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“I mean they are really concerned. They don’t think you can control him and a few of them think you won’t even try.”
Kennedy showed no emotion. Her breathing stayed steady and shallow. She obviously wasn’t the only person who had spent the night strategizing. “Why?”
“They think you have a conflict of interest. That your loyalty to Mitch will cloud your judgment and put you at odds with what is best for the country.”
What was best for the country was debatable, but Kennedy wasn’t here to argue. “I can assure you there is no conflict.”
Haik wasn’t sure if he believed her, but it didn’t matter; he wasn’t the one raising the stink. “I sneaked out early because I wanted to give you some friendly advice. They’re going to come filing in here any minute and you’re not going to like what they have to say.” Haik paused for a second and picked a piece of lint off his trouser leg. “Do yourself a favor and go along with what they want.”
“I get the sense you’re trying to help me, Mike, but your advice seems off the mark.”
“What I’m trying to tell you is that a deal has already been struck. Three cabinet members are in there right now telling the president what has to happen and they say they have more members on board. They’ve got him buttoned up with no room to maneuver. Officially he has no choice but to follow their recommendation.”
Kennedy felt a sickening feeling in her stomach, and she chastised herself for not getting to the president before them. “I’m not sure I can sit here and play nice on this one.”
“You know what a riptide is?”
“Of course.”
“You don’t survive by fighting it. You conserve your energy, you go with the flow, and when the moment is right, you swim parallel to shore.”
“So you want me to just sit here and go with the flow this morning?”
“Not entirely. I think the president would be disappointed if you didn’t state the obvious, but in the end let them have their way.”
“And what will I get in return?”
The door handle to the president’s private dining room started to turn and voices could be heard on the other side. “When this meeting is over go down to the Situation Room. The president would like to speak to you in private.”
The president entered the room first. Kennedy and Haik both stood. President Hayes was six foot one and his salt-and-pepper hair was mostly all salt after three years in office. He came straight across the room and opened his arms. He hugged Kennedy and said, “Irene, I’m so sorry. I know you were very close to them.”
Kennedy stayed stoic. “Thank you, Mr. President.”
The president released her and said, “How’s Mitch doing?”
“He’s resting.”
The president stared at her for a long moment as he tried to imagine what must be going through Rapp’s mind. “This is such a tragedy.” He shook his head and motioned for everyone to take a seat. Haik and Kennedy sat on one couch while Secretary of State Berg, Attorney General Stokes, and Director of National Intelligence Ross sat on the couch across from them. There were two chairs in front of the fireplace. The president took the one on the left, and the vice president took the other one. President Hayes clasped his hands and asked Kennedy, “Have you learned anything since we talked yesterday?”
“Not really, sir.”
“Is it still your opinion that this was a professional hit?”
“Yes it is, sir.”
“Irene.” Director Ross sat forward and addressed Kennedy in a gentle voice. “I’m going to get this out in the open for everyone’s sake. I know this is very difficult for you. You have a personal relationship with Rapp and his wife and this is a horrible tragedy, but while we respect your opinion,” Ross winced as if he was trying to be gentle and then added, “we do not share your conclusion that this was a contract kill.”
Her brown eyes stared straight through him. Everything had changed in less than twenty-four hours. A day ago she had been willing to ignore the man’s mounting flaws, but now she felt genuine hatred coursing through her veins. It took great restraint not to blurt out the obvious—which was that Ross had almost no experience in his current position.
/> “We were briefed by the FBI this morning,” Ross continued, “and we feel that there is not enough evidence to support the theory.”
Kennedy nodded. “You spoke to Special Agent McMahon?”
Ross looked at Attorney General Stokes.
Stokes answered Kennedy by saying, “No, as you know, Director Roach is out of the country so we were briefed by Deputy Director Finn.”
“And has Mr. Finn been to the crime scene?”
