in a moving plane."

The group laughed.

Just then the intercom interrupted them.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are making our initial approach into Buenos Aires. Please remain seated with seatbelts fastened. We will be landing at Ministro Pistarini International Airport momentarily. Current time is nine pm with a local temp of sixty-nine degrees and intermittent showers."

"Great," the President said to no one in particular.