We wanted to bring compassion and order to government. We wanted only to help people. It wasnt fair that we werent going to get the chance.
You committed murder. Even if you didnt kill your husband, you ordered Fiske to kill.
I didnt want I didnt mean It all went crazy, I dont know how. But I promised Ben Id see it through. It was my job. I had to do it. Dont you understand? One thing just flowed into the other, and suddenly I was caught up in She stopped. Im behaving very badly. I should have a little dignity. Particularly since this is probably all still being taped. She straightened, threw back her shoulders, and suddenly a brilliant smile lit her face. You see, I can get through this. I can get through anything. Ill smile and be sincere and they wont believe those tapes.
Oh, I think they will. Its over, Lisa.
She lifted her chin. Not until Ive fought the last fight.
Would Ben want you to fight? A scandal of this magnitude will disrupt the government for months and tarnish everything youve done for him.
Ill know the moment to quit and step asidehellip; just as Ben did. She was silent a moment and then shook her head. Its rather ironic that you set up our meeting at Camp David. Did you know that FDR called Camp David Shangri-La?
No.
Shangri-La. A lost dreamhellip; Her gaze shifted to the edge of the trees. Theyre coming. I believe Ill go to meet them. Boldness is always best.
Eve watched her move gracefully across the glade toward the place where Logan and three other cars had pulled to a stop.
The gun.
Lisa had stopped beside the gun that Timwick had tossed away and was looking down at it.
No!
Youve destroyed everything Ben and I have worked for. You think Im a murderer. I could pick that gun up and prove you right. I dont think Im in range of your friends over there. Are you afraid of dying, Eve?
No, I dont think so.
I dont believe you are either. I think youre afraid of living. She glanced over her shoulder. I would have found your Bonnie. Youll have to live with that knowledge. Now you may never find her. I hope you dont. She gave the gun a little kick to one side. You see how nonviolent I am? Rejecting the op-portunity for revenge, going forward to meet justice. She smiled. Good-bye, Eve. Maybe Ill see you in court. She started back across the glade. And then again, maybe I wont.
She thinks she can get out of it, Eve told Logan as she watched Lisa get into the back of the car with FBI agents. She just might do it.
Not if we keep her separated from Kevin Detwil. Theyre going to try to isolate her for the next twenty-four hours. Its going to be difficult as hell considering who she is. Chief Justice Bennett is going directly to Detwil and play him the tape.
You think hell fall apart?
Probably. Hes always needed her to bolster him. If he doesnt crumble immediately, theres always the list. That should do it.
But why was Detwils name on the list too? I can understand Timwick. He was becoming unstable and threatening her plans. But she needed Detwil for an-other term.
I doubt if he was an immediate target. She probably put his name on the list to intrigue Fiske. What more difficult target than the President?
But she would have done it eventually.
Oh, yes, Detwil was living proof. I imagine she would have had Fiske set up some DNA-destroying accident. Maybe the explosion of Air Force One.
There are a lot of people who travel with the President on Air Force One.
Do you think that would matter to her?
Yes. No. She shook her head. God, I dont know. Maybe.
He took her arm. Come on, lets get out of here.
Where are we going?
Youre letting me choose? How refreshing. After bulldozing me into trapping Lisa Chadbourne, I was sure youd have some plan.
She was all out of plans. She was all out of energy. She felt drained. I want to go home.
Not yet, Im afraid. Were going to Senator Lathrops house and stay there until the first uproar is over and were officially cleared of suspicion. They dont want some gun-happy government man shooting us by mistake.
How kind, she said ironically.
Not kind. Were very valuable material wit-nesses. Well be under strict guard until this is over.
When can I go home?
A week.
She shook her head. Three days tops.
Well try. His brow lifted. But remember, we are, after all, dealing with the overturning of a presidency.
