"I'll call it in right now. Good work, Lieutenant."

"While you're at it, do a run on a Bruce Jones. About forty, stocky, dark hair and eyes. He says he's the manager of the motel."

"Got it."

"We're going to notify Lind's wife, and then we'll be back to HQ with the girls."

"What's your plan there?"

"Not sure yet, but one of them looks really familiar. I had a feeling I needed to get them out of there."

"Your feelings are usually worth paying attention to. See you when you get back."

When Sam ended the call, Freddie let out a deep sigh. "Another wife to inform. I hate this case."

"Me too." Sam got into the car and turned to her passengers. After asking them to trust her, she didn't feel right about sending them to HQ with someone else. "We have an errand to do in Bethesda, and then we'll go to my office to talk, okay?"

Ginger nodded, her mouth set in a grim expression that belied her youth.

Taking her cues from Ginger, Amber followed suit.

"Just relax," Sam added. "You're not in any trouble. I promise." She had a million questions to ask them, but wanted to be careful with two obviously fragile young women, who might even still qualify as girls.

In deference to their passengers, Sam and Freddie were quiet on the ride to Bethesda.

"Who was the guy in the motel room?" Ginger asked, breaking the silence.

Sam glanced in the rearview mirror. "Had you seen him before?"

Ginger lowered her eyes as her face flushed with color. "Once."

Returning her attention to the road, she bit back the flood of questions she wanted to ask.

"Who was he?"

"Rick Lind, a relief pitcher with the D.C. Feds."

"Oh."

Sam looked in the mirror again and noted the sorrow etched into the young face staring back at her. She pressed harder on the gas pedal, wanting to get to Bethesda and back to HQ as soon as possible.

The drone of engines was the only sound in the guest section of Air Force One as it hurtled toward Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan. President Nelson and his entourage would meet with U.S. troops stationed in the war zone as well as the Afghani president. Nelson was locked in a dogfight with his Republican challenger, and the trip had been initiated to feature him as commander in chief in the waning days of the campaign.

Nick had never been on such a long flight, but the accommodations were so comfortable it was easy to forget he was on an airplane. He'd been given VIP treatment that included a tour of the president's quarters in the front of the plane, an amazing gourmet meal and an extra box of the souvenir M&M's signed by the president to give Scotty.

He couldn't wait to tell his son all about the amazing airplane that ferried the president around and had been making notes of things he didn't want to forget. Mostly he wanted to know how Scotty's school day had gone and whether he'd had any more trouble with Nathan the bully. Nick wanted to know how Graham's statement had gone over with the media and what Christina was hearing on the political front. And he really wished he could hear from his wife while he was away.

The lack of information was making him feel a bit twitchy, even though he understood the need for radio silence as the president jetted into a war zone. Despite what he'd said to Sam, Nick was a tiny bit anxious about the potential danger of landing in Afghanistan. They'd arrive under the cover of darkness, which offered a measure of comfort.

Nick heard a stir outside the guest cabin door before it opened to admit White House Chief of Staff Tom Hanigan. Roughly fifty with prematurely gray hair, Hanigan was intense and focused at all times.

"I apologize for disturbing you, Senator."

"You're not disturbing me."

"The president would like a few minutes."

Nick stood and ran his fingers through his hair, seeking to bring some order to it. "I'm wearing jeans. Is that okay?"

Hanigan spared him a rare smile. "So is he. Right this way."

Outside the president's suite, Hanigan stopped and turned to Nick. "How's Derek?"

"Better."

"We miss him. I hope he'll come back to work after the election."

"I think he will. He just needed some time to adjust to the new normal."

"There are times when I hate this business," Hanigan said. "Finding out what'd happened to Victoria-and why-was one of the worst moments of my career. And my life."

"Mine too."

"Let him know I'm thinking of him, will you?"

"I'd be happy to. I know he appreciates that you've held his job for him."

"Of course we did. He's the only one in the West Wing who can manage you people on the Hill."

Nick laughed at the veiled insult, knowing it had been said in jest. "Ouch."

Smiling, Hanigan knocked on the door to the president's onboard office, which Nick had seen earlier, and led Nick into the room.

"Senator," Nelson said, standing when Nick walked in. He extended a hand that Nick stepped forward to shake. To say it was surreal to be meeting with the president while in flight on Air Force One would be putting it mildly. "Thanks, Tom," Nelson said. "I'll take it from here."

"As you wish, Mr. President."

Hanigan departed, the door clicking shut behind him.

"Have a seat," Nelson said, gesturing to two upholstered chairs that sat adjacent to the desk. "Drink?"

"I wouldn't say no to some bourbon."

"That sounds good to me too."

The president poured them each a couple of fingers and handed one of the glasses to Nick. "Are you enjoying the trip so far?"

"It's an incredible thrill. Thank you for inviting me to come along."

"My pleasure." Nelson was tall with silver hair and startling blue eyes that reminded Nick of Sam's. He sat next to Nick. "I understand you're tied up in this Lexicore business."

"I take it Graham has made his statement."

"Indeed. You did the right thing dumping the stock as soon as you heard about it. I think you'll be okay with the voters. We're hearing most investors were unaware of Lex's ties to the factory in Thailand."

"It disgusts me to have been part of what happened there, even in an indirect way."

"Graham did a good job of conveying your grief over Senator O'Connor's death and the money you came into afterward. You don't have anything to worry about."

"And yet still I worry."

"I can't believe this is your first election. You're a seasoned pro."

"That's quite a compliment coming from you, Mr. President."

"Your family is well?"

"Yes, sir. The Secret Service is keeping a close eye on us in light of the threats Parsons' supporters made after his arrest."

"I understand you've added a son to the family."

Nick smiled, thinking of Scotty and the happiness he'd brought to their lives. "Yes, a twelve-year-old who was in state custody in Virginia. I met him on a campaign stop in Richmond and was instantly captivated. He's an amazing kid."

"You've done a wonderful thing for him."

"It's nothing when compared to what he's done for us."

"Nick... Do you mind if I call you Nick?"

"By all means. Please."

"I wanted to speak to you about something highly confidential. I hope I can count on your discretion."

"Of course."

Seeming troubled, Nelson took a drink from his glass. "Vice President Gooding has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor."

"Oh my God. That's awful. I'm so sorry."

"I am too. He and I go way back. I'm heartbroken for him and his family." He glanced at Nick, his gaze piercing. "He's going to resign after the election, which leaves me in need of a vice president. Your name has been mentioned many, many times, and I thought it was about time someone mentioned it to you."

Nick stared at him, flabbergasted. Was he dreaming this? "Well, I... I have no idea what to say."

"I can see I've blindsided you."

"Just a bit," Nick said with a laugh. And he'd thought being on the plane was surreal!

"Let me be honest with you, Nick. You're well aware of how brutal the reelection campaign has been. I think we'll win but not by much. There's still a lot I want to get done and only two years before the midterm elections. I don't want to spend half a year recovering from the election. Adding a vice president with your approval ratings would go a long way toward repairing some of the campaign damage."

"I'm honored to be considered."

"But?"

"You've met my wife," Nick said with a wry smile. "Can you picture her as the second lady of the United States?"

"The gun and cuffs might have to go," Nelson said, returning Nick's smile.

"We've just brought a child into our home. While the transition has been smooth, it's not without challenges. I'm not sure this would be the right time to ask so much of my family."

"All fair concerns. It is a lot to ask of our loved ones. At times, I wouldn't blame Gloria for hoping I lose the election. We're both exhausted from the endless campaign and the grueling four years that preceded it."

"It's not for the faint of heart."

"No, it isn't. Here's the thing, Nick. The party is impressed with you-and most of us are damned envious of your numbers. I have no doubt at all that you'll be a contender in four years, whether I win or lose next week. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that if you come on board as my VP, it all but assures your status as the party's heir apparent."

"And it doesn't matter that I've only been a senator for a year?"

"You've been in this business for more than a decade on the staff side, and you really struck a chord with people at the convention. We've done some polling, and your national numbers are exceptional. The people like you."

Nick's head spun as he attempted to process the enormity of what the president was asking of him-and what he was offering. They'd polled about him nationally? Unreal.

"Take some time," Nelson said. "Think about it. Nothing will happen until after the election. But I'll be looking to move quickly to fill the spot, and you're the guy I want." The president stood to indicate the meeting was over.

Nick stood and shook the hand he offered. "I'm truly humbled by the offer."

"Get in touch with Tom after the election. We'll be waiting for your call."

"Thank you, Mr. President."

He made his way from the front of the plane to the guest cabin, located just behind the wings.

Eric, one of the Secret Service agents, rose as he came into the cabin. "May I have a word, Senator?" He pointed to the empty back of the cabin and let Nick go ahead of him.

Nick was immediately on guard against whatever Eric might have to tell him.

"I received word from a member of your son's detail that there was an incident at your house this morning involving the Lieutenant and one of her MPD colleagues."

"What kind of incident?" Nick asked, trying to remain calm. Like there was anything he could do for his wife when he was on his way to the other side of the world.

Eric detailed the confrontation with Lieutenant Stahl.

"Is she okay?"

"She sustained abrasions on her neck and throat, but Stahl got the worst of it. He was treated for a ruptured testicle and a broken kneecap."

Nick couldn't help the smile that found its way to his lips. "Good for her."