Chapter 3
Air Force One touched down at Andrews Air Force Base just after five a.m. The President's motorcade sat on the tarmac, while the vehicles that had been hers just yesterday were unloaded from the Starlifter Cargo Plane by Air Force personnel.
Bella watched as the men who had been her protective detail moved in formation to get everything ready for her to deplane.
"Isabella?" Carlisle whispered behind her.
"Once I step off this plane, everything will be different."
"Any details?" Carlisle asked.
"No. I was just warned that a lot of changes are coming."
"I'm sure. And that will all start in the morning. Did you get any sleep on the flight?" Carlisle asked.
"A little. I'm hoping to get a few hours before I need to be around people. I'm not even sure when the state funeral will begin. I guess those are all things I'll learn later today."
"You have the support of your cabinet and staff. We'll help you through the days to come."
"Sadly, this isn't something that's new to me," she whispered.
"Madam President, we're ready for you," Garrett said.
Bella descended from Air Force One and was whisked into her waiting limo. Garrett sat in the front passenger seat, while Edward was in one of the other vehicles. They traveled quickly in the early morning, arriving at Number One Observatory Circle.
A few agents were stationed inside when Bella was ushered through the doors. She was surprised to see boxes were already being assembled.
"Garrett, Edward, can I speak with you for a moment in my office?"
"Yes, Ma'am," they answered in unison.
The three of them walked through the hallway that led to the office.
Once they were inside she turned to them. "These men?"
Edward stepped forward. "They're part of my team from the field office. I have sent a message to all members of both Protective Details and of the White House Detail. Director Fitzwilliam will be there when we go over assignment changes with everyone, but no one who was classified as being compromised is currently on duty. I thought after that meeting, we could introduce you to your new teams and I will go over those who have been reassigned. Some will be on temporary hold until a Vice President is confirmed, but we will have everything settled."
"Good. I want to know who I'll be interacting with and who has been removed. If there is anyone you're wary of, I expect to be informed. Now, I would like a few hours to myself before I need to go to the White House and face this."
"Understood. Bravo Team will remain with you until after the meeting, then Alpha will take over so those men can get some rest. In the early days, I want to do shorter shifts so everyone is sharp when they're with you. Especially with the various events surrounding the State Funeral."
"Any word on when that will begin?"
"Former President Clearwater was made a top priority, obviously, so his autopsy was completed while we were flying back to the States. His funeral proceedings will begin in the East Room the morning of the twentieth. Your staff will likely make that announcement at some point this morning," Edward informed her.
"Are Sue and the kids still in residence?"
"Yes, they're overseeing the packing of their belongings while a secure house is being found for them to relocate to."
"If they choose not to return to the reservation, could they at least temporarily use the Vice President's residence? It already has the built in security required and it would be close enough that the kids could continue with school."
"I'll bring that up with their teams. Thankfully, there were no changes that needed to be made there."
"I would like to speak with Sue today, before everything begins tomorrow."
"That is easy enough to arrange. Don't worry about anything else for the moment. I'm going to the White House to make sure everything is in place," Edward said before turning to his colleague. "Garrett, stick close to Phoenix."
"Phoenix? You're picking my codename now? I thought that was my job," Bella countered.
"We thought it was one you would like. It was in the running last time before you went with Sparrow," Garrett responded. "If you would like us to change it, we haven't made that known to any other agents yet."
"It's fine, Garrett. I was always partial to it, and it seems I've risen from the ashes of this tragedy to lead the nation."
"Very well, Ma'am," Garrett told her.
"Is Donut all right with all this commotion?"
Garrett smiled, "The agents said he bolted for your room and hasn't been seen or heard from since."
"I'm going to take a nap. I will see you all in a few hours."
Isabella walked to the door. As she knew would happen, Garrett followed close behind. Normally, she had more freedom within the residence, but with all the outside agents, he would be on her six until his shift ended. She made a quick detour to the living room where most of the agents were congregated.
"I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your hard work. I have no doubt this has been a long night for you, but your commitment to your job is admirable and has not gone unnoticed."
Murmured thanks came from the men then, with a nod to Garrett, the two of them went upstairs to the residence. Bella changed into something comfortable to sleep in then curled up in the large four poster bed.
The dip of the mattress with the weight of Donut as he sauntered up the bed and head butted her temple brought a small bit of peace.
"A lot is going to be changing. We have to stick together, Mister."
The deep, rumbling purr as he settled in beside her was enough to lull her to sleep.
An alarm Bella didn't remember setting woke her up a few hours later. It was obvious that Athenodora had been in the room while she'd been sleeping.
Donut stretched and resumed his casual pose while Bella sat up to begin her day. She couldn't lounge around like her Maine Coon all day.
Bella showered and took extra time getting ready, picking a black suit and gray blouse, low heels, and understated makeup. She made sure her hair looked perfect with a pair of plain hair combs pulling the hair away from her face. The stir that particular accessory had created on the campaign trail had been absurd at the time, but the public came to realize it was something she'd done since she was a child, and moved onto their newest fixation.
She emerged from her bedroom and found Athenodora standing across from her door.
"Ma'am, I've given very specific instructions to the agents packing the residence. They will take care of everything except your private quarters, which can be managed in the evenings. We can also go over matters of design changes and such at that time. We have every hope we'll be able to manage the transition smoothly and have you in residence by the morning of the funeral."
"That's not much time, but I have every faith in you. Is breakfast ready downstairs?"
"It should be. We can go down now," Athenodora looked to Garrett who gave a polite nod.
"You look like you're half asleep, Gar. How are you doing?"
"Nothing a cup of coffee won't fix. But I'll be able to rest as soon as Alpha Team takes over."
The trio walked downstairs and Bella was promptly presented with an omelet, bacon, and toast. She ate quickly, never having gotten used to an audience that would never join her, then they departed.
The drive to the White House was met with no traffic, the roads blocked off as they made their way past the familiar buildings, all displaying their lowered flags for their departed President. After pulling into the North Portico, she was ushered inside and the building buzzed.
Well-traveled hallways led her from the entrance she'd used to the staff office just outside the Oval Office. The staff all stood at her arrival and she smiled at them.
"I know today will be a difficult one for all of us, but as we go through this transition I want you to know that every care will be taken to find positions for as many of you as wish to remain. For now, Miss Brandon will be working with you to manage this in the days and weeks to come. Any questions or concerns can be brought directly to her."
Bella looked to Samuel, who opened the door to the Oval Office. She entered and saw a few dozen men standing at attention, her current detail joining them once the door closed.
Edward stepped forward and motioned to the desk. "Madam President, if you would take a seat, we'll begin."
Bella did as she was told.
Then, he cleared his throat to speak. "Everyone has been briefed on the changes to the staff, but now, I would like to introduce you to the primary members of your new protection details. Alpha Team will consist of myself, Liam, Samuel, Eleazar, and Marcus. Bravo Team will be Garrett, Phil, Jared, Afton, and Toshiro. Embry, Alistair, and Demetri have been permanently moved to the White House detail, while Felix, Royce, and Paul are temporarily on the White House detail. They'll become part of the Vice President's detail, once you've selected someone to take on that position. Do you have any questions for us, Ma'am?"
"Not at the moment."
Edward turned to his men. "Alpha Team will be taking over so Bravo can get some sleep. Samuel, you were with Phoenix in Italy. If you want, I can have someone temporarily relieve you."
"I was able to sleep on the flight. I'll be fine, Agent Masen, thank you."
"Glad to hear it. Bravo, you're off-duty. Alpha, assume your positions. The rest of you are dismissed."
Bella watched while the men moved into position. A distinct knock alerted everyone to the arrival of her Chief of Staff. After confirmation from the agents outside, she was allowed in as the remaining agents left.
Alice looked around and then moved to stand in front of Isabella. "Would you like to sit on the sofas or remain at the desk while we go over everything?"
"Why don't we move to the sofas?"
Once they were settled beside each other, Alice pulled out two tablets and handed Isabella hers. "There's so much work we need to get through in the next two weeks. I've spoken to Athenodora about the move. I think that's best, but someone will need to speak with Sue about all the changes. I know she's been briefed generally, but it might be better if she learns some of these things from you. You have some time before the cabinet meeting where you could go up to the residence."
"I'd like that. I want to offer my condolences and assistance."
"She'll appreciate that. Sue had asked when you would be stateside, and we were vague, but told her it would be today at some point. The biggest thing will be matters of staffing. There are some positions that will become redundant, so we'll need a plan for that."
"If any members of our staff or Harry's want to leave, we'll grant their wish. I'll allow you to go through the remaining staff, then we'll discuss your thoughts on the candidates and make a final decision. Anyone who is displaced by this should be assisted as best as we can to find them suitable positions. I don't want this tragedy to cost people their livelihoods."
"I can handle that. Since we need to do a lot of coordinating, especially with regards to moving you, I'll be staying at the residence so we can discuss some things in a more relaxed setting and make sure everything that needs to be handled, is."
"Any news on the funeral?"
"A representative from the Army's Military District of Washington will be by later this afternoon to discuss all of that with you. They need to finalize a few things with the Former First Lady prior to that."
"Understood. I have a feeling there is a stack of messages and a long list of calls to return."
"That there is," Alice acknowledged. "We're all here for you, Isabella. If you need anything from me, all you have to do is ask."
" I'm eternally grateful for that. But for now, I'd like to focus on work."
"Then I will inform them to begin returning calls you missed this morning, Ma'am."
Isabella watched as her friend and advisor walked out of the room and stood to return to her desk. Her eyes met Edward's for the briefest of moments before the ringing of her telephone broke the connection. She walked swiftly to the desk and answered it, hearing the voice of the operator for the White House on the line.
"Madam President, I've got the Prime Minister of Canada on the line for you."
"Thank you, put him through."