Madam President ✓

32. I Can't Believe It Was Her

Alex

  "No fucking clue." Jeremy says. "You forget- connecting the dots is your strong suit."

"Right....." I pace, the gnawing in my stomach just now going away.I'm not full- in fact I'm far from it, but I've been so much hungrier than this before. I'll survive. Me passing out didn't help my case, but Jeremy isn't treating me like I'm going to drop dead now.

That article pops up in my head again. Mentioning it will be risky. I'd probably get attacked if his hands weren't cuffed to the table, and I'd deserve it.

But this is exactly what I signed up for( sort of) when I agreed to this position, so I suck it up.

"Alex?" Jeremy notices me lost in my own thoughts and starts shaking his head. "I've seen that look before. God it's almost never good with you-"

"Maybe not- but it gets the cases solved faster." I push past him, unlock the door, and let myself back into the interrogation room.

"Can I have some water?" the former congressman rudely asks, his facial expressions annoyed. Like he has the right to be right now. The nerve of some people.

"Sure- in a minute. Can't have you dehydrating yourself to death, can we?"

"They would look bad for the FBI, yes." He answers my ironic question.

Despite everything they told us in training, I lean forward as much as I can to the point our faces are only an inch apart. With a combination of intimidation and threats- I should leave this room with answers.

"You said the conversation with the house speaker was planned- orchestrated in some way. Can you elaborate?"

"No."

"Death Penalty."

"Like I said- I'll be fucking dead either way."

I smirk. This is where it should get good.

"Maybe that's true-" I play along. "But at least your daughter will be safe if you cooperate with us."

Horror spreads across his face for a second time and that's how I know the article was at least partially true.

As the story goes: Eleven years ago, when he was just a city councilman, he and an intern had a months long sexual relationship. He left as soon as he found out she was pregnant but apparently still keeps tabs on them, sending the mother money whenever they're struggling to pay the bills. In the grand scheme of things, I guess a rich dead beat dad is better than a poor one.

"What are you suggesting?" He clenches his teeth.

"Well you've hidden them from the public pretty damn well- not well enough apparently but that's besides the point. The point is this: The FBI is damn talented at covering things up for the purposes of "national security" . We could kill her and nobody would ever know- and it would be your own damn fault for not cooperating, simple as that."

"You wouldn't dare hurt a child." He aggressively spits. "No federal agent would-"

"Try me." I say. "I'm not feeling particularly sentimental today and I have allies living in the Bronx."

Something crosses his eyes. I wouldn't call it love- more like a deep need to protect her. I continue.

"The deputy director of the FBI- who is essentially the acting director period, has authorized me to use any means necessary to get to the truth. So I'd rethink your previous statement if I were you- and think long and hard about my cooperation."

I go to leave him alone the same way Jeremy did.

"WAIT!" He yells. "Fine I'll.... I'll...."

"Words, congressman. Use your words."

"I'll cooperate with the damn investigation. Just.... Don't hurt her."

I sit down. "Well now we're getting somewhere. Leslie Simmons. What was her exact involvement?"

"She..... sold the Secretary of state's location to a.... Young woman."

"Damnit congressman, what is that woman's name?"

"I don't feel comfortable saying it out loud."

"Write it down then." I quickly pull a crumpled receipt out of my pants pocket and the pen from my bra. "Now please."

I slide it to him. With both hands cuffed, it's almost impossible for him to write. I can feel Jeremy screaming "No- NO- NO!" as I cautiously undo one hand.

He takes the pen and scribbles out the name. When he's done, he doesn't even try to attack me. He simply slides the receipt and pen back.

With a pounding heart, I look down. My eyes widen and I slap a hand over my mouth. We haven't considered.... Her even once.

"Excuse.... Excuse me for a minute."

I force myself to swallow the saliva threatening to rise up as I push the door open again. I hand the receipt to Jeremy. His reaction is the same.

"Oh my god."