Capital Offense

“You’re the most popular political figure in our nation’s history. And Warner’s situation has turned you into an icon. I’ve turned you into an icon. And I can turn you into the first woman vice president of this country. I’ve already mentioned the idea at my earlier press conference.”

My God, was he serious?

“You’ll be able to write your own ticket. Mark my words. By tomorrow when your name is posed for the vice presidency, the country will go wild.”

“I take it that you’re spinning the ‘carrying on my husband’s legacy’ rhetoric?”

“Exactly.” He smiled as if she finally understood.

Kissing him, suddenly seemed abhorrent. He was a murderer. No different from the rest. What did she expect him to do? She let him do this. She encouraged him. But she never dreamt he meant murder, even when he said he was going to ‘take care of the problem.’

Carolyn understood machinations, but not murder. Naive, she was too fucking naive, just like Warner had said.

Richard pulled her close, pressing her cheek to his chest. “We’re a team now.”

She forced herself to relax in his arms, while her mind reeled. What was she going to do?

The Washington Post

May 12,2001

President Warner Hamilton Lane Near

Death!

SAN JOSE – President Lane was critically injured Tuesday morning while touring the Sycon Chemical Repackaging plant. During the visit, toxic vapors were released, causing an exothermic reaction.

Ten others were killed during the accident, including Senior White House Adviser Mark Dailey.

Unofficial sources state that the president has not regained consciousness. Hospital doctors have refused to comment.

Sources have confirmed that the emergency exhaust ventilation system at Sycon responded but that it started seconds too late. Sycon’s emergency response team entered the facility to find an unconscious president and Mr. Dailey wedged in a doorway between the chemical storage room and the reprocessing facility. Rescuers report that it appears that Mr. Dailey pulled the president out of the contaminated area shortly before succumbing to the chemicals himself.

Four Secret Service agents, three corporate executives, and two members of the media collapsed on a catwalk, where they died.

The area where the release occurred is under investigation by Fed OSHA. The cause of the accident is still unknown, but investigators have focused on the valve seals for the process piping. The facility has been closed until the exact cause can be determined. FBI sources said that this investigation will probably take weeks, if not months.

In accordance with the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, Congress will hear testimony regarding the prognosis of the president. If it is determined that he is unable to execute the duties of his office, then Vice President Richard Young will be sworn in as the 45th President.

While President Lane is comatose, Richard Young is the Acting President in accordance with the constitutional line of succession.

EIGHTY-THREE

Carolyn closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the seat of the Secret Service Suburban. The smells of fresh leather and plastic told her that the truck was new.

Lightning lit up the night sky. Thunder cracked.

She shivered.