Read Online I Do Solemnly Swear by D.M. Annechino - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: D.M. Annechino
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“Kate, I didn’t discourage David from entering the presidential campaign. He was much too enthusiastic. From the moment he took the oath, I silently feared for his life. It waslike being married to a policeman or fireman. Each morning, I wondered if today would be the last day we’d share. His idealistic platform won the hearts of Americans. But it alienated many people—too many, perhaps. One man, no matter how determined, cannot take on the most powerful people in the world and not expect consequences. David laughed when I suggested he not try to save the world single-handedly. He used to say, ‘One day, my face is going to be carved into Mount Rushmore, right next to Teddy Roosevelt.’”
Elizabeth paused for a moment. Kate watched her eyes fill with tears. But suddenly, like some kind of Frankenstein monster being charged with electricity, Elizabeth came to life in a fit of rage. Her face contorted, she clenched her fists, and pounded one on Kate’s desk. “I want the bastards to
die
, Madam President! Life in prison is
much
too humane.
Find them
!
Execute them
!”
Aghast at such a dramatic transformation, Kate sat back in the chair as if Elizabeth were going to strike her. She waited for the wave of emotions to pass. Kate told Elizabeth about the intensive investigation, that she’d appointed a special commission. Kate swore that there would be no mercy; whoever was responsible would pay dearly, that her husband’s death had not been in vain. But Kate couldn’t tell her who, how, or why. Only that an unknown toxin killed him.
“How did you know, Elizabeth? What I’m telling you cannot be a total surprise.”
Elizabeth stared at Kate intently. “Some things, Kate, you just know.”
They parted with a firm embrace. Elizabeth warned President Miles not to trust anyone. Kate promised to be careful. How she’d keep her promise was yet to be determined.
CHAPTER FOUR
Kate quickly learned that the Oval Office could operate more efficiently with a revolving door at the entrance. Nonstop traffic zoomed in and out all day long and often into the evening hours. It served as the nerve center for the Executive Branch. It was an arena where battles were fought, policies argued, a place where relationships were made and careers were ended. Information was integrated into its most concise form and funneled into this throbbing office. It was a pulsating hub of strategy and social commerce.
Every morning at seven a.m., Kate met with McDermott and Olivia Carter. A staff of twenty-five watched the world with a discriminating eye. They examined seventeen major newspapers, eight magazines, twenty-two political blogs, and several TV news programs with an emphasis on FOX News, MSNBC, and CNN. Their only task was to gather information. Every worthy event was evaluated, validated, and then compacted into synopsis form so that the president could get a broad, yet brief, overview of consequential news, anything that affected the United States or its allies.
This was merely the starting gate.
Throughout the day, Cabinet secretaries, members of the Joint Chiefs, the CIA, the FBI, marched in and out of the Oval Office nonstop. Each with their own agenda, they conferred with Kate and tried to convince her to endorse whatever partisan issue was at the top of the heap. More often than not, conflicts of great proportions erupted. Harmony was not the order of business. Kate generally felt like a solitary matador trying to fight a herd of charging bulls.
On this particular day, Kate was enjoying an uncommonly quiet morning. McDermott stormed into the Oval Office without knocking and slammed the door behind him.
“Sorry to bother you, Madam President, but we need to talk.”
Kate leaned back and watched McDermott approach her. His cheeks were flushed. He wasn’t wearing a suit jacket, which was unusual, and it looked like he’d either slept in his cotton shirt or taken it out of the hamper. His hair was disheveled too.
Elizabeth paused for a moment. Kate watched her eyes fill with tears. But suddenly, like some kind of Frankenstein monster being charged with electricity, Elizabeth came to life in a fit of rage. Her face contorted, she clenched her fists, and pounded one on Kate’s desk. “I want the bastards to
die
, Madam President! Life in prison is
much
too humane.
Find them
!
Execute them
!”
Aghast at such a dramatic transformation, Kate sat back in the chair as if Elizabeth were going to strike her. She waited for the wave of emotions to pass. Kate told Elizabeth about the intensive investigation, that she’d appointed a special commission. Kate swore that there would be no mercy; whoever was responsible would pay dearly, that her husband’s death had not been in vain. But Kate couldn’t tell her who, how, or why. Only that an unknown toxin killed him.
“How did you know, Elizabeth? What I’m telling you cannot be a total surprise.”
Elizabeth stared at Kate intently. “Some things, Kate, you just know.”
They parted with a firm embrace. Elizabeth warned President Miles not to trust anyone. Kate promised to be careful. How she’d keep her promise was yet to be determined.
CHAPTER FOUR
Kate quickly learned that the Oval Office could operate more efficiently with a revolving door at the entrance. Nonstop traffic zoomed in and out all day long and often into the evening hours. It served as the nerve center for the Executive Branch. It was an arena where battles were fought, policies argued, a place where relationships were made and careers were ended. Information was integrated into its most concise form and funneled into this throbbing office. It was a pulsating hub of strategy and social commerce.
Every morning at seven a.m., Kate met with McDermott and Olivia Carter. A staff of twenty-five watched the world with a discriminating eye. They examined seventeen major newspapers, eight magazines, twenty-two political blogs, and several TV news programs with an emphasis on FOX News, MSNBC, and CNN. Their only task was to gather information. Every worthy event was evaluated, validated, and then compacted into synopsis form so that the president could get a broad, yet brief, overview of consequential news, anything that affected the United States or its allies.
This was merely the starting gate.
Throughout the day, Cabinet secretaries, members of the Joint Chiefs, the CIA, the FBI, marched in and out of the Oval Office nonstop. Each with their own agenda, they conferred with Kate and tried to convince her to endorse whatever partisan issue was at the top of the heap. More often than not, conflicts of great proportions erupted. Harmony was not the order of business. Kate generally felt like a solitary matador trying to fight a herd of charging bulls.
On this particular day, Kate was enjoying an uncommonly quiet morning. McDermott stormed into the Oval Office without knocking and slammed the door behind him.
“Sorry to bother you, Madam President, but we need to talk.”
Kate leaned back and watched McDermott approach her. His cheeks were flushed. He wasn’t wearing a suit jacket, which was unusual, and it looked like he’d either slept in his cotton shirt or taken it out of the hamper. His hair was disheveled too.
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