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Act of Treason

Flynn Vince (EN)

Stokes set his briefcase on the floor and said, “Please.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.” Ross blew on the coffee for a second and then took a sip.

“Are you kidding me? The guy is as good as fried.”

“Good.”

Ross took another drink of coffee and said, “Any luck ru

“No.” Ke

“I thought you were pretty confident that you were going to make a co

It took all the composure Ke

“That’s too bad,” Ross said with a disappointed voice. “But great work on tracking that other guy down.”

President Hayes entered the room with his suit jacket on. Carl closed the door behind him, and the other door to where the administrative assistants sat was also closed. “Sorry I’m late, gentlemen.”

Ross, Stokes, and Ke

“So how is everyone feeling today?” Hayes asked in an upbeat voice.

“Fine, sir,” Ross answered.

“Sit,” Hayes said. “So what can I help you gentlemen with this morning? Let me guess. Someone wants a pardon.”

“You are very astute, Mr. President,” Ross said with a big smile.

“Before we get to that, though, I would like to apologize to Irene.”

Ross looked directly across the table at her. “I was wrong to doubt you over an article written by a reporter with an obvious ax to grind.”

“Thank you,” Ke

“And I have spoken to Josh, and he has agreed that it would be a good idea for you to stay on as director of the CIA for as long as you’d like.”

“That’s great news,” President Hayes said with genuine relief.

“Irene,” President Hayes said, “do you have anything you’d like to say?”

“Good,” Ross said as he tugged at his collar. He blinked once and gave his head a quick shake. “Now about this pardon business.” He shook his head again and rubbed his eyes. “We have managed to get everybody at Justice who matters to sign off on this thing, which will really help insulate you from any fallout.” Ross stopped abruptly and took in a deep breath.

“Are you feeling all right?” asked Hayes.

“I’m not sure.”

Ross eagerly grabbed the glass and took several large gulps.

Ross took a few more sips of water and then looked at the president. His breathing seemed labored. “I think it’s my heart. I have a bad heart.” Suddenly he seemed to wilt. The water glass dropped from his hands, tumbling to the carpeted floor and spilling.

The president was out of his chair, coming to Ross’s aid. He grabbed him by the shoulders.

Ross looked across at Ke

I do, Ke

Hayes and Stokes grabbed Ross and laid him on the floor. Ke

Rapp stood in front of Ke

“I see you didn’t bother to wait for me,” Rapp said.

“What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I see that. A fucking heart attack in the Oval Office. Whoever pulled that one off has got a gigantic set of balls.”