Page 11 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

It’s up to me, Nick thought, whether the U.S. secretary of State traveled to Iran on a mission to calm a potentially dangerous situation for the U.S. and the rest of the world. “What specifically did President Nelson instruct the secretary to do?”

Teresa went through the list of concerns and demands that the secretary would take with him.

“What about sanctions?” Nick asked.

“They’re on the table if diplomacy fails,” Teresa said.

Nick nodded. “Tell him to go ahead.”

Hanigan picked up the phone to pass along Nick’s order.

“If there’s anything I can do to assist in the transition, I’m at your service, sir,” Teresa said.

“Thank you, Teresa.”

She shook his hand before she left the room.

It would also be up to him whether to retain Nelson’s staff, cabinet and advisers or to bring in his own people. He’d give them the opportunity to resign if they wished to, and go forward from there. Nelson’s team would be loyal to the late president, not him. He didn’t want anyone working for him who didn’t want to be there, or who’d be unable to transfer their loyalties to him.

When Hanigan hung up the phone, he said, “All set. Ruskin will leave as scheduled in the morning.”

“I’d like to call Terry to notify him of what’s happened.” Nick referred to his chief of staff, Terry O’Connor. “Is there any reason why I shouldn’t do that?”

“Not that I can think of, but of course please ask him to keep it under wraps until we’ve prepared the official statement for the media. Our primary goal is to get Mrs. Nelson here and swear you in. After that, we’ll release the video of you taking the oath along with information about President Nelson’s death. I don’t have to tell you how important it is that this story gets released on our timeline and not someone else’s. Thankfully, the press corps presence is light tonight with it being a holiday.”

Nick certainly understood the importance of optics at a time like this. “I’d still like to call Terry and my communications director, Trevor Donnelly.”

“Mr. Vice President, you’re the boss. You can call anyone you want as long as you trust them to be discreet.”

“I’d trust them both with my life.”

“Please feel free to use my office.”

“I’ll go to my own, but thank you.” Nick left Hanigan’s office and encountered Brant outside, waiting for him as always. “Sorry to interrupt your holiday, Brant.”

“No such thing as holidays in my line of work, sir.”

Nick had grown to like the earnest young man charged with leading his detail and considered him a friend. “What a night.”

“Indeed, sir.”

They walked to the vice president’s office together. He didn’t feel right using the Oval Office until he’d taken the oath and the staff had the chance to remove President Nelson’s personal effects.

“I’ll be here for a few minutes before I rejoin Sam and Scotty in the East Room.”

“Yes, sir.”

Nick went into his office and closed the door. The first thing he did was reach for his cell phone to text Sam. Be back in a few.

We’re fine, she replied. Take your time.

She was so calm. So unnaturally calm that it had to be shock. Her mind was probably racing the same way his was with details, scenarios and concerns. So many concerns.

He picked up the extension on his desk and put through the call to Terry, who answered on the second ring.

“Mr. Vice President.” No matter how many times Nick told him to call him by his first name, Terry rarely did. “Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.”

“We did, until about an hour ago when Hanigan called to tell me President Nelson had passed away.”