I'll Cover You
CHAPTER ONE
This is John Stephenson reporting for Americast news. We can now confirm that Kate Stewart, the Senator from California, has captured enough electoral votes to become the 45th President of the United States and the first woman ever to hold this office. For more on this historic victory we go to Americast political correspondent Anne Davis . . .
Kate switched off the TV and shook her head as she looked at her close friend and campaign advisor Jen Friedman. “I still can’t believe it, Jen. I frickin’ won! Everyone said it was impossible. Me – a young, relatively inexperienced, single woman – President of the United States. They said it couldn’t be done. But we did it!”
“The American people saw in you what I’ve seen all along – a competent, intelligent, dedicated, passionate leader. Who wouldn’t want someone like that running the country? Congratulations, Madame President!” Jen grinned at Kate and pulled her in for a warm hug.
Finally, Jen pulled away. “Now come on. It’s time to stop hiding in this room and go out and meet all your adoring supporters. You’ve got a victory speech to give, Madame President.”
“I’m not president yet, Jen,” Kate said, suddenly a bit overwhelmed.
Jen rolled her eyes. “Fine. Madame President Elect. Now stop debating the details and go out there and wow that crowd.”
Kate nodded and took a deep breath before following Jen from the room.
* * * * *
Emmy Harris sighed as she made her way to Director Bell’s office. She’d been summoned to a meeting with her boss, but had no idea what she’d done . . . this time. She’d been with the Secret Service for two years and had been a successful FBI Agent before that. Even so, she somehow always managed to get into scrapes. Something about her rebellious, take no prisoners attitude didn’t jive well with the rigid structure of federal law enforcement. Despite her tendency to revolt against authority now and then, she was damn good at her job and she knew it. Even though she’d had her fair share of trouble with her supervisors, Emmy was confused by the unexpected summons to see her boss. She wracked her brain as she walked to Bell’s office, unable to figure out what she had done this time to land herself in front of her boss yet again.
Emmy let out a nervous sigh as Bell’s assistant led her into his office. William Bell motioned to one of the chairs in front of the desk. “Have a seat, Agent Harris.”
Bell’s stern nature always made Emmy nervous, and when she was nervous, she had a tendency to ramble. “Sir, I’m not sure what I did to merit another meeting. I know last time I was here, you warned me that I was on thin ice. I’d just like to preemptively apologize and . . .”
Bell held up a staying hand. “Agent Harris. I didn’t call you here to reprimand you.”
“Oh . . .” Emmy replied, closing her mouth in shock. Then confusion settled over her. “So if I’m not in trouble, then why am I here?”
The Director chuckled. “Agent Harris, as you know, yesterday Senator Stewart was elected to be the next President.” Emmy nodded, her heartbeat increasing just at the mention of the woman’s name. Bell continued. “As such, we’ll be assigning a detail of agents to protect her at all times. We normally have at least one agent assigned to shadow the President at all times. We’ll have a rotation of three agents sharing this role, in order to provide full coverage while allowing the agents time off for their own personal matters. Because the coverage is twenty-four hours a day and can include private and personal matters of the President, we’d like these agents to be of the same gender as the President. I’ve decided that you will be one of those agents. The other two will be Agent Manning and Agent Mathias.”
Emmy nodded as the stunning news washed over her. This was the biggest assignment of her career. It didn’t get any bigger than being assigned to the Presidential detail. It was what she’d worked towards for so long.
“Congratulations, Harris. You’ve earned it. You start tomorrow.”
She nodded, still stunned. “Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.”
“I’m sure you won’t. That will be all for now, Harris.”
She stood. “Thank you again, sir.” He nodded and Emmy left.
Emmy headed to her office and slung herself down in her chair. Her heart was pounding out of her chest and it wasn’t just because she’d landed the assignment of a lifetime. She was going to be up close and personal with Kate Stewart on a daily basis. The woman who had haunted her thoughts and her dreams for several years. Her number one “celebrity crush.” Some people fantasized about movie stars or musicians. Not her. Ever since she’d first heard about the rising political star from California, Emmy had been smitten. She was a political junkie and she made no apologies for it. Kate Stewart’s confidence and brilliance were a major turn on. And now, Emmy had just been told she’d be a daily part of Kate’s life. Emmy shook her head and silently corrected herself. She’d be a part of the President’s life, even if it were a silent part. She’d be there, in the background, around the woman every day, watching her. She shook her head again. She was starting to sound creepy. Get it together, Harris, she chided herself. Deciding she needed a distraction, she went to seek out her best friend and fellow agent, Phil Parker.