On the drive home from the airport, Gwen received a call from Amber Stahl. They spoke for quite a while before Gwen placed her phone back in her purse.
"Amber wants to interview us about our trip to DC. She was upset last week when we told her about our trip and her station wouldn't send her to cover it. They felt that the heavy hitters, like Bill Hardy would have the thing covered. Channel 5 is an affiliate of the CBC network. Their world and national news is anchored by Hardy. Amber tells me that the station wishes now that it had sent her to cover us.
"She said her news director heard the rumor that Hardy clashed with us this morning and was escorted from the hotel. The local station was disappointed that it didn't have more coverage of Saturday night. They told Amber that she'd be traveling with us when we went to any significant events from now on. Her interview tomorrow will be replayed, at least in part, on the network's morning show. She's going to meet us at the school a little early. She thought it would be good backdrop while she asked us questions.
"She wants Kate, Jordan, and us to be available for the interview. She's going to ask about that encounter you had with that Chechen, so be ready for that. I'll probably tell her about our invitation to Paris, unless you have an objection, Steve."
"I'm going to be on TV! What should I wear? What will she ask me? What if I sound stupid? Mom, you have to record it for me!" insisted Kate.
"Go ahead and tell her about Paris. She'll be excited about that trip," agreed Steve before whispering, "Don't mention our personal plans!"
Just then, Steve's phone rang and he spent the next few minutes in conversation. When it was over, Steve filled Gwen in on the discussion. "That was Nick Fallen. He said that they worked hard to finish the TV movie ahead of schedule so that they could broadcast it next month. The network wants to strike while the iron's hot. He said with the terrorist attack, my walk in the blizzard, and the minor melee at the hotel last night have all combined to make the iron very hot. There's talk of a sequel and HBO is interested this time. Nick suggested that we hold out for more money since HBO will be involved and they have more viewers, and more cash."
The next morning saw Amber's news van parked in front of the school. Students gathered to watch her interview Steve and the girls. "Tell us, Kate, how did it feel to meet the president? Did you dance with him, or with anyone famous"?
"I danced with two senators, a couple congressmen, and best of all, Steve Hammer! I did shake hands with the president and the first lady. It was an amazing adventure. I'd go again," understated Kate.
"Jordan Quick, you've enjoyed great success in country music. You've also had a well documented fall from grace with addiction problems. You just attended a state dinner at the White House. Do you see your career back on track now?"
"I guess that's a fair question. The fast answer is 'yes', but that wouldn't tell the whole story. My career started back when I finally entered rehab to get well. When I was discharged, Clyde Davis, my manager, insisted that I record with Steve and work on a TV show they were taping. He told me it would resurrect my career.
"Gwen and Steve have become my friends. They've been tough on me when I needed it, but they've been generous and gracious all the time. I've grown up a lot in the past month. Being with them and seeing the amazing things they do and how they interact with people makes me want to be a better person. I'm working on that. My career is healthier now because I'm healthier, both mentally and physically."
"Thank you, Ms. Quick. Gwen, you danced with the President of the United States and the President of France. How did you feel and what did you talk about?"
"It felt very exciting. I never dreamed I would ever have an opportunity like that. As far as what we talked about? I'd have to say that we talked about Steve Hammer for the most part. They both wanted to know more about him. I told President Hanson that since Steve was going to the Naval Academy, he would be close at hand and available if he should be needed. Having a capable, loyal American that speaks, Farsi, Russian, and French can be very useful. I told President D'Anjou that we'd do our best to visit him and his family in Paris since his daughter so graciously invited us."
"Paris? That sounds like a wonderful trip!" enthused Amber before reigning in her excitement. "Steve, you were involved in an altercation with a former KGB agent that's now known to be a Chechen rebel. He's wanted in Russia for suspicion of several violent murders. How did you know that he was going to harm the lady he was walking to the door and has there been any contact from the Russian Embassy since your heroic actions on behalf of a deputy's wife?"
"I heard the fellow threaten her in Russian, so it was obvious that she needed help. I asked her if she was in trouble and the man behind her attacked me. Luckily, his first and only shot hit his accomplice. I was fortunate enough to come out on top in the struggle. I have this black eye to show for it," admitted Steve with a sardonic grin. "The ambassador's daughter thanked me the next day, but it was personal and not on behalf of the embassy or anything."
"You make it sound so matter-of-fact. You can speak Russian. You were able to defeat a KGB trained assassin in hand to hand combat. You actually stopped the man the second time he tried to attack the woman while your hands were cuffed behind your back. Have you heard anything more about the matter from the Russian government, or the American government?"
"It all happened pretty fast. I was very lucky. An innocent person could have been shot. I haven't heard from any governments and I don't really expect that I will. I'm just happy that the lady is okay and no innocent people were injured."
As soon as the interview was over, the kids headed for their homerooms. Ms. Walker greeted Gwen and Steve with a big smile. "The hospital fund went over $500,000 this past weekend. Donations from large corporations and companies have increased. Your clothing line has kicked in over $15,000 already.
"This campaign has been an unbelievable success, and that's mostly the result of everything you two have done to make this work. We have almost three months left, so we should be able to build the total even higher. It would be great if we had a million dollars by graduation. I know that isn't likely, but it would be a tremendous pleasure to announce that total in front of all the parents. But whatever the total, it'll be a wonderful moment for all of us."
"Do you want to tell Ms. Walker, or shall I?" asked Gwen, as she watched for Steve to nod at her. "Clyde Davis called last night. He's roughly edited those TV shows we shot in LA, but CBC has already been pushing very hard to buy them. He told us that the network offered a huge sum. It would guarantee at least a million dollars for the hospital fund. Clyde told them it wasn't enough! He said we'd agree if CBC would ante up another million just to buy an option to hire us to tape two more shows. If they decide to enforce it, that option would net the hospital fund another two million dollar payment."
