"Now an update on the Claude Walker attack investigation: We have just received disturbing news. The culprits that were apprehended suddenly died all at the same time while in custody. The authorities are not disclosing further news on this except they're interpreting it as a punishment from whoever sent them for the failed job. This news coupled with the fact that already, some lost their lives during the altercation; it only means that the Claude Walker attack investigation is facing a dead end-"
Beep.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk", a hand reached for a remote and turned off the TV. They dropped the remote on top of files that sat on top of a mahogany desk. The person hummed and shook their head at the disturbing news. They clicked their tongue again.
They rapped their fingers on the desk, a thick gold ring with a python insignia shone under the bright light reflecting from the sun shining through their window. They pressed a button on their landline.
"Sir?" A female voice resounded from the machine.
"Connect me to the President's line", he responded in his deep voice.
"Yes, sir."
He picked up the receiver with one hand and used the other to run it through his chocolate brown hair that had hints of grays. A soft beep resounded in his ear before a familiar voice belonging to the president resounded.
"Yes?" Came the President's authoritative tone.
"Tom, it's me Harold", he spoke.
"Oh, Harold", Tom sighed into the phone.
"I am so sorry buddy. I just saw the news. I know this is a lot for you", Harold sympathized.
"Oh...", He sighed again. "You know, I can take the threats because I knew what this position meant and everything that came with it, it's why I willingly sent him away in the first place. But now, attacking my son and we don't even know who...."
"I know, I know you probably did a lot to get to the bottom of things. You actually have done more than you give yourself credit for ever since Eleanor passed. And Claude knows this."
"I just feel so... So incapable", Tom sighed again. "I feel like I'm failing her and the promise I made."
"You're not. You....", Harold sighed. He hated it when his friend felt down like this. And he knew he would be the moment he saw the news, it's why he decided to call immediately. He needed to make sure he was okay. "How about this? Why don't we get the kids together and have Lucia make us all something nice and hot to eat?"
Tom chuckled, "Kids? You know that Claude is turning 30 this year, right?"
"Really? Lisa is 19 but I feel like I'm still living with a toddler", he grumbled inciting a laugh from the other man. "She is nothing like her sister."
"Sabrina has always been different", Tom agreed.
"Mm. So, are we doing this? Dinner this evening at your place? I know it's not ideal for Claude to move around and I don't want you worrying any more than you are", Harold poured out his sincerity.
"You're so kind my friend. We will be expecting you."
The two friends exchanged a few more words before ending the call. Harold retrieved his personal phone from the table and dialed his wife.
"Hello darling", a woman's cheery voice echoed in his ear.
"Yes, I just made dinner plans with Tom and Claude at the Whitehouse. Do you think you can make us your special chicken casserole dish?"
"Harold Sanders, how dare you make plans without telling me?" She grumbled.
The man chuckled, already picturing her lower lip protruding in a pout. "Alright, I was wrong. But think of the situation, Tom needs some cheering up. Do you think you can do it? I'll get you that designer bag you wanted?"
"And Lisa."
"And Lisa? What about her?"
"She wants us to have matching bags so you have to get it for both of us", she said in a small voice.
"Oh, the both of you will be the death of me. Why can't you be more like Sabrina?" He complained.
"Do you want this dinner or not?" She threatened.
"Alright, alright. Consider it done. Tell the girls to get ready too. I'll come home after work and we'll leave for the Whitehouse together."
"Alright. Bring the bags with you."
She hang up before he could say anything else. He chuckled at her cheekiness. He dialed for his assistant and conveyed the message before resuming his earlier work.
At the Whitehouse
It had only been five minutes but to May, it felt like an eternity. While she looked like she had accidentally stepped on poop, the other two people in the room were practically mirroring each other's impassive expressions.
Should she say she can read lips? That would be an obvious lie since Kareena did not repeat word for word what Kendra said. And even if she did, Claude would not be asking that question as they all would have heard the context of the report. What should she say that is believable? What to do? What should she-
"I have excellent hearing than most", she blurted out, a serious facade easily concealing her panic. "When I was young, I had awfully big ears that my hearing was actually better than our dog's, no, I can hear a whisper from a mile away. My parents had me undergo an ear reduction surgery because I was hearing things I shouldn't for my young age especially at night because they're very active-"
"Okay!" Kareena was growing uncomfortable with where May's web of lies were headed.
"The point is, surgery didn't fix it, I can still hear better than many", she nodded to herself, hoping to come across as believable as possible.
Claude's facial expression did not change. There was no telling if he believed her or he saw through her bullshit. She could not read him at all! His silence gnawed at the insides of May as she desperately wanted to get past this moment and move on.