David Baldacci: First Family

"But what does it mean?" asked Sean.

"It means it's the responsibility of the parent to always protect the child."

Sean looked at Michelle. "Thanks, Fred. That really clears it up."

On the drive back to the airport, Michelle said, "How do people like Jane and Dan Cox go as far as they have?"

"Because she's strong and tough and will do whatever it takes. And he has the gift of making people want to root for him. A real people person."

"So that's all it takes? God help us."

"But it all comes with a price, Michelle."

"Really?" she said skeptically.

"Knowing that one day it could all come crashing down."

"That doesn't seem to be enough of a price to pay, sorry."

"Trust me, his resigning the presidency was just the beginning. They're looking at a few decades of depositions and trials. And they'll be real lucky if both their butts don't end up in prison."

"We can only hope they're not that lucky."

They drove on for a few more miles before Sean reached in the backseat and slid something out of his briefcase. Michelle, who was driving, looked over at it.

"What's that?"

"The file you threw in the Dumpster the night you broke into Horatio Barnes's office."

"What? How?"

"I came around the corner in time to see you chuck it. I got it out and dried it off. I haven't read it, Michelle. I would never do that. But I thought you might want to have it."

She glanced down at the pile of papers. "Thanks, but I don't need it. My dad and I already worked it out."

"So you already know what it says?"

"I know enough, Sean. I know enough."

After they landed in D.C., Michelle drove her SUV out of the airport parking lot. Thirty minutes later they were at Michelle's apartment. They had decided that Gabriel would stay at her place for now, but Sean would be an equal caretaker.

Tonight, though, Gabriel was sleeping over at none other than Chuck Waters's house. The FBI agent had six kids, three of them near Gabriel's age, and the veteran and sour-faced federal cop had shown that he had a very soft heart for children and had taken to Gabriel immediately. The agent lived out in Manassas and over the last few months Gabriel had gotten to be good friends with all the Waters kids. Sean thought Chuck was secretly recruiting the highly intelligent Gabriel for a career in the FBI once he finished college. However, Sean had set Gabriel straight on that. "You gotta aim higher than the FBI," he'd told Gabriel as the two of them and Michelle were having dinner one night.

"Higher how?"

"The Secret Service of course," Michelle had answered.

Michelle dropped the car keys on the kitchen counter. "Help yourself to a beer. I'm going to grab a quick shower and change into some fresh clothes. Then maybe we can get some dinner."

"I'll give Waters a call and check on Gabriel." He smiled. "This dad thing isn't so bad."

"Yeah, that's because you missed all the sleepless nights and dirty diapers."

Sean opened a soda and sat down on the couch and called Waters. Gabriel was doing great, the agent said. When Sean talked to the little boy the happiness in his voice confirmed this. As he put the phone down Sean heard the shower turn on in Michelle's bedroom. He tried to watch TV but the plot of the crime drama he happened on was so flimsy and uninteresting compared to the events he'd just lived for real that he turned it off. He sat there with his eyes closed, trying to forget much of what had happened over the last months, at least for a few seconds.

When he opened his eyes, he noted that Michelle had not come back. He glanced at his watch. Fifteen minutes had gone by. He could hear nothing from the bedroom.

"Michelle?"

No answer. "Michelle!"

He muttered a curse, rose, and looked around. With all the crazy shit they'd been involved in, who knew? He pulled his pistol and slowly made his way down the short hall. He flicked a light on by hitting the switch with his elbow.

"Michelle!"

He eased open the door to the bedroom.

A small light was cast from the adjacent bathroom.

He said in a softer voice, "Michelle? Are you okay? Are you sick?"

He heard the hair dryer start up and then he sighed with relief. He turned to leave, but then he didn't. Sean just stood there, looking at that crack of light from under the bathroom door.

A couple minutes later the hair dryer turned off and she came out wearning a long thick robe, her hair still damp. It wasn't a sexy number like the one Cassandra Mallory had worn. Michelle was completely covered up. Not a trace of makeup. And yet to Sean, there was no comparison. The woman he was looking at was the most beautiful person he'd ever seen.

"Sean?" she said in surprise. "Are you okay?"

"I just came back to check on you. I was worried." He looked down, embarrassed. "But you look like you're fine. I mean you look… great."

He turned to leave. "I'll be out front. Maybe some dinner-"

Before he could even reach the door she was next to him, took his hand in hers, and drew him farther into the room.

"Michelle?"

She took the gun from him and put it on the bureau.

"Come here."

They moved to the bed and sat down next to each other. She slipped off her robe and started to unbutton his shirt as he ran a hand lightly over her bare hip.

"Are you sure about this?" he said.

She stopped unbuttoning. "Are you?"

He put a hand to her lips, traced them with his index finger.

"Actually, I think I've been sure for a long time."

"Me too."

Michelle lay back on the bed and pulled Sean down to her.