Chapter 57
7:45 a.m.
United States Naval Observatory - Washington, DC
A black SUV pulled up the circular driveway in front of the Vice President’s official residence.
The back door opened, and Susan Hopkins stepped out. The Iraqi doctor had set her arm and her wrist in the night. Her face was beyond his abilities—he had merely put a topical painkiller on the burns so she could sleep.
She had talked to Pierre just fifteen minutes ago, after she was assured it was safe to do so. He had cried, and she almost did, too. She still hadn’t talked to the girls.
She walked up the path toward the big white house wearing full body armor under her suit. Chuck Berg walked with her, as did Walter Brenna.
The house was beautiful, and it had never looked more beautiful than it did this morning. She
