CHAPTER 61
WASHINGTON, D.C.
TWO DAYS LATER
Carolyn Leonard cleared White House security on West Executive Drive and then found a parking space. It was one of those perfect D.C. days—warm with a bright blue sky and barely a trace of humidity.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked as she turned off the car’s engine. “Maybe you should take some more time to think about it.”
Elise Campbell turned to her, “Carolyn, I didn’t bring you along to talk me out of my decision. I brought you for moral support.”
Leonard smiled. “I’ll be waiting right here when you come out.”
“Thanks,” said Campbell as she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door.
As she stepped out of the car, she was greeted by the scent of magnolia blossoms drifting across the grounds. Max Holland was waiting for her in front of the West Wing entrance.
“Are you sure about this, Campbell?”
Elise nodded. “I’m sure.”
“Okay,” he replied. “The president is waiting for you in the residence. Are you okay if we walk this way?” he asked, pointing toward the North Lawn. “It’s a nice day, and I’d like to enjoy what’s left of it.”
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
As they walked, Holland said, “The night Nikki Hale drove off the estate, I’d been on break when Alden went to the guesthouse. I never knew the details of what happened until you asked me to set up this meeting. I’d like to think that if I’d been there that night, things might have turned out differently.”
“Me too,” replied Elise.
They covered the rest of the distance in silence. On the third floor of the executive residence, Campbell followed Holland down the hallway to a carpeted ramp that branched off to their left. At the top was a room most Americans didn’t know even existed; the White House solarium.
Constructed by William Howard Taft in the early part of the twentieth century as a sleeping porch, it had originally been intended as a place to catch a cool breeze on hot nights and had been a favorite of first families ever since. President Eisenhower barbequed outside on its promenade, while his wife, Mamie, hosted bridge parties inside. The Kennedys used it as a kindergarten for Caroline and other children, President Nixon gathered his family here to break the news of his resignation, and President Reagan spent weeks in the solarium, recuperating from the assassination attempt on his life.
“The president will be here in a minute,” said Holland. “Make yourself comfortable.”
As he left, Elise took in the solarium.
It was an octagonal room, composed almost entirely of windows. The décor was bright and the tasteful furnishings plush and comfortable—exactly what one would expect to find in a sun room meant for relaxed family gatherings.
Its most striking feature was its view. In the foreground was the Washington Monument and beyond that the Jefferson Memorial.
“Best view in all of Washington,” said a voice from behind.
Surprised, Campbell turned around. “Hello, Mr. President,” she said. It was the first time she had ever seen him on time for any meeting, much less early.
“Elise,” he said as he crossed the room to shake her hand. “I understand you were quite insistent about seeing me.”
“I was. Thank you, Mr. President,” she replied as she accepted his hand.
Alden pointed toward one of the overstuffed couches. “Please sit down. Can I get you anything? Something to drink?”
“No thank you, sir.”
“Okay,” said the president, taking a seat in the armchair just adjacent. “I’m all yours.”
Elise knew there would be no perfect segue or preamble for what she had come to say. The only way to say it was to say it, and when she did, the color drained from Alden’s face. “Mr. President. I wanted to tender my resignation to you personally.”
“Excuse me?”
“I know what happened the night Nikki Hale killed the Coleman family. She had been drinking with both you and the first lady. The three of you quarreled, and despite the fact that she was drunk, you insisted she get in her car and leave the estate. Then you lied about what happened that night under oath.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about your answers to interrogatories in the civil suit. You lied about everything that happened that night. As if your involvement in Hale’s death wasn’t enough, you perjured yourself in trying to cover it up.”
“You wait just a second,” snapped the president indignantly.
“No, you wait, sir,” said Elise, cutting him off. “You lied to protect yourself and you lied to protect your candidacy, and I can’t work for you anymore.”
Standing up and buttoning his suit jacket, Alden said, “Agent Campbell, you simply don’t have your facts straight. I don’t know what’s ailing you, but I think you need to take some more time off and come back when you’re feeling better.”
“I feel fine, Mr. President. And I’m not coming back,” said Elise as she stood up as well. “Where this goes now is up to you. And for your information, Herb and Janet Coleman will be taking a very keen interest in what you decide to do going forward.”
“The Colemans? Is that who’s behind this?” said Alden contemptuously. “I should have known.”
“Yes, you should have, Mr. President. Lying under oath is a felony.”
Alden glared at her and tried to shift the blame. “So this is how divisive politics have become? Even when the people have spoken, you won’t stop until you find a reason to force the duly elected president of the United States out of office, even if you have to make the reasons up?”
“This has nothing to do with me, or politics. I voted for you. I believed in you. But you’re unworthy of your office.”
“I guess I made a mistake asking to have you assigned to my detail.”
Elise had had it with the man’s arrogance. “You politicians want to blame everyone but yourselves when you screw up. Your mistake wasn’t having me assigned to your detail. Your mistake was lying under oath. In fact, now you’ve got me talking like a politician. Lying under oath isn’t a mistake, it’s a reflection of a very deep character flaw. The office of president and the people of the United States deserve better. The Colemans and I will be expecting you to announce your resignation shortly. Good-bye, Mr. President.”
Elise left the president and exited the solarium. Max Holland was waiting for her outside. “How’d it go?”
“C’mon, Max,” said Elise. “You’re telling me you heard none of that?”
“Our job’s to protect the president, not to eavesdrop on his conversations.”
Campbell was silent.
“That said, sometimes you can’t help but hear things,” replied Holland. “You’re a good agent, Elise. Don’t quit the Service just because of him. We’ll get you reassigned. In fact, there’s a position open on the first lady’s detail.”
“Hutch resigned?”
Holland nodded. “Ten minutes ago.”
Removing her credentials, she handed them over to him. “Thanks, Max, but I’ve got other plans.”
Holland knew better than to argue with her. Reluctantly, he accepted her creds and slipped them into his pocket. “So what are you going to do?” Max asked. “Are you just going to give up on law enforcement?”
Elise smiled, “I think I’m going to become a detective.”
“You’re going back to the Virginia Beach PD?”
“No. I’ve been offered a job in East Hampton.”