Devastating Secret™

Old Habits

"Finally, you're free to meet with me." Johnathon greeted as he stepped into Eva's office.

"It's been a little crazy here plus I think you know why I was so reluctant to meet with you." Eva pointed out seriously as she took her seat and she didn't offer him one.

"There's a slight resemblance," Johnathon stated. "can't believe I missed it."

"What do you want?" Eva asked coldly.

"You're so much like him you know." Johnathon began pouring himself a drink from her minibar and making himself comfortable in her armchair. "All this power right at your manicured fingertips, what have you been up to?"

"Doing what is expected of me, what else." Eva responded hating the useless delay.

"You'll never admit to anything will you." Eva gave him a confused look and he continued "No you're too smart for that. Does Noah know who you are?"

"Of course, he does." Eva responded truthfully. "He supposed to."

"Very smart." Johnathan praised as he took a sip.

"Are you going to get to the point anytime today. I'm giving up playtime with my kids for this." Eva told him irritably.

"I'm assuming a woman of your talents would be aware if this room was bugged or not." He asked pointedly.

"Why would I know or even care if my office is bugged?"

"I saw you at that dinner." Johnathon stated suddenly. "You are not what you seem."

"What you saw at the dinner was a woman who has martial arts skills and trains with her FBI agent husband, nothing more."

"Bull." Cross stated "Noah looked scared and not for you. Of you. Now I'll ask again Madam First Lady, what are you?"

"I'm a woman whose pissed you just wasted five minutes of my life."

"What did he use you for? What is your mission here? Is he really dead?" Cross grilled as he fired questions at her.

"This is the weirdest conversation I've ever had..."

"Don't toy with me!" Cross gritted out, slapping his hand on her desk.

Eva glanced his hand, then up to his eyes and declared softly "This has been a waste of my time and if you value your position in my husband's Cabinet, you would do well not to threaten me. Noah wouldn't like anyone making me uncomfortable and you're making me uncomfortable."

Johnathon leaned back in his chair watching her. He swallowed at the threat and stated menacingly "I can go to the press. Let them know what their precious President and First Lady are up to."

"Please do, Noah can't wait to arrest someone for treason." Eva said softly.

"Treason?"

"And just how you are going to explain where you got your so-called theory from?" Eva asked him and watched him turn pale. "Yes, I'm sure we can come up with a lot of theories about you." She assured him "Only in your case, they wouldn't be theories would they." When he remained silent she continued "You know being a wife of an FBI agent you learn a few things. Did you know Noah does a background check on everyone he meets? It's irritating, believe me I know. But it's a very good habit to have when you're going to choose members for your Cabinet. Which is why now you're wondering – how am I still here?" At his shocked look she finished "Just say thank you, Senator Cross that I was in a forgiving mood."

Johnathon never felt so scared in his life. The woman held his life in the palm of her hands. With Welker he knew how to placate him, with her he had nothing to offer and no cards to play. She held them all. She could've killed him if she wished and he would've been none the wiser about her knowledge or existence. If it wasn't for the deadly show at the dinner party, he would've never been able to put two and two together. Both Eva and Welker gave that same deadly look to anyone who crossed them. No, he just realized she wasn't like her father, she was way worse.