Her Secret Service (Jane Roe 1) by Jason Letts (sites to read books for free TXT) 📗

with at this point. The president would have his hearing, step out for a statement with the boom mic hanging barely a foot from his head, and then justice would be delivered.

While lifting off and gaining altitude was generally something Oliver found unpleasant, Air Force One made it as comfortable as it could possibly be. No worse than taking an elevator up a few floors. It was the only way to fly. He was ready to while away the time with his phone but could barely get it out of his pocket before the front door to the cabin they were in opened.

And who had decided to grace them with his presence? Alex Morrin stepped into their compartment with a congenial smile and a raised hand like he was approaching to sell them a used car. He didn’t need to open his mouth for Oliver’s blood pressure to shoot through the roof. To think that someone so undeserving could be the recipient of everything Oliver had worked so hard to attain.

After whispering and laughing with one of the journalists close by, Morrin leaned against the side of her seat and looked over the crowd, his eyes passing over Oliver like he wasn’t even there.

“I know everyone’s looking for drama today, but I’ll have to disappoint. The agreement has already been ironed out and we just need the judge to rubber-stamp it. Then Bethany and I will be moving on with our lives, and I ask all of you to give her as much privacy and respect as you can. Otherwise, we’ll get to enjoy the fabulous sights in Dayton. The National Museum of the US Air Force in particular is excellent,” he said as comfortably as if he were talking to friends at dinner.

One of the journalists in front of Oliver stood up, blocking his view of the imposter in chief.

“Mr. President, any comment on what your personal life will be like moving forward?”

Morrin gave him a sidelong glance, making evident an ounce of displeasure at the question.

“I appreciate your interest in how I manage my family life, but what we really need to be talking about is my Family Benefits Plan and what a difference it can make for families all across the country. As for my relationships, I don’t think it’ll surprise anyone if I say I have a lot of work to do and don’t plan to be rushing into anything,” he said.

As resentful as Oliver was about the president, he found these softball questions particularly egregious now that news of the divorce had spread and been baked into his poll numbers. As the man in front of him sat down, Oliver saw another reporter begin to rise and decided to cut her off with a question of infinitely more substance.

Raising his index finger as he stood up, he got the president’s attention, though noticeably not any kind of an expression.

“On a different note, is there anything you can tell us about the reports that the federal government is conducting human trials for medications and supplements outside of the FDA?”

The convivial demeanor on Morrin’s face vanished instantly, a testament to the power of Oliver Ip and his words.

“I’m afraid I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about. The FDA is the testing and regulatory authority for the federal government, and unsubstantiatedassertions suggesting otherwise aren’t helpful to anyone,” he said.

Oliver was about to follow up that they were substantiated and that there was proof of not just drug trials but experimentation, but Morrin quickly pointed to the other journalist by the window on the other side of the plane.

“Would you care to tell us if there are any women you’re interested in dating?”

The laughter the president produced appeared forced.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to know a number of phenomenal women in my life, but finding someone special to be with is a process that takes time and effort. But if you know anyone, let me know? Magic can strike at any time. Thanks everyone and enjoy the flight.”

As Morrin turned away to exit the cabin, his final comments seemed much more revealing than those at the beginning. Oliver could only imagine that he’d rattled the man into providing more fodder for the gossip hounds in order to divert attention from his more significant inquiry.

The sense of satisfaction he’d gotten from influencing the conversation was fleeting, and Oliver regretted not being able to have a recording of Morrin’s last denial for his web exposé.

The next hour and a half of the flight passed like any other, with Heath occasionally mumbling to himself and Oliver keeping tabs on what everyone around them was saying. At one point he got up to walk around and use the lavatory, anything to temporarily satiate the building anticipation inside of him. The facade he wore of a journalist lapping at the heels of inferior men was beyond unbearable.

He hadn’t sat back down for more than thirty seconds when a loud cracking sound and jump in the airplane accompanied a flicker of lights. Oliver’s eyes widened as screams erupted around him.

The plane stabilized and breathless tension replaced the noisy cries. The Secret Service agents erupted from the rear room, and Oliver couldn’t help but recoil in his seat, sure they were coming for him. But they raced through the cabin to the front sections of the plane.

“Folks, this is your captain speaking,” he said breathlessly. “We seem to have had some kind of mechanical issue and will be making an emergency landing in Columbus.”

People around Oliver began looking at each other with worried faces. None of them knew what Oliver did. It wasn’t a mechanical issue. The explosive device in the boom mic had gone off, either from being tossed around or a mistake on his part.

For a second he hoped the plane would crash and they would all get snuffed out, but when it became clear that wasn’t going to happen he began thinking back and trying to figure out if he’d really