Page 34 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

Hearing that spelled out so bluntly was like a knife to the heart. “She’ll have a detail.”

“That won’t be enough. You have to try to reason with her.”

“You know my wife. You know who she is, and so do I.”

“I do know, and she’s brilliant at her job. Perhaps she could be convinced to put it on hold for a few years and go back to it after.”

“I can’t ask that of her. It would break her heart. I won’t ask it of her. She married a senator. She sure as hell didn’t sign on for this.” He gestured to the Oval Office and everything it represented. “I can’t ask her to be anything other than who and what she is, even if I’d prefer to keep her swaddled in bubble wrap so nothing can ever happen to her.”

“I understand. I just think you need to prepare yourself for possible pushback from the intelligence and security sectors.”

The thought of that fight made him weary, but he’d go to war for her if that’s what it came to. As much as he’d prefer the bubble wrap, it would make her miserable.

“I won’t take any more of your time, Mr. President. I’m only a phone call away if I can be of service.”

Nick hugged him. “I’ll be calling on you often.”

“I’m at your service.”

Terry walked his father out while Nick returned to the Resolute desk that’d been used by numerous presidents since the Queen of England had gifted it to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880. On the credenza behind the desk, he took note of the array of Nelson family photos. As he picked up a group photo of the Nelsons with their twelve grandchildren, he experienced a wave of sadness for the family’s sudden loss.

The director of Oval Office Operations would be there shortly to begin the transition to making the office Nick’s.

Earlier in the day, he’d received calls from the prime ministers of Canada, the United Kingdom and Israel, the president of Mexico, the chancellor of Germany and other world leaders, offering condolences for President Nelson and support for Nick as he assumed the presidency.

Tom Hanigan appeared in the doorway, carrying a box. “Sorry for the interruption, Mr. President. I thought I’d help out by collecting some of President Nelson’s things.”

“Please come in. Do whatever you need to.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Nick returned the photo to the credenza and stood to give Tom access to the area.

“I met earlier with Terry and Trevor about the address to the nation tonight.”

“Thank you for your help with that and everything else too.”

Hanigan nodded. “People need the reassurance that it’s business as usual during the transition. You’ll need to get a press secretary soon. Trevor can handle it at first, but you’ll want someone permanent. That’s going to be critical. Among many other things.”

This would be, Nick thought, as difficult a transition for Tom Hanigan as it would be for him. He recalled what it’d been like to be going a million miles an hour as chief of staff to a senator, only for everything to stop in a matter of minutes when John was murdered.

“My door is open to you and any suggestions you may have, Tom.”

“You won’t need me. You already have a great team. They’ll take good care of you.”

“Your input will always be welcome.”

“Thank you, sir.” Tom packed up the photos, fountain pen, mementos and the personal files, all of it fitting into a single box that would be saved for the eventual Nelson presidential library. “President Nelson didn’t get a chance to leave the ceremonial letter to his successor, but if I had to guess, he would’ve told you to lead with your heart and take care of the people closest to you. He would’ve said he failed to protect the most important thing—his marriage. He was deeply regretful of the affair and the pain he caused Gloria and his children. He’d been very low since she moved home.”

“There was no evidence he took his own life, was there?”

“No, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we learned that was the case. He wasn’t in a good place lately. It had really begun to sink in that he’d not only ruined his marriage but also his legacy. He would’ve advised you to be careful with both those things.”

A few minutes later, Terry came in with the first cut of Nick’s speech for that evening’s address to the nation.

“I wish you and your family all the best,” Hanigan said.

“Thank you, Tom,” Nick said, shaking the other man’s hand.