Cloud Dust: RD-1 (R-D #1)(34)

"I guess it's a good thing I made extra bread," I said dryly.

"It goes great with the gumbo," Ken said, dumping more gumbo in his bowl. Everybody was in my kitchen. Extra chairs had been dragged in from somewhere, and several were eating around my dining table while the rest took seats at the island.

"Why didn't we think of this before?" Kevin asked. "I want to grill burgers on the back patio."

"I haven't been to a cookout in a long time," Nick said. "I vote for steaks, though."

"I think we could accommodate that—I enjoy cooking steaks," Rafe responded.

"I'll buy the grill, if they'll allow it," I said.

"What's this about a grill?" August and Leo walked in.

"Ask them. I'm just funding it, if it's approved."

"I think the new VP might approve it," August grinned. "Cori, the President asked me what I thought. The former Secretary of State will be the new Vice President." My mouth dropped open—I know it did—because Rafe tipped it closed with a finger beneath my chin.

*

"You saw who took off the minute we started cleaning the kitchen," I said, flopping onto a barstool with a cup of chamomile.

"No surprise. I'd have bet money on Becker leaving first, and I'd have won."

"Hah. No way I'd take that bet."

"I'm surprised Dr. Shaw stayed to help. Not surprised that James did."

"Here's to good gumbo." I held up my cup.

"I'll second that."

*

Thursday, it was back to running, followed by Krav Maga and weight training. Becker was the only one to show up for Krav Maga. I'm sure it was for pointers. At least he hadn't shoved me in the mud, because it was raining during the six a.m. torture. Springtime in the D.C. area. Lovely.

August waited in our kitchen for Rafe and me when the weight-lifting torture was over. By that time, I was ready for a shower and lunch. Auggie, I thought at him, why is Dalton even here, except as a spy?

"This won't take but a minute, and we can talk on our way to the former Vice President's funeral. The President wants both of you to ride with her and the First Gentleman," Auggie didn't bat an eyelash at the mental communication.

"Who's taking the Secretary of State's spot?" I asked.

"No idea, yet, but the moment they're brought on board and the schedule is cleared, that trip to France is in the offing."

"Auggie, I don't want to go there," I slumped my shoulders.

"Cori, it'll be all right."

It wasn't the first time I'd heard those words. They made me sad. "Corinne, I don't have a specific time for next Tuesday, but I expect both of you to be ready at nine. We'll be updated sometime after that, as to when we have to leave. The President doesn't want to take any chances."

"I understand. I'll be ready."

"I'm giving you permission to go out with James and Rafe tomorrow, to buy something to wear. Make sure it's tasteful and discreet."

"Does it have to be a dress?"

"That's preferable, yes."

"Damn," I sighed.

*

Notes—Colonel Hunter

"I'm just waiting for him to make his move," Shaw said.

"What move?"

"With Corinne."

"Has he said anything to you?"

"No, but it doesn't take a genius to see it."

"Neither one has any names on their list."

"Do you think for a minute they'll be that obvious about it—face it, placing a single name on that list is the same as announcing to the entire Mansion that they're a couple."

"Look, I know he has a big beef with the Russian government right now—a lot of Ukrainians do. You think we can trust him with Corinne?"

"Do you think Corinne would trust him, if he wasn't trustworthy?"

"I don't know. People have been blinded by love or lust in the past."

"Corinne isn't acting like a Chihuahua in heat, you know. Neither of them are young and stupid."

"Then let's keep an eye on them while they're out with James tomorrow. We'll see where this goes."

*

Corinne

You'd think I'd been let out of prison. Nice jeans, low-heeled short boots, a blue, boat-necked top and earrings were what I wore. The day was overcast, but I didn't care. I was going outside.

With Rafe.

What did it matter that they'd have an entire SWAT team discreetly following us? Somebody, somewhere, wanted to know whom the target was when the helicopter exploded, so they were watching us like hawks. It made me wonder if they were watching Auggie and Dalton, too.

"Stay on your toes, cabbage," Rafe breathed next to my ear as we walked out of the Mansion's side door toward a waiting car. We'd have a driver and James as a personal escort. I made a point to make eye contact with the driver.

No problem there.

Alexandria, Virginia, was our destination; an upscale department store waited there. It wasn't far away, but traffic made the drive longer. Our destination was quite close to the Pentagon, actually, in Pentagon City. When we arrived, I stared—the adjoining mall was huge.