'Senator Orr is Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Short-Term Funding.'
'That makes sense.' Rodgers wondered if it was also a warning to Senator Orr that the investigation of William Wilson's death would continue. He could not understand why Debenport would be interested.
Perhaps it was nothing more than backroom drama taking a turn in the footlights. 'Is the admiral around?'
'Actually, he is not,' she told him. 'He left for a meeting with network producers about covering the convention. Do you need to talk to him? His cell phone is on.'
'No, I'll talk with him later,' Rodgers said. 'What about Kat?'
'She's in. How well did you know the man who was killed?'
'Not very,' Rodgers said. 'He was a good man, a hard worker.'
'That's a fine enough epitaph,' Kendra said. 'Do you or Director Hood have any idea who was responsible?'
'I don't, and if Paul Hood suspects anyone, he did not share that information with me,' Rodgers told the woman.
'Is there a reason he would not?' Kendra asked.
'I'm sure Paul was preoccupied,' Rodgers replied. He did not want to discuss the attack with Kendra. Not if there was a chance that she was involved. 'What about you? Have you or the senator heard anything else?'
Kendra shook her head. 'This is one of those things our country is going to have to watch out for more and more,' she said solemnly. 'The senator was saying that he wants to push for a new division of Homeland Security, one that would concentrate exclusively on the technology sector. He does not think he will have much trouble getting the funds after what happened today.'
He could not tell whether Kendra had avoided the question or had instinctively and innocently slipped into stump speech mode. Just sell the preapproved ideas, nothing more. If you stick to the script, you cannot get into trouble.
'Well, that's always the way, isn't it?' Rodgers asked. 'Get shot first, ask questions later.'
Kendra smiled. 'I like that.'
'By the way, what are the senator's travel plans?'
'He is leaving for the convention tonight on his private jet,' Kendra told him.
'Who else is going with him?'
'You're just full of questions,' she observed. 'I am going. Kat and the admiral will take a commercial flight tomorrow morning.' She hesitated. 'We had hoped you would be joining us in San Diego. Will that be possible now?'
'I don't know,' the general replied.
'You're not part of the investigation, are you?' She added after a short pause, 'Of the bombing, I mean.'
'No. I am not.'
His answer was as specific as her question. Kendra looked at him. She seemed to be waiting for him to elaborate, to say he was not part of any investigation. He did not want to lie to her so he said nothing.
Yet once again, saying nothing was probably as informative as Yes. I am.
The woman smiled tightly, knowingly, then excused herself. Rodgers went to talk to Kat. He was annoyed with himself. He felt clumsy and exposed. He wondered how Darrell or Bob would have handled that differently.
Well, there is no turning this around, he told himself. The only thing to do is move forward.
Kat was in her office, on the phone, when Rodgers walked up. She smiled and motioned him in. Rodgers shut the door behind him and sat on the small sofa. A moment later, Kat hung up. She exhaled loudly.
'That was Lucy O'Connor '
