Aztec Treasure

President Laura Kettering’s POV

White House Press Room

I waited in the next room with everyone involved as my Press Secretary laid down the rules. “The President will make a statement and may take questions following. I don’t want a bunch of yelling and screaming. Act like professionals, and I’ll call on you like one.” I hated how some of them behaved, and it rubbed off on my Press Secretary. I made it a point never to acknowledge or answer a question shouted at me. They were learning. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States.”

Everyone rose as I entered the room, followed by the Vice President and my Chief of Staff. I went to the podium as they waited at the back of the room. “My fellow Americans. Yesterday, in a brazen and unprovoked attack, Julio Salazar killed four brave Secret Service agents and took my husband hostage.” The fourth agent had died during surgery. “Last night, we received his demands. He thinks that I will do anything to save my husband. Let me be clear on one thing: the United States does not cave to the demands of terrorists. The President of the United States cannot be held hostage to demands, nor can she perform her duties while her heart is with the man she loves. As such, I am invoking the twenty-fifth amendment to the Constitution at my discretion. I am stepping down temporarily from this office for the duration of this crisis. Mr. Vice President?”

The room erupted as Robert stepped forward, and we ignored it. I signed the document first, then Robert signed it. “With this letter, I formally notify the President Pro Tem of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of my temporary inability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the office of President of the United States. The Vice President is now the Acting President. He will remain in that capacity until I notify them in writing that I am once again able to resume my Constitutional duties. If Congress does not act to keep me out of the office four days later, I will resume the duties of the Office of the President of the United States.”

I handed the papers to my Chief of Staff, who left with them to deliver it to Congress. I shook his hand before he waved me back to the podium. “Acting President Cartwright now has the sworn duty to defend the Constitution against its enemies, and I am no more than a private citizen, with none of the power or authority of the office. Now that I’m just Laura again, what I do next will not reflect on official US policy or actions.”

The door opened, and two security guards pushed a cart into the room containing the five large duffel bags of money. “This is what ten million dollars in cash looks like,” I said. I opened one of the bags, taking out a handful of bundled hundred dollar bills and showing them to the cameras. “The money is my own, as is the decision to meet Julio’s demands. The ransom will be waiting with the plane tonight.”

The reporters started shouting questions, but I picked one who raised her hand quietly. “Miss Thompson?”

“Madam President, the ransom demands included Alpha Chase Nygaard and Maria Meztli. Are those demands going to be met?”

“The demands are known to both people. Even when I was President, I could not compel them to do anything like this. What I do know is that Julio is without honor or courage. Julio’s threatening the life of my husband to get Alpha Chase Nygaard delivered to him in chains. He knows that is the only way he’ll get him because he doesn’t have the BALLS to face him alone.”

“Are you saying you’ll deliver Alpha Chase to him?”

“I’m saying Alpha Chase is more of a man than Julio is. He is willing to put himself in harm’s way for a friend, which I am proud to say that I am. When Chase shows up, it’s on. He is going to kill Julio like the gutless little Hijo de Puta that he is.” That should get his attention. “Maria and Maritza will go to the winner.”

“They are coming?”

“My understanding is that Chase, Maria, and Maritza will be arriving in Leesburg tonight. Chase Nygaard knows how unstable and dangerous Salazar is, and he volunteered to tear Julio’s furry little butt up until he gives up the location of my husband. That is the end of my statement, and I will not be taking questions. Thank you for coming, and God Bless America.”

The Acting President stayed in the room, and I walked out a free woman. My Secret Service team met me, along with Frank Grimes and the FBI Director. “Think that will stir him up?”

“Our profilers think so,” Hugh Patterson said. “He’s a megalomaniac, always thinking he is superior to everyone else. The Sons of Tezcatlipoca never backed down from a challenge, and Chase is bringing that in spades. Julio has to respond.”

“I hope so,” I said. “Where am I going to be tonight?”

“Nowhere near Leesburg,” Hugh said. “You should watch from the Situation Room in case the airport is a diversion.”

“Well, I’m heading to the Residence to get some sleep,” I told them. “Wake me if something important comes up with the case. If it’s President stuff, it’s Robert’s problem now.” With that, I walked back to my bedroom and was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Chase Nygaards’ POV

Leesburg Executive Airport

“So this is what the minnow feels like on the hook,” Maria said to me. We were standing together on the tarmac, fifty feet from the idling engines of a Learjet on a remote taxiway. We’d arrived just after seven PM on a private jet of our own that was getting fueled up for the return trip. Since we got dropped off at the new plane, we’d been standing in front of the stairs.

“It must be,” I replied. I’d been keeping the link open with Frank and the Arrowhead wolves since I arrived, so he was listening to everything I said and thought. “Maria, we’re surrounded by dozens of armed agents. I’ve got fifty werewolves who can be here within thirty seconds. I should feel safe, but I don’t. My gut’s twisted in knots. It’s like there is something bad about to happen.”

“I’ve had that feeling all day,” she replied. Maritza was fussing in her car seat, wanting to run around, and we couldn’t do that. The baby’s safest place is in her car carrier. “Do you think Julio’s demands are just a bullshit diversion? Look at that money; there’s no way he’s going anywhere without a truck and outside help. Who the hell is going to help him? The Feds will come down on them like hellfire.”

“I was wondering the same thing. Even if we take off, the military will track us to wherever we go, and you can bet the military has prepositioned SEALs and Special Forces to get us back. And ten million? That’s nothing. Not even the Cartels will risk war with the US over a lousy ten million. Frank, what do you think?”

“I’ve been wondering the same thing. The President is damn near a billionaire. He could have asked for ten times that, and she would have paid it in gold, diamonds, bearer bonds, even bitcoin.”

“It’s almost eight. Where the hell is he? Do we have anything yet?”

“Nothing. No sign of Julio at all.”

I looked over to Maria, who wasn’t part of the Pack Link conversation. “Frank is wondering why he didn’t ask for a hundred million in bitcoin instead.”

“He got you here, and he killed the CIA Director at five hundred yards. Is it that simple? Is he planning to shoot you in front of the cameras?” There were news vans everywhere outside the airport, reporting live.

“I can’t see Julio being satisfied with a long-range kill. These Sons of Tezcatlipoca assholes, they like their vengeance up close and personal. Our Club in Orlando had an ex-DEA agent who testified against the Sons and another club. The Sons compromised Witness Protection and found him twenty years later with his wife and daughter. They raped and tortured his wife in front of him before they killed him. The Sons want the whole bloodline wiped out.”

Maria looked off towards the setting sun. “So if he wants vengeance on you, why are you here instead of your family?”

“Frank?”

“She’s right. Killing the First Husband before the President fits the pattern, but you don’t. Unless…”

The answer hit me like a thunderbolt. “Julio’s not here because he’s at ARROWHEAD! Son of a BITCH! He’s going after my family!” I pulled my phone out and called the Pack security line. “It’s Chase. RED ALERT ARROWHEAD! Get Rori and the babies to the safe room NOW!”