Dear readers, sorry for the delay in post. The last few weeks at work have completely drained me of all energy and time. However, I'm now on half term break- a blessed week off; in which I hope to keep the posts coming thick and fast.

Thanks for all your patience.

Part 41

The media was in a frenzy, news reporters were lined up outside the hospital, and parked outside the Grant's residence. Quinn was having to firefight a string of questions at the NOW's headquarters, and Abby was immediately bombarded by the press as soon as she stepped outside her flat. Of course, she refused to entertain them. "I have nothing to say..."

Liv and Fitz's affair- it was everywhere. The news had spread like wildfire.

"Mrs Grant, how do you feel knowing that your husband, Washington's lead Candidate for State governor; has been having an affair with young African American woman?"

"Are you aware of her pregnancy?"

"Will you file for divorce?"

"What do you have to say on the matter?"

"Did you know?"

Of course she knew of the affair, only, she didn't know who it was with… Now she understood why Jerry had kept the information from her… She was better off not knowing… just the thought of it made her stomach turn..."A black woman?! Pregnant? Had Fitz completely lost his mind?!"

The young girl had been brutally attacked, but had somehow managed to live through the ordeal and that left Mellie in complete and utter turmoil, for she knew without a doubt that this was Big Jerry's handy work, but more worryingly, the girl had survived- therefore that made her a key eye-witness, and with the driving force of her husband behind her, it was soon to become a huge police investigation. What if they managed to trace it back to Jerry, or worse, her? This was bad on a number of levels- this attack was already being pinned as a racially driven assault, the NAACP would be all over it. In addition, inevitably, Fitz's future in politics were shot, and with it went all her dreams of one day becoming the first lady too. Forever under scrutiny, their family would never be the same again.

She toyed with the idea of calling Big Jerry. But wondered if her phone line would be tapped? Would calling Jerry implicate her further? She was beyond paranoid, for she knew she had motive, plenty in fact… Aggrieved wife, who gave up everything to support her husband's journey into political office, whilst struggling to raise two kids alone, whilst he selfishly turns his back on her and their family, by having an affair with a younger woman. A woman who also happens to be black, and now carrying his illegitimate child, and at a time when interracial partnerships were heavily frowned upon, dare she say it; forbidden. Surely, the notion of it all could drive any loving wife to murderous intentions.

In truth, Mellie was as guilty as sin.

Overruling sensibility, the urge to speak with Jerry however was too great to ignore… She needed his immediate help and his counsel... After all, he had promised he would fix this mess, and it was far from fixed. Instead it was blowing up in their faces.

"Mellie calm down…"

"How can you expect me to calm down?" She seethes down the phone, albeit keeping her voice low… "My husband has been sleeping with a black woman, and the first I hear of it is from the press… And she's pregnant? My God…" She trails off in disbelief… "Did you know?"

"No, it was news to me too…" He confesses. Unsure about how he really feels about the news of his unborn grandchild.

"I can't believe this is happening, the press are all looking to me for answers, because no-one can deny the fact that I would be the most likely candidate to arrange a hit on my husband's Mistress…" She shares hysterically.

"Mellie, listen to me, you need to pull it together!"

"If I go down for this Jerry, I'm taking you with me… I swear…" she threatens.

"Relax, relax..." He raises his voice in frustration, "I have it under control… I have my man on it, he's going to finish this once and for all…"

"Are you mad?! What on earth are you planning now?"

"Well, there won't be much of a case, if the two eye witnesses are eliminated… and that's what my agent intends to do... Take them out- permanently."

"She's in the hospital, as is her father, surrounded by police… Have you completely lost all sense of reality, there is no way your man is going to pull this off, not without getting caught and dropping us in it!"

"Hardly… Trust me Mellie, just sit tight, give me three hours and I'll call you as back soon as it's over… In the meantime, stay indoors and talk to no-one."

Unconvinced, she tells him with trepidation… "I'm not buying it... this is not going to work Jerry, and you know it… I think we should seek legal advice, and work on what we should say to the press..."

"Just do as I ask Mellie, don't question it, say nothing… The situation is being handled as we speak. I have it all under control..."

Hanging up the phone on the receiver, once it was clear that Mellie was complying to his wishes. Big Jerry runs his hand over his face, exasperated… If only he felt as confident as he sounded and portrayed. For this was a disaster, through and through.

For both their sakes, Jake had to follow through with orders; because their entire future; freedom even, rested upon it.

Xxxxx

Distracted by the press and police, it was easier than he thought it would be to bypass Fitzgerald Grant. He had done his research before heading over, hacking into the hospital's medical file he was able to distinguish what floor and what ward Miss Pope was on. Her file also indicated that she would be having a consultation with one of the leading specialist in obstetrics, Dr David Rosen, who, under Grant's instruction, had been specially flown in to examine her. Because, as expected the trauma suffered in the attack, now deemed her pregnancy as high risk.

In other words it was Jake's open window in. He would pose as Dr Rosen, to get pass the security. And then he would take it from there, act swiftly; straight in and straight out.

Suited and booted, and his I.D. ready in hand. He made her way to her room.

It was time to bring this show to an end, and save his own skin in the process.