Page 82 of State of Retribution

“Yes, sir.They’re great agents and good people.We’re all happy to hear the news from the hospital.”

“Today was a tough day for you guys, but I hope you know how thankful I am… How incredibly grateful…” Nick’s voice failed him as he was overcome by what could’ve happened.

“We know, sir.Agent McFarland did everything right when it mattered.”

“He sure did, but the fact that it happened in the first place will give me nightmares.”

“Us, too, sir.”

Hearing that his precious wife was involved in a Secret Service worst-case scenario did nothing to settle the disquiet raging within him.

“I’m not sure what to do, Brant.If I ask her to give up the thing that makes her who she is, she’ll never forgive me.But if I don’t, how will I live with myself if something happens to her?”

“It’s a dilemma, to be certain, sir.”

“Do you know what the meeting is about tomorrow?”

“I do, but I’ve been asked to refrain from discussing it until then.”

“I’m sure there’ll be additional agenda items after today.”

“Yes, sir.”

Nick had felt as if he had a thousand-pound weight on his shoulders since the incident on Monday.It had gotten much heavier after today’s events.

When they reached the lobby area, Chief Usher Gideon Lawson was consulting with George, one of the other ushers.

“Good evening, Mr.President.”

Nick nodded to them.“Evening, Gideon and George.”

“We were told that Mrs.Cappuano is on her way home.”

“That’s why I’m here, too.”

“Yes, sir.We’re relieved to hear she’s uninjured and that Agent McFarland is expected to make a full recovery.”

“Me, too.”The understatement of my lifetime.

Sam’s SUV came rolling up the driveway five minutes later.The others moved aside so Nick was the one waiting for her when she came through the door and stepped straight into his embrace.

“Hey,” she said.“Fancy meeting you here.”

“Thanks for coming home.”

“I do what I can for you.”

“Welcome home, Mrs.Cappuano,” Gideon said.

“Thank you,” she said, her gaze including him, George and Brant.

Nick put his arm around her shoulders and headed for the red-carpeted stairs to the residence.“Rarely have I ever been this happy to see you.”

“I can think of a few times when you were happier.”

“I can’t.I’m sorry this happened.”

“As am I, but deeply,deeplythankful that Jimmy will be okay.His first baby is due in June… That was all I could think about until I heard…” She took a second to collect herself.“That he’d be okay.”

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