Sean said, “The FBI is investigating. I’m not sure there’s anything we can do that they can’t.”
“I threw a birthday party for Willa at Camp David. Pam was there, W
illa’s friends, her brother and sister. It was a very special day for a very special girl.”
“She is special,” Sean agreed.
“To think that on the same day of that wonderful celebration this… this horror would have happened.” She suddenly stared at Sean. “I want
you to find Willa. And the people responsible for this.”
He swallowed nervously. “It’s a federal investigation. We can’t get in the middle of that. They’ll eat us for lunch.”
“You helped me once, Sean, and I’ve never forgotten that. I know I have no right to ask, but I desperately need your help again.”
“But the FBI?”
She waved a dismissive hand. “I’m sure they’re very good. But it goes without saying that because of Willa’s relationship to me this will very quickly become a political punching bag.”
“How could anyone make the murder of a mother and the kidnapping of her child political?” Michelle asked.
Jane gave her a smile that came awfully close to condescending. “We’re in the middle of a reelection campaign. This town specializes in making the apolitical political, Michelle. There are no limits to the depths to which some people will go.”
“And you think that might influence the FBI’s investigation?” Sean said.
“I don’t want to take the chance that the answer to that question is yes. I want people with only one agenda. Finding out the truth. Without smears. Without spin. Which means I want you. ”
“Do you have any idea why someone would have done this, Mrs. Cox?” asked Michelle.
“I can’t think of anyone.”
Sean suggested, “How about the usual suspects? A terrorist group? The First Family is too well protected so they go against a softer target.”
“If so, we should hear some group taking responsibility then, or a demand of some kind,” added Michelle.
“We might soon. What does the president think?” asked Sean.
“He’s as worried and concerned as I am.”
“I meant does he have any idea who might have done this?’
“I don’t believe so, no.”
Sean added in a delicate tone, “Does he know you’re meeting with us?”
“I see no reason for him to know, at least not right now.”
“With all due respect, your Secret Service detail knows, ma’am,” said Michelle.
“I believe I can rely on them to be discreet.”
Michelle and Sean exchanged a nervous glance. There wasn’t a Secret Service agent alive who would intentionally hide anything from the president. That would be career suicide, discretion notwithstanding.
“Okay,” said Sean. “But if we’re going to look into this thing, our involvement may come out at some point.”
Michelle interjected, “If it does we can claim we’re just doing it because Sean is a friend of the family and was actually there when it happened. In fact they tried to kill me. So maybe we hang our hat on that.”
Sean nodded and glanced at Jane. “We can play it that way, certainly.”