The seat beside Kat was open. Rodgers took it. She did not attempt to conceal what she was saying.
'? only CNN talks to him before the press conference. That's the deal we made for a prime-time spot,' Kat was saying. She was silent for a moment, her shoulders straight and stiff, her mouth a tight, unemotional line. Then she said, 'I understand, Diane, But Larry was the only one who offered that. What about this: you get the first talk with the ticket. I would want ten minutes in the eight o'clock hour of the morning show.' She was silent again. 'Yes, an exclusive sit-down at the senator's home in Georgetown.' Kat smiled slightly as she listened. 'Good. I will present it to the senator, but I am certain it will be okay. Thanks. Say hi to Mike.' Kat punched the Off button and slumped into the seat. 'Well, this is what I worked for. Now I've got it.'
'What is that?'
'A hungry press,' Kat replied. 'Before Wilson, Senator Orr was only on the radar of the all-news networks. Now everyone wants him, especially if they can shoot at the party house.'
'Lucky break for us,' Rodgers said.
Kat looked over. 'I'm too busy for sarcasm.'
'Okay. Let's try it straight up.' Kat had given him a clean shot, and he decided to take it. Maybe that was the best way. 'What do you say to Lucy O'Connor being at the Hay-Adams when Wilson was murdered?'
'I would say she was trying to get an interview,' Kat replied. She speed-dialed another number.
'Or maybe trying to make news,' Rodgers suggested.
'What are you talking about?'
Rodgers looked around to make sure no one was listening. For all he knew, Lucy O'Connor had been on their flight. 'There is an image of Lucy leaving the Hay-Adams shortly after the murder. The dress she had on is the same color as the one the assassin was wearing.'
Kat terminated the call. 'That hardly makes her a killer or even an accomplice,' she said. 'Maybe they bought it off the same rack.'
'That's a reach,' Rodgers said.
'So is your idea of what constitutes a murder suspect,' Kat said.
'You've got a hungry reporter. A reclusive news maker Of course she would be at the hotel after the party, trying to intercept him.'
'You're defending her pretty adamantly,' Rodgers observed.
'This is America. Lucy is still innocent. Besides, she doesn't deserve to be pilloried. Nor does Senator Orr,' Kat said.
'Is that what you think is happening?' Rodgers asked.
'Yes. You or someone at Op-Center has obviously made up their minds that we are guilty of murder, or worse.'
'No one has made that determination,' Rodgers told her. 'This is an investigation.'
'Yours or Op-Center's?'
'Until my resignation takes effect, I am working for Op-Center by assignment and command of the undersecretary, Department of Defense Security Cooperation Agency,' Rodgers replied.
'Then I suggest you get back to Washington and complete your assignment there,' Kat said.
'For the record, I have spent most of my career in the field, protecting America and the rights of its citizens. I have condemned no one, either openly or in here,' Rodgers tapped his right temple. 'You, on the other hand, have made up your mind that I am out to get you. If that were true, I would have turned this over to Paul Hood and his bulldogs.'
Kat's expression returned to neutral. She looked at her phone and tapped it in her open palm. 'It sounded like an attack,' she said.
'I'm a soldier. A lot of things I say come out like that.'
