Sean was surprised to see Aaron Betack hovering in the background. No, cowering was more like it, Sean assessed. The man didn't look like he wanted to be there. Yet what the First Lady wanted, she usually got.
"These are the times I regret giving up smoking," Jane said as she motioned them into chairs across from her.
"Weren't you just on the campaign trail in Connecticut?" Sean asked.
She nodded absently. "I flew back early after they told me about the box. I asked Agent Betack to be here so he could answer any questions you might have on behalf of the Service."
Sean and Michelle both looked at Betack, who didn't appear remotely interested in telling them even what time it was. Yet he nodded and attempted a smile that came out as though he had really bad gas.
Jane said, "I have heard that the FBI has been somewhat less than cooperative with you. I trust that has been taken care of and that you have met with no resistance from any other agency?"
There was only one other agency really involved and it was represented by the big man standing behind her, his face reddening slightly with her words.
Sean said quickly, "Everyone's been very cooperative. Particularly the Secret Service. It's been a stressful time for everyone, but they've been there for us the whole way."
"Excellent," said Jane.
Betack stared at Sean for a long moment and then gave a slight nod, silently thanking Sean for the cover he'd just provided.
Jane Cox sat down behind her desk and took a few minutes to explain what had happened. Betack filled in the more technical parts on the box's delivery and contents.
Michelle said, "So someone does have her. They say she's safe and will contact us later."
Jane said sharply, "We have no idea if she is really safe. She could be dead."
"It's troubling that they knew where to send the letter," Sean said.
Betack nodded. "We're theorizing that they might have researched the family and knew the aunt was local. Even if the kids weren't staying there the box would have eventually reached us."
"Or it could show the kidnappers have some inside info," said Sean. He glanced sharply at Betack. "I'm not suggesting that's coming from the Service, but there could be other leaks."
Betack said, "You're right. We'll cover that end."
"So what do we do now?" Jane wanted to know.
Sean said, "Can they determine where it was mailed from?"
Jane said, "Dalton, Georgia. At least that's what the FBI director told me."
Betack confirmed this with a nod.
"Okay, that's something. If it was at a specific processing center then there's a certain radius of postal pickups that are delivered there. That narrows the search down. It'll require a lot of manpower but they can canvass the area."
"FBI's already on it," said Betack.
Michelle said, "But if I'm the kidnapper I'll know that and I'll drive a long way from where I'm holding Willa to make the drop."
Sean added, "Dalton is in northern Georgia. It's in relatively easy driving distance from Tennessee, Alabama, and North and South Carolina."
"Which makes it hard but not impossible," noted Betack. "And it's one of the few leads we have."
Sean looked over to see Jane staring at a photo she held in her hands. She turned it around for them to see. It was a picture of Willa on a horse.
"She'd just turned six. She wanted a pony, of course. I guess all little kids do. Dan was still in the Senate back then. We took her to a little farm out near Purcellville in Virginia. She got right up on that animal and we almost couldn't get her off. Most kids would've been scared to death."
She slowly put the photo back down.
"A brave girl," Sean said quietly.
Jane said pointedly, "She is brave and capable, but she's still a little girl."
"Does the FBI have any thoughts on motive?" asked Michelle.
"Not as far as I know."
She looked at Betack, who merely shook his head.
"We talked to Tuck and went by his office."
"Did you find anything useful?"
Sean squirmed slightly in his chair before glancing uneasily at Betack. "This might get personal."
Betack looked at the First Lady. "I can leave, Mrs. Cox."
She thought for a moment. "Fine. Thank you, Agent Betack. The president and I want to be made aware of any developments without delay."
After Betack left she said, "What do you mean by personal, Sean?"
"Did Pam ever talk to you about any problems in the marriage?"
"Why do you ask that?" Jane said sharply.
"Just covering all the bases," said Sean. "So was there anything?"
Jane sat back and made a steeple with her hands while she slowly nodded. "It was at the party at Camp David. We were talking about Tuck not being there. That he was away on business. It was really nothing. But-"
"But what?"
"It just seemed that she wanted to say something, but then didn't. She made a casual comment about Tuck being Tuck. And that he'd be back the next day." She looked between the pair. "What is it?"
Sean and Michelle had both snapped forward in their chairs. "Tuck was supposed to come back the day after the kidnapping happened?" Sean asked.
Jane looked unsure. "That's right. I believe that's what she said. But he was there the night it happened." Jane leaned forward too. "What is going on?"
Sean glanced at Michelle. "Tuck might have been having an affair."
Jane stood. "What?"
"You had no idea?"
"Of course not, because it's not true. My brother would never do that. What proof do you have?"
"Enough to make us want to investigate it further."
Jane sat back down. "This is… incredible." She glanced up. "If you think he had an affair, you're not implying that…"
"Jane, I can't answer that question. At least not right now. We've only been on this thing for a short time. We're doing the best we can."
"And our priority has to be getting Willa back safe," added Michelle.
"Of course that's our goal. It's the only reason I asked you to help." Jane put a shaky hand up to her forehead.
Sean could easily read her mind. "When you start an investigation you really can never be sure where it's going to lead. Sometimes the truth does hurt, Jane. Are you prepared for that?"
The First Lady placed a cool, rigid gaze on him.
"The truth is, at this point in my life nothing surprises me anymore. You just find Willa. And let the chips fall."
All three turned when the door swung open. Sean and Michelle reflexively leapt to their feet as President Dan Cox strode into the room, winged by a pair of veteran Secret Service agents. He smiled and put out his hand.
Cox was about Michelle's height, several inches shorter than Sean, but his shoulders were burly and his face, at age fifty, retained more vestiges of youth than it did the toll of middle age. That was somewhat remarkable considering his years under the unrelenting gaze of the world.
Sean and Michelle took turns shaking the man's hand.
Jane said, "I'm surprised to see you."
Cox said, "I canceled the rest of my appearances for today. My people weren't thrilled, but the president does get a few perks. And when you're up by twenty-five points in the polls and your opponent agrees with you more than he disagrees with you, a free day every once in a while is allowable. And even if I were behind in the race, Willa's safety comes first."
Jane gave him a grateful smile. "I know you've always seen it that way."
Cox walked over and gave his wife a peck on the cheek and rubbed her shoulder gently before turning to his two Secret Service agents; his gaze flicked almost imperceptibly to the door. Within moments the men were gone.
Sean, who had watched this little exchange, thought, How many times has a president done that very same eye flick with me?
Cox said, "Jane's told me what you two are doing. I welcome your experience and input. We have to do everything we can to get Willa back safely."