“Kings Ridge, Virginia,” Lou said.
Notso smiled. In the flash of approaching headlights, his teeth shone. “That’s way cool,” he said. “I ain’t never been to Virginia before.”
CHAPTER 25
Darlene knew what she was about to do might end her marriage-if not in fact, then at least to all intents. Martin had learned about her meeting with Russ Evans almost as soon as it happened. Should he learn of this one, he would never understand-especially if she turned out to be wrong about Evans.
But she wasn’t wrong.
An anxious young woman’s voice on a high-tech recording told her so. And hopefully, very soon, she would have proof. Of course, it was always possible that the tape was a fabrication, but to what end? Even if someone put together a fake, even if the young woman was an actress, Russ Evans was finished politically.
The three cars escorting Darlene and Kim to the movies-a town car and two nondescript sedans-pulled to a stop a block past the iconic Regent Street Theater. Dusk was settling over the district. During the intentionally circuitous ride from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Darlene gazed out at the streets teeming with people, moving through their lives, making connections only when they wanted to. She had willingly given up that privilege when she and Martin entered the campaign. Now, she felt wistful that Russ Evans could no longer walk comfortably among people without attracting unwanted attention.
With half an hour to go before the movie, the advance team of agents completed its assignment with trademark efficiency and radioed to Victor Ochoa that it was safe for Buttercup and Wildcat to enter the theater. Darlene had forgotten the name of the film they were going to see until she read it posted out front on the illuminated marquee. Double M had chosen a PG-13 chick flick.
Darlene’s mouth was dry with tension. She was defying the man she had married, and about to deceive the people who had been sworn to protect her at any and all cost. But her friend since childhood and more recently her professional soul mate had been destroyed-framed. And now, the man she and Kim called Double M wanted her help at least to clear Russ Evans’s name.
Darlene pushed the questions to the back of her mind. It was imperative that she remain sharp-aware of everything and everyone around her. Slipping free of Ochoa and his crew was not going to be easy, even though only he and a female agent named Bonnie would actually be in the theater, seated in the back.
Darlene wore a pair of tinted glasses with thick white frames, and an auburn, shoulder-length wig beneath a gold print satin scarf. The outfit was one of several-the most effective, in fact-that she used when she wanted to keep gawkers and disrupters to a minimum. In addition, she had on a pair of faded blue jeans and a brown leather jacket with the Hard Rock Cafe emblem sewn onto the back.
Ochoa handed Kim and Darlene their tickets. “Bonnie and I will be in the back,” he said. “Just make sure you take the seats we’ve designated for you.”
“Sorry it’s not your type of movie, Victor,” Kim said. “My girlfriend told me that there are no car chases, and no one gets shot.”
“Hey, I like sweet, endearing romantic comedies as much as the next guy who gets paid to carry a gun.”
Darlene hooked her chief of staff’s arm and, eyes down, escorted her into the theater and down to two seats on the side aisle. There were fifteen or so other patrons scattered throughout the remaining seats, but none anywhere near the two of them. The film, nearing the end of its run before DVD, seemed to have been carefully chosen by Double M, and to this point, at least, no one appeared to be paying any attention to them.
“How are you holding up?” Kim whispered without turning.
“I don’t have butterflies flying around in my stomach,” Darlene said, “if that’s what you mean.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“I have buzzards.”
“Oh.”
“What if this is a bad idea? A trap of some sort. Terrorists.”
“Double M is incredibly resourceful and inventive. I think if he wanted to get to you, he could have done it already. No, he wants your help, and if you want to help Russ, you’re going to have to trust him-at least this once.”
The on-screen ads had given way to the previews. Subtly, Darlene glanced down at her wristwatch. “One hour to go,” she whispered.
“Keep your eyes on the screen,” Kim said, giving Darlene’s hand a squeeze.
The sixty minutes seemed interminable. Finally, Darlene tapped a fist on Kim’s knee, rose from her seat, and headed to the back of the theater.
“I’m going to use the bathroom,” she whispered to Bonnie.
“Stay here for half a minute.”
“You can check out the room, but please be sort of quick about it.”
“Are you okay?”
“I will be once I get in there.”
By agreement, she stood resting her elbows on the back wall and waited.
Darlene knew Bonnie was startled by her uncharacteristic abruptness, but it served its purpose. The woman checked the bathroom in thirty seconds or so and pronounced it empty. Moments later, Darlene was inside.
Grateful for the many hours she had spent with her yoga instructor, personal trainer, and in the White House gym, she crossed over to the pair of sinks and nimbly pushed herself up onto the one farthest from the door. It was no problem to slide the curtain aside on a small transom window that was now level with her waist, and to undo the latch.
As soon as she pushed open the window, a well-manicured hand featuring a shade of nail polish identical to her own gripped the sill from the other side. Then a woman’s head popped into view. Wearing the same wig, glasses, and satin scarf as Darlene, she climbed through the window, then stepped on the edge of the sink and dropped to the floor with a cat’s grace. The jeans and Hard Rock jacket completed a striking match.
“Madam First Lady,” the woman said as Darlene helped her down, “I’m Nicole Keane, Kim’s friend. It’s a pleasure to meet you. The stepladder is right outside. You won’t have any trouble.”
It was difficult for Darlene to keep from staring at the lawyer, whom Kim had described as the perfect body double.
“A ten-finger boost and you’re out of here,” Nicole said.
“Kim’s by herself ten rows down the second aisle. Just keep your head down and avoid any eye contact with the two agents in the last row. They think I’m in a hurry to get back to the movie, and won’t expect any chitchat. In fifteen minutes, Kim is going to tell them I have an upset stomach, and ask them to check the bathroom again. Then she’s going to come get you at your seat, and we’ll switch back.”
“I’ve got the plan memorized like it was one of my court briefs.”
“Perfect.”
“Ten-finger boost,” Nicole said, interlocking her fingers. “The ladder’s right under the window.”
“Is he there?” Darlene asked.
“I didn’t see him. Just the ladder.”
Darlene set her foot onto Nicole’s makeshift hoist, slipped easily through the window, located the ladder with her foot, and climbed down into the dimly lit alley behind the theater.
CHAPTER 26
The alley appeared deserted. There was a Dumpster nearby that reeked of popcorn oil, and several cars parked against old brick buildings beneath a latticework of fire escapes. Darlene stepped out into the glow of a
