Page 30 of An Impossible Love
Chapter Fifteen
Orin was yelling. Orin didn’t yell…ever. But today was different. In the Oval with Kevin, Issa, Moxie, and Peyton, Orin was incandescent with rage. “How the hell did this leak? I had specific instructions that the embargo on the Ellis pardon was midnight.”
“Sir…” Issa looked pale and shaken. As press secretary, it was her job to make sure nothing got out that the president didn’t want to, and she’d failed him. How, she didn’t know. She hadn’t briefed the press or begun a strategic leak which sometimes was necessary when sensitive information was about to be in the public domain. The pardon, or refusal of it, had been on lockdown, and now Issa looked upset and close to tears.
“Sir, I swear, I have no idea how this could have leaked. We even kept it held close from our staff.”
Orin sighed and rubbed his face, trying to calm himself. “Look… who knew?”
“You, me, everyone in this room. Lucas Harper. Charlie Hope.” Peyton looked as angry as Orin felt. “Your personal protection. Not that I think it could be them.”
“But we can’t discount them,” Kevin added smoothly. “Who was in the room when you made the decision last week?”
Orin thought back and his heart sank. “Agent Sati.”
There was a knock at the door. “Come in.”
Jessica appeared, her face grim. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Mr. President, but Lucas Harper is here and insisting on seeing you.”
“Have him come in, Jess. Thanks.”
Lucas Harper looked green and sick. “Sir, forgive my intrusion but something has happened.” His voice shook, and he was trembling with shock. Orin had never seen him so worked up.
“Lucas, come sit before you fall down.” He nodded at the others, dismissing them all except Moxie, who went to grab some water for Lucas.
“What is it, Lucas?”
“Sir, Martin Karlsson is dead. He was found murdered outside his home thirty minutes ago.”
“Jesus.” Orin hissed. “Are we sure it was murder?”
Lucas nodded. “He was shot in the back of the head, sir. One bullet, point blank. There’s something else you should know. Before that, he had met Agent Sati for coffee.”
Orin’s heart failed him. “What?”
Lucas nodded. “An attempt was also made on Agent Sati’s life at her home.”
Orin stared at him in horror. “Is she okay?”
For a moment, time stopped, and Orin felt his heart bang uncomfortably against his ribs before Lucas nodded.
“Is she okay?” He repeated, trying not to let the desperation creep into his voice.
Lucas nodded. “She was beaten and kicked pretty badly, and she suffered a flesh wound from a bullet, but otherwise she’s okay. It’s my understanding that she managed to disarm her attacker before being knocked unconscious. A relative then appeared to help her. Her attacker is in custody.”
“I want to talk to him.”
Both Moxie and Lucas shook their heads. “No, sir, I’m sorry, this is a federal matter and if you interfere…”
Orin sighed. “Where is Emmy now?”
“She was treated at George Washington but discharged herself.”
“I want her protected,” Orin said, trying to keep his voice from shaking. “And I want to see her.”
Moxie and Lucas exchanged a glance that Orin couldn’t read. “What?”
“Sir, this is all part of Agent Sati’s job.”
