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clear, I’m fine to take back the presidency.”
    Maria didn’t need to be asked twice. She had future plans and taking the reins for even two hours was going to be a massive boost to her career when the time came.
    “Of course, Mr. President,” she replied without missing a beat.
    “Thank you, Madame Speaker,” replied President Mitchell and with those four words, he was back in charge of a country in crisis.
    By the time she had replaced the handset, her Secret Service guard had halved. She was surprised it hadn’t entirely disappeared until she realized she was still just a heartbeat from the big ticket. Without a Vice President, she was next in line should the President’s health deteriorate.
    Less than a minute later, the TV screen cut from the scene of biohazard-suited soldiers guarding the White House to the President of the United States. His left arm was pinned by a bandage across his chest and the Walter Reed logo was clearly visible above his head. The presidential seal was prominently displayed on the podium in front of him. His face was pained but his features and his stance were strong and resolute.
    “Today, we suffered a great loss. A great American, a great man, a great friend has been slain by our enemies. Vice President Donald Brodie was killed during the attack on the White House. I’m sure you have all seen the images and you may be surprised to hear that, as far as we are aware, Vice President Brodie was the only fatal casualty in the explosion. Although his loss is devastating to the country and to me personally, I thank God that many more were not killed alongside him. As you can see, I have suffered a small wound to my shoulder. It is nothing more than that, a small wound and at no time was my life in any danger. I would like to thank Speaker Maria Lopez who took over the duties of President while I was incapacitated during a short operation. I am proud to say that our great country can now say that it has had a female President.”
    A few smiles from the reporters assembled in front of the President suggested that the comment was taken in the lighthearted manner it was intended to be.
    “As for the bio-hazard suits surrounding the White House, please do not be alarmed. That is merely a response that any terrorist attack on the White House will illicit. It is standard procedure and I assure you, it is nothing to be concerned about.”

***
    Throughout all their disagreements and political fights, one thing had comforted Maria Lopez about President Mitchell - his honesty. Their views may have been very different but at least he was always honest about them, or so she thought. The blatant lie, so easily told and so convincingly delivered, had just altered her entire impression of him. If he wasn’t the man she thought he was, what else had he lied about? Before she had a chance to digest the information, the desk phone interrupted her.
    “Yes,” she snapped.
    “Madame Speaker, I’m pleased to say, we have the all clear, everybody has tested negative for the virus.” The caller ended the call. He obviously had many other calls to make.
    Maria relaxed, although she didn’t know what was more comforting, the fact that the President hadn’t so easily lied or that she hadn’t contracted Ebola.

***
    “And God bless the United States of America,” said the President as he ended his address.
    Walking away from the podium, a cell phone was passed to him and the same message Speaker Lopez had just received was delivered to him for the first time.

Chapter 10
     
     
    The news sent a rush of relief through her body. The panic attack she had been about to succumb to instantly abated. Nick had not given her a parting gift to end all gifts.
    As soon as Colonel Barnes received the news, she removed her mask and smiled broadly. No words were needed.
    “Alright folks, we’re going to move from here and reconvene in one hour in the National Joint Terrorist Task Force offices at the National