Chapters (50)
- Cover
- Half Title Page
- Books by Elizabeth Camden
- Title Page
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Historical Note
- Questions for Discussion
- In 2021, look for Luke Delacroix’s story in
- About the Author
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- Back Cover
“Next week the first lady is hosting a luncheon at the Corcoran museum,” he continued. “I’ll inspect the museum to design a security plan, but please be sure the bushes and shrubs are cut back on that route as well.”
Sullivan’s freckled face bunched in confusion. “We are to protect the first lady too?”
“Why wouldn’t we?”
“It doesn’t seem right when she’s not in the building. If she wants to leave the White House, the people shouldn’t have to pay for security.”
Sullivan’s adherence to the rules was usually welcome, but it could be a stumbling block too. Congress hadn’t authorized security for the president’s family, but it was a gaping flaw that needed to be filled.
“Two years ago, the empress of Austria was assassinated while shopping,” he told Sullivan. “She was accompanied only by a single friend and was an obvious target. Now her husband is cracking down on the radicals, which is exacerbating the situation in Europe. I don’t want that here. We will protect the first lady, no matter what Congress says.”
“Then Congress ought to change the law.”
“Yes, they ought to, but we can’t let the congressional budget interfere with our mission to protect the president and his family. We cannot expect them to be prisoners in the White House. That means that when the first lady leaves the house, she will be protected.”
Sullivan’s light blue eyes were troubled, but he nodded. “Yes, sir. I just don’t like breaking the rules.”
Nathaniel didn’t either, but he liked the thought of an assassin’s bullet even less. And that meant he’d break the rules if it meant protecting Mrs. McKinley.
The Corcoran Gallery of Art was only blocks away from the White House, but any time the first family left the residence, Nathaniel was on edge. He had less control in public buildings, with their myriad entrances, exits, and unfamiliar staff.
At least he’d had plenty of notice about the upcoming reception for senators’ wives to be hosted by Mrs. McKinley at the Corcoran. The museum had been chosen for its charm rather than safety. It was going to be a security challenge, which was why he spent the afternoon inspecting the museum with Caroline as she outlined her vision for the luncheon.
“The formal portion will be in the upstairs exhibition gallery,” she said as they headed down the marble-lined corridor to inspect the only elevator in the building. “Mrs. McKinley has difficulty with stairs, and some of the other ladies may need to use the elevator as well. Senator Himmelfarb’s wife is eighty-six.”