‘No need! I thought you of all people would understand. That’s what you’ve been saying anyway. Now I find out you’re the one behind it.’
‘A buddyguard is for your personal safety,’ President Mendez explained, recognizing his wife’s fiery nature in their daughter. ‘In light of your recent escapades, the nightmare scenario is you getting kidnapped or shot at by some terrorist, criminal or crazed individual. So it was either that or upping the Secret Service protection. And I knew you wouldn’t want that.’
‘I didn’t ask for any of this,’ Alicia said, waving her hand dismissively around the Oval Office. ‘This is your dream.’
‘And you are an important part of that dream – my inspiration to make this a better world,’ insisted the President, taking her hand in his. ‘We’ve always said family comes first. And that’s true. But we’re the First Family too. And with that comes the necessity for Secret Service. I admit, it’s a real pain at times. But no price is too high to protect my family – especially you, my only child.’
Alicia pulled her hand away. ‘So you send someone to spy on me instead!’
President Mendez sighed. ‘Connor isn’t spying. He’s protecting you. As he’s proven tonight and last week when you ran into those low-life gangsters.’
Alicia bit her lip as she sought a suitable reply.
‘Don’t you realize he’s risked his life for you – twice?’
‘Yes,’ admitted Alicia, unable to meet her father’s eye. ‘But that’s not the point. I’m entitled to live a normal life.’
President Mendez nodded sincerely. ‘And I want you to have your freedom and your youth. I want you to have everyday experiences with friends your own age. But as my daughter that is a privilege, not a given.’
Alicia turned to him. ‘You may rule this country, but what right do you have to rule my life?’
‘It’s true I am the President of the United States, but first and foremost I’m your father.’
Alicia let out an incredulous laugh. ‘Sometimes I wonder if you really understand the toll living in the White House has on me. As soon as you took office, you were no longer the father I knew and loved. I mean, I have to make an appointment to see you! And with Mother always away on her diplomatic business, I’m a virtual orphan. My school friends are all I have. And now you’re even controlling them.’
‘I’m glad you consider Connor a friend –’
‘Connor, a friend? My prom night has been ruined because of him. I’ve been humiliated in front of my true friends. And now, thanks to you, I don’t know which of them I can trust.’
‘You can trust Connor,’ replied President Mendez. ‘I certainly do. His father saved my life.’
‘This isn’t about you!’ snapped Alicia. ‘It’s about me. My life.’ She rose to her feet in anger. ‘And I never want to see that boy again.’
Connor stood outside the Oval Office. He could hear the quarrel through the door. It was too muffled to make out precisely what they were saying, but the gist of the argument was clear. He felt dreadful for having deceived Alicia. She lived under the watchful eye of the Secret Service day and night, and she cherished the rare moments away from its scrutiny. Now she’d discovered he was one of them too and there’d been no real privacy after all.
Yet whether she liked it or not, Connor recognized that Alicia needed close protection. Aside from the incident with the two gangsters, Ethan’s prank demonstrated just how easy it would be for a gunman to shoot her. In the light of that possibility alone, it was clear Connor’s role as a covert buddyguard was more than justified.
But did the right reason warrant the wrong lie?
The door to the Oval Office swung open and Alicia came out, fuming. She saw Connor and tried to avoid him.
But Connor made a move towards her. ‘I wanted to tell you the truth, but –’
‘I’ve had enough of you, Connor,’ she cut in, her stare cold and hard. ‘I don’t want you talking to me or even near me. You were hired to be my “friend” – my buddy! And you know the worst thing, I –’ a tear ran down her cheek – ‘I was actually falling for you.’
The words hit Connor harder than a punch. He realized he’d done more than deceive Alicia – he’d broken her heart. Sorry wouldn’t be nearly enough to make up for that. But, lost for any other words, Connor could only watch her as she walked away, sobbing.
‘Made quite an impression, didn’t you?’
Connor spun round to find Dirk Moran standing behind him. He wasn’t sure whether the director had heard Alicia’s disclosure or not. But judging by the triumphant smirk on his face, Dirk appeared to be savouring Connor’s fall from grace.
‘After you,’ said Dirk, ushering Connor into the Oval Office.
The President was slumped in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose to ease a headache. ‘Take a seat. George will be with us in a moment.’
Connor perched on the sofa opposite Dirk. No one spoke and Connor felt the tension in the air. It seemed he’d not only upset Alicia, but her father too.
The chief of staff entered and closed the door behind him. ‘It’s been quite a night by all accounts,’ he remarked, sitting down beside Connor.
‘The situation was inevitable,’ said Dirk, his tone sympathetic rather than scathing. ‘Connor’s inexperience resulted in an error of judgement and he’s paid the price. Secret Service will miss his presence, but what more can I say?’
Despite his words and manner, the director didn’t look too cut up about the situation.
‘Come, come, Dirk, we’ve all made mistakes,’ replied George. ‘Remember when you thought the Russian ambassador was planting a bomb and it turned out to be his cigar case!’
Dirk shifted uncomfortably at the recollection of that embarrassing incident. Recovering his composure, he responded, ‘But now Connor’s cover has been blown the only course of action is to return him to the UK.’
‘Surely that’s an overreaction,’ said President Mendez. ‘Connor’s presence has been invaluable. We can still utilize his skills, can’t we?’
The chief of staff nodded in agreement. Dirk was about to protest further, but Connor interjected.
‘Mr President, I think the director’s right,’ admitted Connor, much to Dirk’s astonishment. ‘I’m sorry. I tried my best, but I can’t see Alicia wanting me around any more. I’ll pack my bags.’
‘No, Connor, this isn’t your fault. I take full responsibility,’ insisted President Mendez. ‘Perhaps if I’d been straight with my daughter from the start we wouldn’t be in this mess.’
‘Don’t be so hard on yourself, Mr President,’ said George. ‘It was your daughter’s exploits dodging Secret Service that forced our hand. And we went through all the options. A secret buddyguard was clearly the best solution. And Alicia is better embarrassed than dead. Once she calms down, I’m sure she’ll see sense and get used to the idea of a full-time buddyguard.’
Dirk coughed politely. ‘I don’t see the point of a buddyguard now. I mean, Secret Service cover all angles of her security. What advantage does Connor have over one of my highly trained agents?’
‘Age,’ reminded George. ‘Connor can still go where your agents can’t. Alicia may know the truth now, but no one else is going to suspect him of being a bodyguard.’
‘But since Alicia won’t accept him around he can’t do his job in the first place,’ Dirk argued.
‘With great reluctance, I’m starting to side with Dirk on this one,’ said the President. ‘Alicia’s headstrong like her mother. I can’t see her changing her mind any day soon.’
President Mendez leant forward on his desk, his hands clasped together, and looked Connor in the eye.
‘Connor, you’ve done Alicia and me a great service. And I can say, hand on heart, your father would be proud of you. But I’m truly sorry – I’ll have to send you home.’
Sitting on his bed in the White House guest room, Connor stared glumly out across the Washington skyline. The National Mall was bathed in bright morning sunshine, but the promising summer day did little to improve his mood.