Page 76 of Innocent

“Condition of my own,” I belatedly say. “I’m never going to be a yes-man. I won’t bullshit you. I’m going to be the one person who will give you what I feel is the unvarnished truth, even if it’s ugly. If you ask for my opinion—or, sometimes, even when you don’t—I won’t hold back. I will always speak truth to power. Will that be a problem?”

He doesn’t move from the position I ordered him into. “No, Sir. I want the truth. I need someone I know will be my gut-check. That’s another reason I want you in this position, because I trust you like that, too.”

I slowly inhale, biding my time. “Does the flight crew know who I am now?” I keep my voice low, both to avoid being overheard and so he can’t hear the tremor in it.

“Yes, Sir,” he says. “And PPD. I told them you’re coming to work for me as my body man. As soon as we return to DC, the head of my detail will get you a new ID badge and bring it to my residence. I also told them you’re moving in with me permanently.”

“Good boy. Stay there.” I turn and slip out through the door, pulling it closed behind me so no one can see Elliot sitting on the floor, and I signal to one of the PPD agents.

Much in the way the special agent motioned to me earlier, in my office.

The way Leo always motioned to me, summoning me.

“Yes, Mr. Walsh?”

That’sgoing to take some getting used to again, I suppose.

Fake it until I make it.“How long before we take off?”

“Midnight, sir.”

Everyone’s calling me “sir” all of a sudden.

Except Elliot says it with capitalS’s.

I decide to fully channel Leo and maybe a little bit of Kev, too, and it’s eerie to me how easily I can slip into that mode again. “Where’s the press? And staff?”

“They’re being brought back at 2230, sir.”

“How many, total?”

“Twelve staff, I think. No more than fifteen. Another ten to fifteen press. Do you want me to get the roster?”

“No, not necessary. Just wanted a ball-park. I want press restricted to the aft cabin on the return flight. Staff doesn’t come forward, either. The vice president isnotto be disturbed. Everything goes throughmetonight, unless it’s President Samuels, Kevin Markos, or it’s an emergency involving NatSec that I can’t deal with for him.”

“Yes, sir.”

I give him a sharp nod to dismiss him.

Then I motion one of the flight crew over. “Is the galley open?”

“Yes, sir. Can I get you anything?”

“A ham and cheese on wheat, with mayo and mustard, and a couple of cold bottles of water, please.”

“Absolutely, sir. Fries or chips?”

“Chips, please. Regular, not flavored.”

“Anything else?”

“No, thank you. Just that, for now. I’ll be eating in the suite with the vice president.”

“Yes, sir.”

I wait until he’s turned and heading away from me to slip back inside the suite and lock the door. It’ll be too risky doing anything with Elliot right now. The things I plan to do to the man will result in him making some interesting noises, so that’s best delayed until we’re underway and I have the sound of the jet engines to cover our activities.

I leave my jacket and tie on and sit on the sofa where I sat before, my legs spread, and I pat my thigh just loudly enough he can hear me.