A little late, but here it is! Hope you enjoy. Thanks as always to Team AGW for their support.
Chapter 15
The complications didn't wait for morning. They barely waited for Isabella to be back within the White House, where Pamela met her, along with Athenodora and Riley Biers, her Press Secretary.
"Riley, I'm so glad to see you're well. Did you want to work to get ahead of this story, or would you like a few hours of sleep so we can see what we learn from the agents?" Bella felt bad that in the heat of the moment she hadn't thought about how her press secretary had been on the opposite side of the podium, seated beside Emmett.
"It is best if we get ahead of this, Ma'am. The Vice President is en route. They were on the way to his home when I called. They'll be stopping to get Ms. Brandon and be here shortly."
"Ms. Brandon is on sick leave," Garrett seethed.
Pamela stepped forward. "We didn't call her. She made the decision to come in on her own."
"Garrett," Bella reached out to grasp his wrist. "It'll be fine. Alice knows what she's doing." She turned to face the growing crowd. "I'm going to change into something a bit more comfortable since we'll be at this a while. Gather the necessary people and we'll meet in the Oval Office in twenty."
Isabella heard the radio call for her movement as she strode towards The Residence. Edward walked close behind her as they maneuvered through the corridors.
Edward was the only agent to follow into the sitting room, but after unzipping her dress at the doorway to her rooms, he returned to the hallway.
Isabella changed, and within moments was on the move back down to the West Wing. She used her private entrance, with only Edward accompanying her. She approached her desk and noticed tomorrow's mail was already sitting on her desk. A manilla envelope stood out to her, so she opened it.
The contents made her blood run cold.
"Special Agent Masen," she whispered.
"Yes, Ma'am," he responded to her professionally as that was how she'd addressed him.
Wordlessly, she held out the envelope.
He took the offending package and looked inside, cursing as he did. "Call Mrs. Cope in here."
"She isn't here. These packages would have gone through the Secret Service office, correct?"
Edward shook his head. "It doesn't have a label, it would have never made it through. This was brought in by someone with some form of security clearance."
There was a knock on the door and Garrett entered. "Masen?"
"What do we know so far?"
"The call to the various networks came from a burner phone so our chance of tracking that will be difficult, but the FBI is working on it, as well as taking apart the bomb to see how it was built."
"We need to get this to them too," Edward held up the envelope.
"What's that?" Garrett asked.
"An inhaler," Bella whispered, "like Harry's."
"Fuck," Garrett spat. "I'll call the agent that was here briefing us and tell him about it."
Thirty minutes later, the FBI was sitting in the Oval Office taking the last bit of Bella's statement.
"Thank you for getting this to us so urgently. We'll check this for any prints or contaminants. As soon as we know something, we'll be in touch."
The agents exited and the room filled with Bella's staff.
"What now?" Bella asked.
Alice stepped forward. "Riley received a call while you were in your meeting. In all the commotion, most of the cameramen shut off their cameras. Except CNN. They have footage, no sound though, of whatever happened on that stage and they're planning on airing it tomorrow morning. They were hoping you would like to make a statement."
"Riley, see if you can get them to share a copy of the footage so we know what we're commenting on as a way to stall," Bella ordered.
"Yes, Madam President." Riley pulled out her phone and began dialing.
"What could they have from tonight that would be damaging enough to cause concern?" Alice asked.
"While they were trying to defuse the bomb, Edward kissed me to try and calm my nerves. I'm assuming it was a shot of the whole stage, where it would be obvious he's part of my detail, but not definitively who he is."
"Shit," Alice responded.
"It is unfortunate that this is how it will be announced, but I won't deny our relationship. Not after everything we've been through."
Garrett stepped forward. "We all have assignments. Maybe Phoenix should rest while we try and figure out how to handle everything. Bravo Team is on duty, Edward, if you want to go with her."
"If something comes up?" Edward pressed.
"We'll let you know. I have an idea, but without the FBI behind it, there isn't a point to bring it up. I'll make some calls."
"Thank you, Garrett. You all know what to do. Please keep us informed." Bella looked at her exhausted staff, knowing the next few hours would decide a great deal.
Her protective detail, minus Garrett, went up to The Residenceand gave Edward and Bella the privacy they needed.
Deciding a shower was the best course of action, they washed and caressed one another under the hot spray. They changed for bed, and Bella took the time to braid her hair so it would have some curl to it once it dried, no longer the shoulder-length bob from a year ago.
She found Edward sitting in the middle of her bed, a contemplative expression on his face.
"Are you all right?" Bella asked him.
He looked up at her, his eyes filled with anguish. "I could have lost you tonight."
"But you didn't. I'm safe and I'm here because of you."
"What are you thinking? You're too calm for my liking." Edward reached out his hand and she took it.
Bella settled beside him on the bed and exhaled a stuttering breath. "Once we have the immediate situation handled, I'll allow myself to fall apart. Right now, I need to be sharp."
"Do you remember our conversation last week?"
"Which one?"
"This one." He held out a small velvet box. "I've loved you from the very beginning, though I didn't do a good job showing it. We've been through some harrowing moments and I can guarantee there'll be more to come, but I want to be the one standing beside you. The worst part of tonight was warring with wanting to be your boyfriend and your Secret Service agent. I don't want to be on the wrong side of that again."
"You know this will change everything for you. You'll have to leave the Secret Service and take on some task within the administration. You'll be the First Gentleman."
"I'll be your gentleman. Let me be your shelter in the storm, not the shield that protects you from the world. Will you marry me, Bella?"
She looked into his eyes, so earnest and eager for her response. It warmed her heart and she couldn't deny them. "Yes, Edward. I'll be your wife."
He pulled her into his lap, holding her close, and kissed every inch of her face as she giggled at his behavior.
"There, I needed to hear that sound." He picked up the box and opened it to reveal a large diamond ring with a scroll design encrusted in diamonds halfway down the band. He slid it onto her finger, a smile tugging at his lips. "And now the picture is complete."
"We should get some sleep. Who knows when they'll come knocking."
With a yawn, Edward pulled Bella close and they fell asleep.
A few hours later, Athenodora reluctantly shook her boss awake. "Bella, Ma'am. They need to see you in the Situation Room to brief you on what they've discovered and on the plan for the day."
Isabella shook her head, trying to remove the fog that came with too little sleep. "I'll get dressed and I'll be right down."
"Yes, Ma'am. Agent Pace asked for Edward to be present as well."
Bella froze, not used to the formal address when it came to Garrett. In the close quarters of the White House, they were normally only referred to in such a way when it was official business. Normally, Edward headed this up. Something that would change in the coming days and months, she was sure.
"I'll have him join us."
When the door closed behind Teeny, Edward groaned into his pillow. "We have to go downstairs?"
"Yes. It would appear they have a plan."
Edward sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Then we'd better get a move on."
They got dressed together, using the bathroom mirror to make sure they both looked the part. Isabella packed her makeup and hair supplies, knowing she would need to be on camera at some point this morning, but not wanting to hold up what was likely dozens of people waiting for this meeting. The pair emerged from the room and took the stairs down to the West Wing, Teeny and Bella's protective detail in tow. She handed her bag to Athenodora, and they were escorted into the Situation Room. where she took a seat at the head of the table.
"Tell me what you've learned."
Isabella recognized the first man to step up, since he'd handled the investigation into Harry's poisoning. "Yes, Madam President, I'm—"
"Agent Jackson? Or are you Trent?"
"Jackson, Ma'am," he said and blushed. "Trent is my partner."
"I apologize for the interruption, but I remember you from the initial investigation."
"That's quite all right, Ma'am. We have a few updates to offer, even though the teams are still at work. Whoever built the bomb had access to the Hilton prior to the event. The device was built into the chair in a way that took time, meaning the chair was removed from the location and then hidden away. When the room was set up, the chair would already have been there and there would be no question as to who would be seated in it. We're running every available print, but we don't know if that will lead to anything credible yet. However, we do have some information on how the inhaler arrived at the White House." Agent Jackson turned to his partner, who continued the briefing.
"With the help of the Secret Service, we verified that a box of mail was delivered this evening by an agent on the Vice President's detail, Royce King."
Isabella's chair creaked as Edward's hands tightened on the back. "Was he questioned?"
"Yes, Special Agent Masen. He told us that when he arrived with another member of the team to join the detail that was already working with the Vice President, another agent stopped them and asked if they could deliver it. They'd just cleared security and he recognized him as someone who'd delivered items from the location where mail was inspected by the Secret Service, so he didn't question it. We followed them on the cameras and King never opened the box or stopped in his movements. The pair walked to Mrs. Cope's desk, gave her the box, and continued to the Vice President's office, where they remained until he left the premises. Everything we can see would lead us to believe King had no connection to the package."
Bella heaved a sigh of relief. While Agent King made her uncomfortable, she didn't want to believe he would be a part of this plot, not only because he was still on Vice President McCarty's detail, but because it would mean Edward might have missed something. And no matter how King may have looked in all the investigations Edward did, it would have eaten Edward alive to know he'd left her vulnerable.
"Thank you, Agents. If this office can do anything to assist in your investigation, you need only ask."
"Well, we do have the matter of SA Pace's plan," Agent Jackson added.
"Garrett, what is this plan of yours?"
"With this new evidence, we have proof that the events of last year and last night are connected. My thought was, we should hold a press conference and announce that. Let the world know there are entities who are still actively attacking the Office of the Presidency and those who hold it. The American people have been an extraordinary resource in the past. They may see something we never could."
"That would be thousands of leads to track," Edward remarked.
"And we're prepared to chase down each one if it means closing this case," Agent Jackson responded.
"There's more," Alice chimed in.
"What else is pressing this morning?" Isabella asked.
"The press conference is scheduled for 6 o'clock this morning, and the CNN field producer is on his way to meet with you. We've got that meeting scheduled right before you deliver the news, so if he decides to play hardball, he'll be cut off at the knees by the announcement."
"Very good. Has anyone reached out to Former First Lady Clearwater to let her know what will be announced this morning?"
"She was notified about an hour ago. Mrs. Clearwater knew that more details would come to light at some point, but she appreciated the heads-up so the children could remain home today," Agent Trent informed.
"Thank you. If there is nothing else, I'd like to get ready for my meeting and the press conference that will follow."
When everyone fell silent, Isabella stood and the room rose with her. They left and, without turning, she called out for her staff to follow. Once the door to the Oval Office closed, she turned to everyone assembled.
"Do I have a speech written?" she asked.
"Yes," Teeny said as she handed her the tablet.
Bella sat down to review it. "Is there anything else I need to know?"
"We believe it is best to get ahead of the matter of your relationship with Edward, but we didn't want to take action until we spoke to you both."
"I say we see what I can get from the CNN producer. If they're willing to work with us, fine, if not, there's someone else we could sit down with."
"Who did you have in mind?" Alice asked.
"Sean Henry. Reach out to his team and see if he is still in DC. I'm assuming his plan was to fly home today, but let's see if we can get ahead of this. He's not traditional media, and he was at the Correspondents' Dinner, so if they go forward with the footage, we can have a discussion about the night as a whole, then speak about the relationship."
"And how will you be broaching that subject?" Riley pushed.
Isabella placed her left hand on top of the desk, making it clear what her status was. "I will explain that I'm recently engaged to my long-time boyfriend, who happens to be a member of my protective detail after being a member of the former president's detail. Edward will need to contact Fitzwilliam to discuss things on their end, but we are not hiding or acting ashamed. We've done nothing wrong."
"I'll prepare statements for when the news breaks, but I think we should have Carmen take some photos today to go along with the official announcement," the Press Secretary informed her boss. Her fingers were already flying across her phone screen, which reminded Isabella that she hadn't looked at the speech yet.
She took a few moments to read and review it, nodding when she was done. "What are you thinking of as a location for the speech?"
"We were setting up the East Room. It has ties to the Funeral, which will be poignant, but also allows you to meet with the producer here and go straight to the press conference," Riley added.
"That works for me. It seems I have about forty-five minutes to make myself camera-ready, so I'm going to do that. Then, we can move forward with our day. You're all dismissed."
Alice walked up to Isabella and the pair entered her private bathroom. "How do you feel about all of this?"
"I hate that our hand is being forced, and that Sue and the kids are having to relive the trauma of what they experienced. Edward and I have discussed marriage more than once, and he had the ring ready."
"I would suggest not wearing it for the meeting with CNN, but you can put it on for the press conference if you want."
"I'm going to wait until I'm done with all media contact before putting it back on," Isabella said as she began to do her makeup. "Do we know who the producer is?"
"Casey Charles."
"Well, Mr. Charles will be a bit shocked by how this meeting goes."
With her ring securely in her suit pocket, Isabella finished her hair and makeup and returned to the Oval Office just a few minutes before the producer was due to arrive.
"I'm going to stay until after the press conference to make sure everything goes smoothly, and then Pamela will take over."
"Good idea. I'll be telling everyone that once I leave for my interview, the offices will be closed. That will allow those who've been up since last night a chance to rest. We'll keep essential people only and move on from there."
"I'll make sure everyone is aware."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Let him in," she said to Garrett.
Garrett checked with the agents outside, then opened the door to allow Mr. Charles in.
He was an older man than she'd expected, with a ring of white hair still clinging to his head and piercing dark eyes. She could tell by the way his eyes scanned the room that this man didn't miss a thing, and did nothing by accident.
"Mr. Charles, good to meet you."
"You as well, Madam President. I never thought I would be so honored," he said, lowering himself into the seat across from her desk.
"Well, it isn't everyday that a field producer for CNN makes threats against the President of the United States."
He stuttered, his mouth opening and closing several times, as if he weren't expecting to be called out so suddenly. "It was never meant to be threatening. We're simply striving to share the truth with the American people."
"You have footage of the events after the room was cleared, when the bomb squad and Secret Service were working to keep me alive. And since I didn't perish in an explosion, you think you have something salacious to share for a ratings grab. If it tanks my political efforts, all the better, am I correct?"
"What we have is—"
"A private moment. The fact that it was shared in a room filled with people who work with us should let you know that it wasn't a dirty little secret, but your spin would likely do so. The fact of the matter is, much larger things are afoot, and if you go forward and release that footage, you will be the one who comes across as a fool."
"Those are a lot of assumptions from someone who asked for this meeting," he continued to bluster.
"Have you brought the footage? Are you prepared to discuss a suitable timeline for the release of this information?"
"You seem to know what it is, and I won't be bullied into pulling the story," he spat angrily.
"Then we have nothing left to discuss. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a press conference to attend. SA Pace, please have someone show Mr. Charles out."
Isabella stood and the man jumped to his feet. An agent from the hall entered and took the producer out of the room before the President and her entourage made their way to the East Room.
With the room full of reporters already in place, she took her spot behind the podium and waited for the flashes to stop and the teleprompter to roll.
"My fellow Americans, at last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner, we witnessed an attempted attack on me and on the office of the Presidency. An explosive device was found and is currently being processed by the FBI, but in the hours following the event, something far more sinister was discovered. We now have concrete proof that last night was not an isolated incident. A person or persons have made what has been confirmed to be the second assassination attempt on a President in the past thirteen months."
The gasps of the press corps gave her a moment to collect herself.
"There were many unanswered questions about the events leading to the death of President Clearwater, and last night, the largest one was answered. His death was an intentional act, and those responsible are still at large. We hope that this break in the case will allow the authorities to close in on those responsible, but this was information that couldn't be withheld from the American people. I send my love and support to the Clearwaters at this time, and ask for the assistance of our citizens as the FBI releases information that may help us find the parties behind these heinous acts. May God bless the brave members of law enforcement working hard every day to keep us safe and our government running, and God Bless America."
Isabella stood for another moment to allow them to capture a few final images, then she turned and walked back down the hallway, ready to begin her day.