God of War:
Part 9
Lynn Jepsen
"Josh!" Now what? "You're supposed to be in a meeting with Aunt Lisa."
When? "Ten minutes ago." You could always tell me these things ahead of
time, you know. "You were in the Oval Office." Oh, like you've never
barged in there before. Where am I going? "The British Embassy. You're
discussing a possible alliance if there is any sort of armed conflict."
And I'm going to be late. Shit. Rachel surveys my schedule for a moment
and then smiles. "Oh, Aunt Lisa said not to worry about being late.
They're going to have tea first." Tea? She's pissed. Okay, fine. I'm on
my way.
"Hey, Josh!" Diana catches me just before I pass the bullpen. Yes? "Are
we or are we not doing the speech? 'Cause, you know, I'd be perfectly
happy keeping you away from trigger happy loons." Trigger happy loons?
Well, that's an interesting description. Unfortunately, it looks like
we're doing the speech, so make sure we've got a response ready for
Carol. She nods, and veers off as we walk. I'm off the hook. Cool.
"JOSH!" Or not.
Okay, Toby, what do you want? "Why is Lisa meeting with Lord John? Did I
miss the memo where the First Lady makes foreign policy?" No, you didn't.
But can we remember that she knows these people, she's connected with
these people, she's friends with most of Parliament.... Plus I'm on my
way over there. Toby must be preoccupied, because he let's me off with a
small snarl.
I'm free and clear. The lobby is within view. "Josh!" Busted. What can I
do for you, Carol? "Do we have a statement on the military situation?"
Not yet. Tell them you'll have something for them after the speech. "Do
we have a statement on the speech?" Nope. "You know, Josh, I think I
quit." Cute. Talk to Toby and Diana. They're putting some stuff together.
"Fine, but I still quit!"
Now, off to tea with Lisa and Lord John. I'm in hell, but at least it
can't get worse. We're already on the brink of war, threatened by racists
and conservatives, fighting declining numbers, and bickering amongst
ourselves. I can't fathom how this can get worse. I mean, we've got
internal, external, foreign, and domestic. We run the tables in the one
circumstance I don't look forward to.
Honestly, I have a confession to make. I would much rather go back to
dealing with the "scandal" of my assistant and Sam's niece moving in with
our legislative liaison, or the horrible "moral quagmire" of Diana and I
have a thing. Believe me, having a thing with Diana is much more fun than
this. Much more fun. Okay, the driver gives me a funny look when I get
into the car. I know, I've got that stupid grin plastered to my face. So
sue me.
Glancing through the notes Rachel put together for me, I wonder if Lisa
would actually get Lord John to aid in whatever torture she has planned.
I mean, the ambassador, the consul, and the Foreign Minister are all
personal friends. I doubt she actually needs me there, and I don't doubt
the expression about hell's fury and scorned women. Then we screech to a
halt, and the notes slide off my lap. I reach for them as the impact
throws me back against the seat. What the hell?
Unsnapping the seat belt, I lean forward. The driver is slumped over the
wheel, and I can see the man in the other car climbing out. Okay, grab my
cell phone, call an ambulance for my driver. Step out of the car, see if
everyone is okay in the other car. I walk up to the other man, and try to
survey the damage. The limo isn't too damaged, which I'm sure the
taxpayers will be grateful for. The other car's front end is pushed in,
but again, it doesn't look that bad. Actually, considering how hard the
impact felt, I'd say it looks pretty damn good.
"Is he alright?" I follow the man's gaze towards the driver and shrug. I
already called an ambulance. "Good. I didn't want to hurt him." Okay,
what? That just sounded weird. Maybe it's the accent. I mean, Lisa can
still do that thing with the British accent and throw me. This is, I
don't know. Maybe Indian, or Middle Eastern. Just sounds weird. We meet
at the front of the car, and I open my mouth to ask if he's okay, when I
feel something being pushed into my back. Who's..... "Don't make a
sound." Oh, this is so much worse.
The woman must have been standing on the sidewalk, because I didn't see
her get out of the car. That fact alone bothers me as they walk me to
slowly to a waiting car. This was planned. This was planned by someone
who knew about last minute plans. Hell, whoever did this is better
informed than I am. Shit. This is all going to hell.
God of War: Part 10
HOME | TITLE |
AUTHOR | CATEGORY