I blink. I don’t move.
Who the fuck told her that?
Nobody else knows, not even my secretary, not even Charles.
Nobody knows, except for the Secret Service. And they’re sworn to secrecy. It’s in their fucking name.
Too bad the Secret Service is made up of people, and people fuck up.
Just like last time. Only the Secret Service knew.
It’s crystal clear to me now.
We have a fucking leak.
“We’ve been working on healthcare together,” I finally manage to say. “As you know, she’s a talented young staffer. I thought I cleared this up already, Linda.”
Wrong move. I should’ve fucking denied, and I know it as soon as the words leave my lips. Linda’s eyes light up.
She wasn’t fucking sure.
“So you confirm that you’re still seeing her?”
“Like I said. Maggie is a talented pollster, and she’s been getting data for me on healthcare implementations. We’ve been working late because I’ve been busy with the current crisis in Pakistan during the day. As it turns out, Linda, the President has to work pretty hard at all hours of the day and night.”
The press corps laughs at that, and I quickly take a new question, moving back to healthcare. But I can see the tightness in Linda’s eyes.
She fucking knows.
I don’t know how much, but she knows something’s not right.
And she’s not going to stop until she digs it all up. Every ugly fucking detail.
God damn it.
If it had been any other reporter, I wouldn’t worry too much. News moves fast and most reporters forget about this sort of stuff. But not Linda.
She has a reputation. She’s dogged, intense. She never backs down when there’s a whiff of news.
I finish the questions and leave soon after. My security detail comes with me, but I suddenly don’t feel so safe around them.
My mind’s buzzing. Ramirez? Someone else I’m not sure about?
Charles joins me as we head back to the White House. I don’t know where he even came from, but he materializes out of thin air.
“It’s almost like we’ve had this discussion before,” he says.
I stop and turn to him. “Find the leak,” I say.
He frowns. “How?”
“Someone on my security detail has been talking to Linda. Find out who and get rid of him. Do you hear me? One week, or you’re finished.”
He stares at me, eyes hard.
I stare back. I’m not fucking blinking.
I’m angry as hell.
“I’ll get it done,” he grunts, and heads off.
I nod and start back toward my office.
I have work to do. Even if there is a fucking traitor on my staff.13MaggieI don’t know which is bigger news: Adam talking about universal healthcare on the Senate floor, or his admission that I’ve been seeing him in secret, late-night, off-the-books meetings.
It’s madness. My phone blows up again, Roger glares at me, even Iris seems impressed.
“So, is it true?” she asks me, crouching down next to my desk.
“No,” I hiss, though I hate myself for lying.
“Oh, come on. It looks pretty bad. I mean, that first time, yeah, it was work. But you’re still going in there?”
“It’s for work,” I say, sighing. “Seriously, Iris. I’ve been working on the healthcare stuff with him. You know that.”
“I know. But still. He’s…”
I wave my hand at her. “He’s hot. I get it.”
She grins. “So nothing?”
“Nothing.”
“Fine, be that way. Don’t tell me.” She shrugs and walks off.
I sit at my desk and I try to do my work. I try, and I fail, but at least I try.
Everyone leaves for the day. I stay seated, not moving. Eventually, Roger stops by.
“You should go home,” he says pointedly.
“I have more work to do.” I meet his gaze coolly.
He frowns and sighs. “Listen, Maggie. I don’t know what you’re caught up in, but if there’s something, uh, bad going on, and you need help…” He trails off awkwardly.
It takes me a second to realize that he’s offering to help me if the President is taking advantage of me.
I soften toward him instantly. That’s no small accusation, and no small offer.
“I’m fine,” I say. “Honestly. It’s okay.”
He shrugs. “Sure, sure. Well, good night.”
He walks off. I sit there, staring after him, and shake my head.
What a crazy freaking day.
But of course, it’s not over. I stay at my desk, distracting myself with a book. I’m not going to get any work done now, and I’m not going to pretend.
My phone rings right around nine. This time, it’s not his secretary.
It’s just him, plain old him.
“Come see me,” he whispers.
“Where?”
“Residence. Do you remember how you got in last time?”
“I do,” I say.
“Ramirez will meet you. Don’t talk to the other agents.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain soon. Come see me.”
He hangs up the phone.
I hesitate. I think about giving all this up, going home.
But of course, there’s no real choice here. I know what I have to do.
I get up and I head outside, walking quickly.