Eggsecutive Orders

CHAPTER 23

THE FIRST FAMILY HAD ATTENDED SERVICES the night before, and had no other official plans beyond entertaining their family for dinner at noon. An easy day, as far as we were concerned, and we planned to start preparations for the Easter meal just as soon as the morning rush was over. Cyan and I finished garnishing the breakfast plates just as Henry strode in. “Happy Easter,” I said.

Uncharacteristically grumpy, he pointed at me. “Do you know Howard Liss?”

“I wish I didn’t.”

“He accosted me on my way in to work.” Henry tied on an apron and consulted our schedule as he continued, working and talking at the same time. “The man is stalking the White House. When he saw me, he wanted to know why I had been brought back here to work.”

“That’s none of his business.”

Henry’s face flushed. “I wanted to tell him that, but you know reporters-they’ll make it sound like you’re hiding something. I just told him that I was happy to be able to help out as we prepared for Monday’s big event.”

I sensed there was more.

Henry’s eyebrows bunched together. “He asked about you. Specifically, he asked if you had any connection to Phil Cooper.”

“He did?”

Henry nodded. “Liss seems to believe that Cooper has a hidden agenda. He didn’t accuse the man of killing Minkus, but he came close enough for me to smell the suspicion on him. This Liss is a wild card.”

“You’re telling me. I don’t know where he gets his information.” I voiced a tidbit that had been bothering me. “Don’t you find it odd that he never publicized the fact that Bucky is suspended?”

Cyan shrugged. “Maybe he doesn’t know. The newspapers didn’t even mention it. I think Paul kept that information in-house.”

“I wish all information was kept in-house,” I said.

Henry continued, undaunted. “Liss is determined to get Cooper fired.”

“He told you that?”

“Close enough. I quote: ‘Our country can’t afford to clean up any more of Cooper’s messes.’ ”

I shook my head. “We can’t worry about Liss. Or anyone else, for that matter. Our job today is simple: Easter dinner for the First Family, then the last-minute preparation for tomorrow. The sooner we get it all done, the sooner we can all get home to our own families. Now, let’s do our best to provide our president with the best dinner ever, shall we?”

Henry’s smile was wide. “You have become the leader I expected you to, Ollie.”

Monday morning I woke up earlier than I normally would. I couldn’t sleep, knowing how much we had to do. I had been through Easter Egg Rolls before-but this one loomed large. Short-staffed, behind schedule, and still suspected by the public, we were nonetheless expected to put on the biggest, best Egg Roll event ever. My family must have felt the same charge in the air because Mom and Nana got up with me, and bustled me out the door with good wishes for a successful day.

“You remember how to get there?” I asked them for the tenth time.

Mom sighed. “Yes, and before you double-check again, we do have our tickets. We will be there, Ollie. We wouldn’t miss it.”

I couldn’t take the Metro this early, so I drove in, trying my best to enjoy the dark morning sky and the promise of possibility. I usually loved early mornings-the air smelled fresher and the world sparkled with newness-but today my worries kept me from being able to enjoy any of it.

Once in the kitchen, there was very little chatter. After preparing the First Family’s breakfast, we set to work on everything else planned for the day. My mind was on Tom. And Bucky. And getting everything done just right and on time. The annual Egg Roll was a major Washington affair. I remembered the huge crowd waiting patiently for ticket distribution on Saturday. No one wanted to miss it.

Activities were scheduled-and food provided-all day. In addition to the actual rolling of the eggs, there would be a kid-friendly band playing pop hits; famous politicians reading books to youngsters; tours of the gardens; and, of course, visits from the Easter Bunny and other familiar characters.

By eight in the morning, we were ready.

“Let’s roll ’em out,” I said.

Henry began the arduous task of getting the hard-boiled eggs out to the South Lawn. Although he had lots of help from the wait staff, it was still a major production to get the eggs out with minimal breakage, and into place in time for the festivities to begin. We’d boiled about 15,000 eggs in total, dyeing a large portion of them. The remaining undyed eggs were set up at tables where children were offered supplies and the opportunity to decorate their own eggs, if they wished.

The pre-dyed eggs were used in the races. Marguerite Schumacher’s team not only provided giant spoons to push the eggs down their grassy lanes, her volunteers kept order-inasmuch as that was possible-running and timing the races, and naming winners. On a day like today, however, everybody won.

It was nice not to have to worry about that part. Once the boiled eggs were out of my kitchen, I breathed a sigh of relief. They were a huge responsibility and I was happy to deliver the precious eggs into Marguerite’s capable hands. Major hurdle number one: complete.

But then I remembered Bucky. He had worked so hard to get these eggs done-to get them delivered-to make sure everything went smoothly. For all his complaining, the curmudgeon should be here to appreciate the fruits of his efforts. I missed him.

With a grunt, I hoisted a lemonade dispenser onto a wheeled cart. We provided soft drinks and snacks all day. Keeping items cold, and others warm, was one of our biggest challenges. Another important concern was inventory. We wanted to have enough so as not to run out of anything. As Henry and the wait staff wheeled the third and fourth carts of eggs out the back of the White House and toward the South Lawn, I went over the menu again with Cyan. She and I had been alternating outdoor and indoor duty as we confirmed our strategy to replenish the buffet tables at regular intervals. We’d be keeping our runners busy.

On my final trip back to the kitchen, I ran into Cyan on her way out. “We’re good to go,” I said. “Perfect timing. I was just coming to get you.”

Together we headed to our station, just south of the East Wing. The morning was bright, the dew just beginning to evaporate. I wished for a touch more warmth today, and I was hopeful for it. The forecast called for a surge from the south. I rubbed my arms. Five more degrees would do it.

In addition to the official Easter Bunny, who was easily recognized by the massive, beribboned basket he carried, there were at least a dozen other costumed characters strolling the grounds. But most were not ordinary rabbits. Pink-, blue-, and purple-furred, I knew these were actually Secret Service agents in disguise. Cyan and I had seen several of them donning their outfits in the Map Room-the Guzy boys among them. One of the monstrous brothers lumbered by me. With a bulletproof vest and the bright, thick hide, it had to be extra hot in that costume. And no way to even wipe his brow without removing the headpiece. Poor guy.

“The Eagle has landed,” Henry said when he joined us. “Or should I say, the eagle’s eggs have landed?”

There were two long buffet tables set up in the grass, about twenty feet apart. The way we had it planned, Cyan and Henry would each handle one and I’d float between them, overseeing the entire food service, allowing them breaks when needed. It would be a long day, but we’d been through this before. To be honest, we enjoyed this particular event. No one wanted to miss even a minute of the kids’ excitement.

The buffets were set up identically. We offered simple fare-cheese sticks, salads, veggie burgers, and fruit, among other barbecue staples like grilled chicken and hot dogs. We had, in fact, worked hard to keep the menu uncomplicated but sufficient to satisfy as many tastes and dietary needs as possible.

“Here they come,” Cyan said.

I looked up at the wave of humanity rolling toward us. Within minutes, the lawns were packed and veteran egg-rollers made their way to the South Portico, waiting for the First Lady to make her appearance on the Truman Balcony.

I wished I could stand up there, too, just for a moment. I wanted to be able to overlook the grounds. There were tents-giant three-pole monsters, and little one-pole pavilions-set up in strategic spots all over the Ellipse and South Lawn. The large exhibition areas would serve as main stages for the featured tween bands, and the small ones for political dignitaries who’d volunteered to read picture books aloud. There were craft tents, too. Some offered egg dyeing, others allowed kids to create cardboard bunny ears for themselves. With flowers and streamers and balloons against the backdrop of the springy green lawns, this was truly a most beautiful event.

We always had a huge contingent of volunteers. Most of them were local teens, some were members of the Egg Board, but all were easily recognized by their white aprons and big smiles. The sun warmed my bare forearms. But I still felt an unhappy chill.

Cyan and I were putting our finishing touches on the buffets when the music strummed to life. I heard the beginning strains of “Easter Bonnet,” and looked up to see two full-size yellow bunnies accompanying the First Lady on the Truman Balcony.

Those of us on staff had been told what the visiting public had not. All yellow bunnies were performers. The rest of the “hare” staff, aside from the official “Easter Bunny,” of course, were Secret Service agents in disguise. They would keep in character by mingling and interacting with the kids, but in case of trouble, the pink, purple, and blue rabbits were on call.

The yellow bunnies on the balcony were pretending to conduct the band while the families on the ground stared up, enjoying the beautiful music and crisp spring day. When the song ended, Mrs. Campbell stepped to the microphone. She gave a short speech of welcome and reminded everyone that the races would begin when her husband blew the whistle.

From that moment on, it was a whirlwind. My team and I worked the grills, barely getting time to look up and enjoy the show. When we did, during the infrequent lulls, I watched the little kids run around in bouncing bunny ears while happy parents looked on. Next to us, a kiddie band played nursery rhyme songs, and in spite of all I had on my mind, I found myself humming the ditties by early afternoon. Catchy little buggers.

At some point soon, the Marine Band would be called upon to play. I thought how much Mom and Nana would be thrilled to hear them.

I checked my watch. They should be here by now. After a quick confirmation that things had slowed down and everything was under control, I asked Henry to oversee the process while I went to find my family. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

He waved a spatula at me. “Take your time.”

I made my way down the gentle slope toward the Ellipse, where guests were still arriving. I had told Mom that I would be stationed near the East Wing, so I hoped to find them somewhere in the approaching crowd.

“Ollie!”

I turned. Nana was waving-her smile as bright as the day had turned out to be. I changed directions, and was about to ask where Mom was when Nana closed the distance between us and grabbed my arm. “Guess who we ran into?”

“I have no idea-”

“Ollie!” Kap called as he and my mother made their way around a group of stroller-pushing parents. “Wonderful party.”

I gave him an auto-pilot response: “Thanks.” Then collected my thoughts. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “Do you have grandkids participating?”

He laughed. “No, unfortunately. I have a little business to take care of today.” Well, wasn’t that cryptic. “It’s amazing what events you can attend when you pull a few strings. But I am delighted to see you again.” At that he tugged my mom’s arm tighter into his. “This has been a most pleasant surprise.”

Nana nudged me. What she wanted me to say or do, I had no idea. “Mom, I want to be able to take you inside later,” I said, and then turning to Nana, “Both of you.” So as not to appear too rude to Kap, I added, “My family has never been inside the White House.”

“Then you are in for a treat,” he said. He looked about to say more, but his eyes tightened. I followed his gaze. Phil Cooper and his wife had just struck up a conversation with Ruth and Joel Minkus. Why Kap should be distressed by this, I had no idea, but I read his concern as clearly as if there were a neon sign above his head advertising it. “Will you excuse me?” he asked. With that he turned and walked away.

“That was strange,” Nana said.

The Coopers and the Minkuses looked to be engaged in lighthearted conversation, but when Cooper leaned forward to say something to Ruth, she instinctively leaned back. Body language rarely lied, and I wondered what vibe she’d gotten from this man that made her want to keep her distance. No matter. I found it more interesting that when Kap approached, all conversation stopped. So, why not join the happy little party to find out more?

“Let’s go say hello,” I said, and led Mom and Nana closer.

“Good to see you, Ruth. You, too, Joel,” Kap said, shaking Joel’s hand. Ruth murmured politely.

Kap held a hand out to Cooper and introduced himself. Cooper obliged and both men acted as though they had never met before. What was up with that?

Kap shot me a look that reminded me of my promise not to mention his presence at the White House the other day. But none of this made any sense. D.C. was a small enough town. They could have run into one another any number of ways-and they had both been at Minkus’s wake. Their charade made me curious and the hairs on the back of my neck began to prickle.

“It’s good to see you, Ollie,” Ruth said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “This event is so cheerful. And we needed something to cheer us up. We’re very glad we came, aren’t we, Joel?”

Joel put his arm around her. “Very glad.” He turned to me. “My mom needed a break. She’s been staying in the house by herself all the time.”

“Look over there,” she said excitedly. “Senator Fredrickson. Go say hello.”

He shook his head. “I’m here for you today, Mom.”

I was close enough to hear her whisper, “And the whole reason we came out was for you to network. So get going. You will never win that senate seat without help.” She pushed at him. “Go on.”

He obliged, clearly under duress.

“Now that the crowds have died down, maybe you ladies would like something to eat?” Kap asked. “How about we sample these lovely buffets?”

“That sounds wonderful,” Mom said. She and Nana joined Kap. And, much to my surprise, the Coopers and Ruth followed.

“Help yourselves,” I said, “while I make sure everything is under control.”

I checked in with Henry, who waved me off. “We’re doing fine,” he said with a wink. “I have done this before, you know.”

Cyan called me over. “Henry is enjoying his time in charge again. Take advantage of it. Go enjoy your family. We’re fine.”

Mom and Nana had gotten in line in the right-hand buffet behind Ruth Minkus and Francine Cooper. Kap and Phil Cooper went to the left. As I passed behind the two men, I heard Cooper whisper, “I told Ruth we were getting close.”

Kap’s reply was tense. “You didn’t tell her what was missing?”

“No, of course not. She still thinks it was an inside job.”

“She doesn’t suspect?”

Cooper almost laughed. “I think she suspects you.”

Kap kept his voice low. “She despises me. But I understand why. And if Joel has political aspira-” He stopped himself when he saw me. “Ollie, what can I do for you?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing. Are you finding everything you need?”

Kap gave me a puzzled look. I could tell he was wondering whether I’d overheard them. What did Ruth not suspect? That her husband had been poisoned by some missing tetrodotoxin?

Cooper seemed unfazed by my sudden appearance. He smiled, and brought his face close enough to mine that no one nearby would be able to hear him. “Thank you, Ms. Paras, for not mentioning our visit the other day.” He glanced around. “At least not to those outside the White House.”

“I will be the first to admit I don’t understand,” I said. “But-”

“Yes, thank you,” Kap said, cutting me off.

Just then Mom and Nana joined the group, looking for a place to sit. “When you’re finished,” I said to them, “I can take you on that tour.”

Because I didn’t think it appropriate to sit and eat with the guests, I meandered over to watch an egg roll race, reflecting on how this was exactly the sort of family event that our nation was famous for. I talked with a couple of volunteers and then made my way back to the buffets. Ruth was waiting for me. “Why is Kap sitting with your mother?” she asked.

I shrugged, not thrilled about the situation myself. “They’ve been seeing each other,” I said. “Socially.”

Her lips tightened into a thin line. “I don’t trust him. I don’t think you should, either.”

“Why not?”

She gave me a meaningful look. “He is not who he seems to be.”

Instinctively, I moved closer. “What do you mean?”

“I shouldn’t tell you this,” she said, her eyes wide. “Because I’m not even supposed to know…” Her words came fast, as though she were afraid she might get cut off. “But my husband found out that Kap”-she gestured toward the crowd with her eyes-“was selling U.S. secrets to China.”

My heart skipped a beat, then began to race. Ruth grabbed my arm. “Kap only pretends he was my husband’s good friend now that he’s dead. But Carl saw through him.”

“Do you have proof?”

She squeezed my arm hard. “No, of course not. Don’t you think I would come forward if I did?” Looking morose, she glanced to where Joel was chatting up a senator from Illinois. “Carl had proof. He told me he did. And Carl was about to blow the whistle on Kap.” She swallowed, glancing around yet again. “So Kap had him killed. And Cooper was the one who did it,” she said. “Right under my nose.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I need your help. And Howard Liss trusts you.”

Liss, I thought. That’s when the light dawned. Ruth was the confidential source he kept talking about.

“Ollie!” Nana called to me from about twenty feet away. “We’re ready.”

I waved. “I’ll be there in a minute.” I was trying to process Ruth’s revelation. “What does Liss have to do with this?”

“He knows the whole story,” she said. “He’s the one who figured out the connection between Cooper and Kap. Howard Liss has been following this story from day one and keeping me updated. I help him, too, a little bit. I trust him. And he trusts you.”

I shook my head. “I don’t trust Liss.”

“Whether you do or not,” she said, “we need your help. We need to uncover their treason before they kill anyone else.”

Nana called me again. “I really have to get going,” I said, inching away.

Ruth’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me. “Don’t you care about your country?” she asked.

That irked me. “Of course I do,” I said, with more than a little spirit. “But if you’re depending on Liss for your information, I want no part of it.”

She looked stricken, then resolute. “Listen,” she said, talking quickly, “Kap plans to kill Cooper. Did you know that?”

I didn’t want to continue this conversation and tried again to make excuses, when she said, “You didn’t believe that those two just met today, did you?”

So she knew. Stunned silent, I waited for her to continue.

“Cooper and Kap pretended they didn’t know each other. That was for my benefit,” she said, pointing her finger hard into her chest. “Cooper killed my husband. Now Kap needs to get rid of that loose end. He’s going to do that by killing Cooper.”

I waved to Nana and Mom, who were still waiting. Next to them, Kap stared at me with an odd expression on his face. I turned to Ruth. “What do you need me to do?”