Day 14
"You and I both know that these kids were not representatives of the United States Government. They aren't terrorists. They are teenagers with a band." She said into the phone as the SUV rolled toward Hungary.
"Madam Secretary, I know very little other than the fact that our nation has become overrun with outsiders. It has become nearly impossible to determine who is a terrorist."
"I am not talking about broad generalities. I'm talking about a very specific case. These children were on holiday, and decided to set up an impromptu concert." She could tell from Blake's glance her direction that she had raised her voice.
"Well unfortunately, they set this up in the middle of a giant protest. They should have heeded the warnings given at their hotel and stayed inside."
"Have you seen their website? The band is named Daisies for Peace!"
"Be that as it may, the government of Hungary does not have them! We've take notes Americans hostage - as you imply!"
"No, but you have access to General Fari!"
"General! Ha! He's a rabble-rouser at best! Besides how important can all of this be to the United States? Your own Ambassador is sunning herself- she isn't harassing me with endless phone calls!"
"I'll stop calling you, when you put me in touch with General Fari or his staff. You've nothing to risk, except perhaps the strong and steady support of the US government."
"Madam Secretary, that sounds like a threat."
"I expect to hear from you today, sir." She glanced over at Blake with a weary look and hung the phone up.
"See, I told you, I would be nice." She said with a wink.
"Yes, ma'am." He agreed, pleasantly. "We should be there in another hour."
"Hmmm. What can we manage to accomplish in the next hour?"
"Well, my recommendation would be to use this time to contemplate the deeper meaning of all that has so far transpired." He told her with an earnest look.
"Contemplation?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, and he nodded. "You mean I should take a nap."
"That isn't what I said, ma'am."
"You know I don't think it is fair when you and Henry double-team me, and just remember Blake, one of you I'm tied to for all eternity, but the other one I can fire."
"Yes, Madam Secretary." He nodded, but grinned when she scrunched down into the seat, closing her eyes.
"I can hear you gloating over your victory." She said to him without opening her eyes.
"Yes, ma'am. I apologize."
***MS***
"Well," Nadine said, stepping out the SUV and glancing around. "It's no Croatia." She smiled at Daisy beside her, who had also just emerged from the car.
"I can cross another country off my list, though." Daisy said.
The two of them walked up to the third SUV that had just pulled up to the Boscolo Hotel an impressive building that loomed behind them. The waited as Secretary of State, Elizabeth McCord and Blake Moran exited the vehicle.
"Ma'am," Nadine said in greeting. "They just finished a sweep of the rooms, so we can head straight inside. Did you have any luck?"
"We have a meeting just outside Pesch in the morning." She told Nadine, pausing to frown at Blake who let out a quiet "humpf" as she spoke. "Although neither Blake, or Frank are content with the location."
"Why not?" Nadine asked.
"It is an area where there have been demonstrations." Blake said
"Doesn't that describe pretty much all of Hungary at this point?" Daisy asked.
Elizabeth said nothing, only giving Blake a look.
"I see your point, ma'am." He said.
"Ma'am, would you like to meet now, or would you prefer to rest first?" Nadine asked her.
"Now. I'd rather get some of this prep work taken care of, and then collapse."
"After dinner." Blake added. "You want to eat before you collapse."
"It's funny. You don't look a thing like Henry, but sometimes you sound just like him, Blake." She said turning from them and walk toward the beautifully ornate hotel. "Well, one thing can be said for Eastern Europe, they weren't kidding around when they built these places."
Blake turned to Nadine, as they followed the secretary inside. "What does that mean? Is she saying I'm unattractive?"
"Try not to let your insecurities show through, Blake." Nadine said with a laugh. "It's not your fault that Dr. McCord is a little bit more Superman, and you are more like . . ."
"Batman?" Blake suggested hopefully.
"Robin." Daisy said with a wink at Nadine. "Definitely Robin."
***MS***
Henry McCord stood beside the kitchen table studying the paper in his hand. He was trying, rather unsuccessfully, to interpret the instructions on her assignment.
"Well, what did he say in class?" He asked Alison, who was watching him expectantly.
"It's due tomorrow." She told him. "That is literally the only thing he said. He handed it to us as we walked out."
"Well, it looks like you should. . ." He paused unsure, and study the paper again. "I think it says that . . ." He handed it back to her. "I don't know Noodle, can you call someone?"
"Someone? Who? A classmate?" She shook her head.
"Maybe they understand it."
"Better than a professor who has written nine books? Dad, if you can't understand it, do you really think a fifteen year old is going to?"
"Well, it's been a long time since I did any chem homework. Where's Stevie? She was always really good at science."
"Work, and Jason already tried. That's how desperate, I am." She picked up the paper, studying it closely. "I just finally, finally got to the place where I think I understand math, and now I feel completely lost in chem." She looked up at her father, who was studying his phone. "I bet you've got a quote about the balance of the universe."
But he didn't respond. He just stared at the phone in his hand, his features suddenly completely blank.
"Dad?" She raised her voice. "DAD!"
He glanced at her startled. "What?" He cleared his throat. "I'll write you a note, sweetheart. I've got . . . I need to . . . Maybe you could just stay home tomorrow." He moved toward the stairs, and disappeared before she could even respond.
"What?" She rose, shocked and suddenly worried. She stood at the bottom of the stairs, and listened to the sudden slam of her parent's bedroom door. She debated whether she should follow him upstairs, but instead went upstairs and into her brother's room.
"Hey, ever heard of knocking?" He asked from where he sat perched on the edge of his bed, his laptop on his lap.
"Why? You staring at pictures of girls?" She teased but glanced at the screen. "I thought you gave up on Tumblr."
"Whatever. Bains told me about this one blog that's pretty funny. Why are you bugging me? I told you I do not understand chemistry. Ask Dad."
"I did. But then he got all weird and went into his room."
"Weird? With Dad, how would you know?" He glanced up at her. "What?"
"I don't know. It feels like . . . something is wrong."
"You are paranoid. Stop being so obsessive." He set the laptop aside. "Ally . . ."
"You didn't see him. You go and try to talk to him."
Jason moved past her and stood in the hallway. He turned back to her. "The door is closed."
"Don't be a chicken." She said pushing him.
"Stop pushing me." He shook his head at his sister, and walked closer to his parent's room, and knocked on the door. "Dad? Hey, Dad?" But he got no response.
He turned to Allison, and seeing her face said, "He's probably just in the bathroom or something."
"Jason,"
"Don't. Allison, you are just freaking out because of . . .this isn't. Mom is in Croatia. Nothing happens in Croatia. I looked it up."
"If Mom is in Croatia."
"Do you stay up late trying to think of things to worry about? Jesus, Ally! Mom said she was going to Croatia. The news showed pictures of her in Croatia." He shook his head turning away from his parent's room. "I can't believe that everyone thinks I'm the one who's paranoid! Just go do your homework." He went back into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
She stood where she was a moment longer, between two closed doors, unsure. She wished that her father would come back out of his room. She wished that Stevie were home. She wished . . .
***MS***
Henry McCord didn't hear Jason's knock. He couldn't hear anything, but the rapid beating of his heart. He stared at the one-word text Blake had sent him: Genevieve