Page 47 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

Farnsworth’s warm gaze passed over them. “I was wrong to tell you to stand down on this investigation.”

Sam stared at him, stunned by the confession.

“I was worried about the PR, which was the wrong thing for me to focus on. Saving the lives of Carisma and the others and locking up a dangerous criminal is far more important. While I don’t condone my officers circumventing a direct order, I understand why you did it, and I commend you for doing the right thing by these victims.”

“Thank you, sir,” Jeannie said. “I hope you know that I hold you in the highest regard and would never want to do anything that would cause trouble for you or the department.”

“You’re not the one causing the trouble, Detective. Our old friend Stahl is responsible for this shit storm. Not you. We’ll get through it.”

“Does this mean you want us to look at the rest of the cases?” Sam asked.

“Yes, but I want to be kept fully in the loop so we can anticipate the fallout.”

“Yes, sir. We’ve got a body in Rock Creek Park I’ve got to deal with first,” Sam said.

“I thought you were off this week?”

“So did I. I’m heading back to Camp David later.”

“You might not get there today. Have you seen the weather forecast?”

“No, why?”

“The winter storm watch was just upgraded to a blizzard warning.”

“Mr. President, I’m sorry to interrupt, but we’ve received word from the National Weather Service that the capital region is under a blizzard warning, beginning later tonight,” Brant said. “We’d like to get you back to the White House so you aren’t stuck here in an emergency.”

Nick wanted to weep. Even though Sam was in DC, he wasn’t in any great rush to leave the tranquility or fresh air at Camp David. He’d spent the afternoon sledding with the kids, and just being outside was such an incredible gift. “When are you looking to go?”

“Within the hour.”

It was all he could do not to throw a two-year-old tantrum. “I’ll rally the kids.”

“Thank you, Mr. President.”

Nick got up and went into the bedroom Eli and Scotty were sharing. They each had one of the twins in bed with them as they watched Elf for the tenth time this holiday season. “Guys, I hate to say it, but they want to take us back to the White House because of a blizzard warning.”

When the four of them moaned at the news, Skippy raised her head off the floor to see what was going on.

“Let’s get packed up.”

“Can we come back soon?” Scotty asked.

“God, I hope so,” Nick said.

He received a text from Sam letting him know the press were on the trail of him giving her a ride home from Camp David in Marine One and asking questions. He passed that on to his communications team to deal with.

Nick, the kids, Scotty and the others in their party boarded Marine One just over an hour later, along with Harry, Lilia, Terry and other staffers and Secret Service agents for the ride back to DC.

“Might be a few bumps, Mr. President,” Taco said when he greeted them. “We’ve got some low clouds to contend with.”

“It’s a good thing the first lady isn’t with us,” Nick said.

“No kidding,” Scotty said. “She hates to fly.”

Skippy jumped into his lap for the ride home.

“Don’t worry about a thing,” Taco said. “We’ll get you home safe.”