The camera switches to the clean-cut anchor, a fill-in for Anderson Cooper. He looks right into the camera. “And we need to leave it there for now. When we come back, more news on the flash floods in California.”

I click off the TV.

I admit it. I, too, wanted more fireworks in court.

So it all comes down to tomorrow. Two closing arguments, back-to-back.

I hope Cole Wright gets what he deserves.

CHAPTER
123

The White House

In the East Room of the White House, President Madeline Wright walks past the full-length portrait of George Washington to the podium. She opens the leather binder with the presidential seal on the cover. She looks out over the room.

The space is empty except for Burton Pearce.

“What about flags?” asks the chief of staff.

“Flags?” asks Maddy.

“What flags do you want behind you for the announcement? Stars and Stripes?”

“Can we fit the flags of all fifty states and the territories?” asks Maddy. “I want a message of unity—common purpose.”

Pearce thinks for a minute. “It would take up the whole back of the room, but sure.”

“As long as there’s still room for Ransom,” says Maddy.

She runs her finger down the first page with a pencil in hand. Her speech isn’t quite ready. Neither is the Grand Bargain. This is just a very early rehearsal. The East Room is a stand-in for the chamber of the House of Representatives, where the actual speech will be delivered, assuming everything comes together. But for Maddy, just running through the language in a big room helps make the program feel real.

“The words need work, Burton,” says Maddy, flipping through the pages. “Still sounds too political. Not grand enough.”

She and Pearce have been working and reworking the details and wording of the announcement. With every new convert to the plan or tweak to the program, language needs to be altered and polished. Maddy considers editing one of her strongest skills, but she’s having a hard time concentrating.

The lack of sleep isn’t helping.

The crisis in the South China Sea has been a forty-eight-hour roller coaster, eased slightly when Admiral Boone managed to get hold of his counterpart in Beijing. The territorial dispute with the Philippines was not resolved—it’s still smoldering—but at least the Chinese navy allowed the Philippine frigate to slip back to its port near Lian. No missiles or torpedoes fired. No casualties on either side.

But right now, Maddy’s mind is on her husband.

“Should I be up in New Hampshire tomorrow for the closing arguments?”

Pearce shakes his head. “No, ma’am. It could be seen as trying to influence the jury. You need to stay put. Wait for the verdict.”

“I feel like I’m leaving Cole alone at the worst time of his life.” Maddy puts down her pencil and grips the sides of the lectern to hide the fact that her hands are trembling.