The Atlantis Stone

CHAPTER 25

Elizabeth was heading back to her desk with her first morning cup of coffee when Stephanie came into the office holding a newspaper under her arm. She looked grim.

"I think you'd better see this."

"What's the matter, Steph?"

Stephanie handed her the folded paper.

"Take a look."

Elizabeth opened the paper, a Washington tabloid that thrived on Beltway scandal. On the front page was a picture of Elizabeth and Hood locked in what looked like a passionate embrace.

"Jesus," Harker said. "Fondling."

She sat down, her coffee forgotten. A headache began, quick and sharp.

"What were you thinking?" Stephanie said.

"What do you mean, what was I thinking? We came out of the restaurant and he kissed me."

"Don't go defensive on me, Elizabeth. We're going to have to do some damage control."

"What control? There isn't a damn thing we can do that won't make it worse for Clarence."

"What about you?"

"What about me? You saw what it said. I'm the 'unknown female companion.' It's Clarence who has the bigger problem."

"It's only a question of time until they figure out who you are," Stephanie said. "There are plenty of people who would love to see you knocked down."

"I wonder if he's seen it yet. I'd better call."

She got her phone out of her purse and dialed Hood's number. He picked up on the second ring.

"Good morning, Elizabeth."

"Have you seen the morning papers?"

"I have. I was about to call you."

"How do you think we should respond? They may not know who I am yet, but your enemies are going to come after you with their knives out. This is the kind of thing those idiots on the Hill love to get their hands on."

"There isn't much we can do. Any action we take will make things worse. We'll have to ride it out."

"And if the politicians come after you?"

"I'll deal with that as I have to. Even the Director of the CIA is allowed to have a personal life."

"All they have to do is insinuate suspicious activity and start one of their endless investigations."

"There's one thing they need to take into account," Hood said.

"What's that?"

His voice took on a dark edge Elizabeth had never heard before. It reminded her that Hood headed up one of the most powerful government agencies in the world.

"Their personal lives won't hold up to public scrutiny. By going after me, they're going after the Agency. It's not a good idea to take on the CIA. If they try to bring either one of us down over a kiss, they'll find they've opened Pandora's box. I won't let them involve you."

"I always wanted a knight in armor."

Hood chuckled. "If they come after us, they'll be the ones that need armor."

"What do you think the president will do?"

"I haven't heard from him yet, but the day is young. Rice will back us up. He doesn't like Congress any more than we do. He won't be happy about it though."

"No, I don't expect he will."

"I'm sorry you've been dragged before the public eye. From time to time these vultures follow me around, hoping for an opportunity like this."

"It goes with the territory," Elizabeth said. "It hasn't happened to me before but I'm not high profile like you."

"After this you may be."

He paused. Elizabeth heard someone talking in the background.

"I have to go," Hood said.

"Let me know what the president says. For what it's worth, Clarence, that was a pretty good kiss."

"Likewise, Elizabeth. I'll call you later."

He disconnected. Elizabeth turned to Stephanie.

"Let's get back to work. This is a distraction, but I'm not going to let it interfere. At least not much."

"Unless you have something you want me to do, I'm working on the latest ISIS encryption scheme."

"That's fine. I have to go through the morning brief for the White House. Until we hear from Nick, it's back to normal."

"Normal?"

"Whatever that is."

Stephanie looked at the row of clocks on the wall.

"He should check in soon."