He shook his head. “We’re taking too big a risk. If they find out we’re involved…”
Her eyes wide, she said, “What are you talking about? If who finds out?”
“I’m not sure. But I think your boss has something to do with it.”
“Carolyn?” Her voice rose in volume. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Please, sit down,” Jack said, “and we’ll discuss this.”
“I’m fine where I am. I’m not sure what you think Carolyn has done, but I can assure you she would never do anything to hurt anyone.” She stood, fists propped on her hips, her chin set at a defiant tilt.
“Kate. I know she’s your friend, and that may be the very reason you aren’t seeing the truth.”
“Can you prove these accusations?” Anger resonated in her voice.
“Not yet. But I have substantial evidence.” He walked to the desk, and showed her the E-mail to Cain signed with a C. “And. I have Adam Miles’s journal that links Carolyn to Cain.” He didn’t bother telling her about the recording that he’d gotten at the bridge. Without the tape, he’d never prove it was Carolyn’s voice.
“I don’t believe any of this.” Katherine said. “There has to be a logical explanation.”
“Maybe there is. But until this is resolved, we should live apart.”
“You’re not responsible for me. I can make my own decisions.”
He sighed, then approached her. “I’m afraid I’m putting you in danger,” he said softly. “In fact, I
She met his gaze. “I’m afraid, Jack.”
“Afraid of what?”
“Afraid that you’re irrationally obsessed with this whole thing. First, a complete stranger meets you at the Golden Gate, and you take his word as gospel. Then, you’re convinced it’s Mark Dailey.”
“I know it all sounds odd.”
“Odd? It’s more than odd. And now you’re pulling up E-mail messages from an address that could belong to anyone, and you’re telling me it’s the First Lady communicating with a mercenary.”
“Katherine, do you know how many investigations I’ve done in my years as a reporter?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Thousands. And most of them started out with much less to go on than this.”
“I’m not doubting your professionalism. I just think you’re too personally involved because of your father.”
“Oh. I’m personally involved, all right,” Jack said. “And I’ve got bruises all over my body to prove it.”
“You’re on the wrong track. Carolyn is a great person. I won’t stand by and watch you attack my friend. This is wrong, Jack, very wrong.”
“Is this a deal breaker for our relationship?”
She stepped back. “Maybe. I’m not sure.”
Jack started to speak, then stopped. His gaze locked with hers, he clenched his jaw as he fought his emotions.
“The break will do us good,” she said. “We’ve been moving fast, probably too fast. We both need time to think.”
“You think that’s what this is about? That I need time to think?” Jack asked.
“It makes more sense than the alternative,” Katherine said.
Jack shook his head. “I don’t deserve this. I’ve never been anything but straight with you. And I’m getting sick of being accused of underhanded behavior. I don’t care if you think I’m off base on my investigation, but I do care that you doubt my integrity. I don’t use words like
He picked up his bag and walked out the door.
SEVENTY-TWO
Carolyn walked toward the Oval Office. Her footfalls echoed in the evening quiet. She’d given a lot of thought to Warner’s rejection of her War on Drugs proposal, and decided that she just needed to reason with him. Her program could build his legacy, a legacy she knew he cared about preserving. She intended to point out that killing her task force, to satisfy a personal vendetta, would only hurt his presidency.
She stopped in front of the Oval Office door, took a calming breath, then knocked.
“Come in,” Warner said.
Carolyn swung the door open, then gasped.
Edmund Lane pulled his cigar from his lips.
“Good to see you, Carolyn.”
Warner leaned back in his chair, set his feet on his desk, and crossed his ankles. “How can we help you?”
Cigar smoke hung thick and dense in the air. “Can I speak to you alone?”
“No.”
Carolyn met his gaze. “I wanted to discuss my press conference and your presidential legacy.”
Warner reached in his pocket and handed Edmund a dollar bill.
Edmund laughed as he took it. “You should never underestimate my knack for predicting human nature. She’s right on schedule.”
Carolyn felt the blood rushing to her face.
“You win, again.” Warner shrugged.
Edmund sat back and sucked on his cigar.
Carolyn stood silent. Humiliation tightened around her throat.
“Do you think she gives a shit about my legacy?” Warner asked.
Edmund smiled back. “Only if it saves her precious program.”
Warner swung his feet off his desk and stood. “Although I admit your press conference went remarkably well, I really see no point in having this discussion with you. My decision is made. Please excuse us, Carolyn.” He walked to the door and held it open for her.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” she whispered, finally regaining her voice.
“If you don’t like it, divorce me,” he said as he shut the door behind her.
Carolyn stared at the door unable to cry, unable to scream, unable to feel anything but the rage of a trapped animal. He knew she couldn’t divorce him without sacrificing everything she’d ever worked for and cared about. If this was war, she’d lost another battle. But I’m still standing, she thought, and as long as I’m standing I will fight.
SEVENTY-THREE
Jack sipped his beer. He hated spending Saturday nights alone, believing they were proof of his relationship failures.
Sitting in a bar wasn’t his style, but he refused to wallow in self-pity. So, he’d forced himself to go out, only to discover that surrounding one’s self with strangers only magnified the loneliness. Unfortunately, he hadn’t realized his mistake until after he’d ordered his meal. He resigned himself to eating quickly, then leaving.
What had happened to him? he wondered. He’d always been a loner, and he’d even enjoyed himself. Or had he? Regardless, he realized that that was before Katherine’s return to his life and before he admitted to himself that he loved her.
He stared at the photograph on the front page of the Washington Post. Katherine stood off to Carolyn’s right at a press conference that had taken place the day before at the White House. Even in newsprint, Katherine was
