The reporter held his hand to his ear. “Okay, the president is taking the stage. We now go live to the White House.”

The image cut to an empty podium. Duncan took the stage looking very serious, but well. His posture was straight. This wasn’t a defeat for him, it was a transition. To something new. Possibly something better. He paused before the microphone, looked over the gathered sea of reporters, and spoke in a clear voice. “As the president of the United States, I swore to protect this nation from all enemies. In this endeavor, I have failed. I have made mistakes that are unforgivable.” He paused and faced the camera. “Some have said the president of this country is the leader of the free world. I would disagree with that. I represent the people of this country and as such it is you who are the leaders of the free world. And you need someone who represents you … better than I have.”

He paused again. “As of nine o’clock this morning I have resigned as the President of the United States—” A loud murmur became a torrent of shouted questions as the press corps could no longer contain themselves. Duncan raised his voice over the din. “Vice President Chambers is now the president and he will answer your questions.”

With that, Duncan stepped down. The white-haired former vice president shook his hand and then took the stage.

Bishop shut the TV off.

In the silence that followed, Bishop, Queen, and Knight immediately became aware of a presence in the room. They turned to find George Pierce standing over King’s unconscious form—holding an empty syringe.

Queen stormed toward him. “What the hell are you doing!”

Pierce held his hands up defensively, still holding the syringe. “Trying to help.”

Queen snatched the syringe from his hand. “What was in this?”

“You won’t understand.”

“Try me.”

“An … an apple seed. Crushed. Liquefied.”

She whipped the syringe into a nearby trash can. It shattered inside. “You injected King with an apple seed?”

“From the Garden of the Hesperides. But I’m not really even sure they are apple seeds.”

The name of the garden sounded familiar to Queen, but she continued her death stare at Pierce. She knew the man would never intentionally hurt King. They were like brothers. But desperate people sometimes make deadly mistakes.

“I got them from Alexander.”

Queen’s temper flared. “Alexander!”

Pierce took a step back and found Queen more intimidating than a golem. “I stole it. In Rome. From Alexander’s gallery.”

Queen knew the story, how they found Alexander beneath the ruins of the Roman Forum. She took a deep breath and eased back. “Did you test it?”

“I only had enough to—”

“Can you two be quiet, please?” Fiona stood behind Queen rubbing her eyes. Knight stood behind her, urging Queen to calm down with his hands.

Queen shook her head and stepped back. “Sorry, kid.”