The Gemini Deception by Kim Baldwin & Xenia Alexiou

Author:Kim Baldwin & Xenia Alexiou
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781602828674
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2013-04-15T03:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-two

The White House

Ryden had managed to get through her closed-door session with the Argentine president, and several important meetings that followed, to Ratman’s satisfaction. But she still had three more to go before she was done for the day, and she wondered how she’d manage. She felt pushed to the very limit of her patience. After running a brush through her hair, she glanced at her schedule and wearily pushed herself up from the vanity. The next item on her agenda, a briefing from Homeland Security in the Roosevelt Room, would likely involve an elaborate multimedia presentation of some sort.

She found the backup Secret Service agent outside her door in the same position she’d left him, like he hadn’t dared to move. “When is Kennedy expected to return, Jason?” she asked.

He cleared his throat. “She didn’t say, Madam President.”

“Of course not. I mean, why bother? It’s not like she has a job to do.”

“I…I’m…I don’t…”

“Tell Kennedy I want to see her.”

“Of course, Madam President.”

She was wired so tight, her responses had become abrupt even to Ratman, but at this point, his menacing stare didn’t affect her. Every time she’d exited one meeting to go to another today, she’d expected to find Kennedy waiting for her outside the door. Instead, she would find her backup agent, who’d jump to attention at the sight of her. His expression was usually a mixture of frustration and fear she might ask him about Kennedy.

The twenty minutes alone in her room, her first real break, had done little to soothe her frayed nerves. Ratman had been at her side the entire endless day, beginning with her meeting with Juan Carlos and continuing through appointments with the joint chiefs of staff and several cabinet members. He had made sure she followed her script and gave them all the correct answers, and in between each appointment, he’d grill her to make sure she’d done her homework about whatever was coming next.

Around nine p.m., after her last meeting, she announced to that miserable excuse of a human that she was retiring for the night.

“I’ll walk you to your room.” Ratman’s tone was smooth, almost flirtatious, as he followed just behind her toward the stairway to the second floor.

“Thank you, but that’s not necessary.”

“I know,” he replied with a smile.

“Whatever,” she said under her breath as she headed up the steps. She couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. She was too tired and too irritated for a confrontation. “I need to be alone. It’s been a long, draining day, and frankly, I’m in no mood for threats or advances or whatever else you have in mind.”

His smile instantly disappeared, and he grabbed her arm as they reached the upper corridor. To all appearances, it was a benign gesture for her to slow down, but his pointy little fingers dug hard and deep into her flesh. “Don’t push it,” he whispered. “Just because they can hear and see us doesn’t mean you can talk to me like that, florist.

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