Lady in Red Pt. 03 Ch. 08

"I want that girl expelled!" he demanded loudly. "In fact, every one of these students that left the building need to be expelled. You can't disrespect a national leader like this! I'm a senator from this state! What are you schools teaching these kids?"

The cameras still running, Superintendent replied calmly. "Senator Lancer, I wish our school system could take the credit for what we just witnessed, but I think probably the same thing would have happened in Anytown, USA.

"We had a tragedy here yesterday, and it's affected all of us. These young adults had a firsthand look at true leadership, love and compassion, and I've never been prouder of my students than I am at this moment. They're taking a stand and making a statement. They're doing so peacefully and with restraint. They're following the powerful example of their Queen and her Warrior. They'll work to make our community, our state, and our nation a better place."

Cameras were trained on Lancer as he listened to the Superintendent impossibly defending his students' behavior. His face was almost purple with rage as he turned to glare at the reporters and the cameras that had been covering the entire episode. Twice he attempted to articulate his emotions, but no words were forthcoming.

Reporters began calling out to him, asking questions about the day's turn of events. An aide hurried into the gym and to Lancer's side. He took the Senator's elbow in his hand to lead him out a side door where their limo was parked.

"Jesus!" exclaimed Vince Rosen as he sat watching the events transpire on television. "That kid just pounded another nail into Lancer's coffin. That took some nerve!"

"She was emulating Gwen," replied Cyndi. "Steve and Gwen were in that town for less than a day, and they managed to inspire and uplift the entire community. The whole world has come to think of her as their Queen."

"Tell me about it!" responded Vince as he gazed lovingly at his wife. "Every world leader she's ever met, and some she hasn't, have called to ask what's going on. Each one of them was upset about Gwen being removed from office. It took some effort to convince them she and Steve weren't going to seize control of the government, but it looks very possible Gwen will again be leading the U.S. in three years. Seeing the problems Lancer is already having only reinforces my belief."

"I'm extremely proud of you, Vince. You're a great man doing a very difficult job. That said, I'll be happy to welcome Gwen back to the White House, so we can relax a little and enjoy life while we still can," admitted Cyndi.

Gwen felt the phone in her jacket vibrate, so she dug it out and checked her messages. She signaled Steve she wanted him to pull over when it was safe. They had been riding for five hours and were in eastern Tennessee when Steve led the group into a rest area. Gwen stepped away from the group and placed a call.

Less than a minute later, Gwen signaled for Steve, Tyler and Sybil to come over and join her. "Hanna Kiss was trying to reach me. I just called her back. She's frantic. Her daughter Lena's been taken, and the kidnappers phoned her to demand ten million dollars in ransom! They expect her to get the money from us."

"Is she still in Hungry," asked Steve as he considered the information Gwen had relayed.

"That's just it. They're in Sparta. Lena was kidnapped in our home town!"