No. The conceited bitch thought he should fall all over himself just because she was the Presidents wife. You dont mean anything more to me than anyone else. I dont need you, you need me. Or you wouldnt be here.
She smiled. Youre right. You have a unique talent and an efficiency I appreciate. I told Timwick the way you handled the problem at Barrett House was admirable. She paused. But, unfortunately, Timwick is not as efficient and hes become nervous and irrational. Hes begun to disappoint me. You do realize that hes merely been channeling orders from me?
Not the President?
Definitely not the President. Hes not involved.
He was disappointed. It would have been a feather in his cap to have done this job for the most important man in the free world. Then I should be charging more money, shouldnt I?
Should you?
If he doesnt know about what youre doing, then hes a potential threat. If he was involved, he could protect me. You cant do shit.
Do you want to be protected, Fiske? I dont think so. Ive read your dossier and I dont believe thats one of your priorities. Youre not a man who relies on anyone but himself.
His gaze narrowed on her face with sudden in-terest. Smart. Money is protection.
Your fees are exorbitant. You probably have enough in a bank in Switzerland to live like a king.
Im worth my fee.
Of course you are. Im just pointing out that you could have retired in safety a long time ago. So why are you risking your neck doing this?
Theres never too much money.
She shook her head. You like it. You like the risk. You like the game. It gives you immense satisfaction, and the harder the game, the greater the risk, the better you like it. You love the idea of doing some-thing no one else can do. She paused. The most dif-ficult thing on earth is getting away with murder, isnt it? Thats the supreme challenge, the most inter-esting game.
Christ. Maybe too smart. Perhaps.
Dont be so wary. We all have our own agendas. I find your philosophy perfectly reasonable, and it happens to coincide perfectly with my needs. Thats why I chose you.
You chose me? Timwick chose me.
Timwick gave me a number of dossiers and he thinks we chose you together. I chose you, Fiske. I knew you were the one I needed. She smiled. And I knew you were the man who needed me.
I dont need anyone.
Of course you do. Im the one who can increase the difficulty of the game. I can give you a challenge that youve never been faced with before. Dont you find that idea exciting?
He didnt answer.
She chuckled. You do. I knew you would. Youre probably sick of working under Timwick. You like bold strokesdecisive, clean thinking. You wont have any problem with waffling from me.
Hed bet he wouldnt. Youre cutting Timwick out of the picture?
Im saying that you go back to Atlanta and check on Kessler. You pay lip service to Timwick, but you obey my orders and answer directly to me.
It would help me decide if I knew what all this is about.
She studied him. No, it wouldnt. You dont care. You think all of our complicated machinations are stupid. Youre just trying for a power hold. You appre-ciate power. Its part of the game.
His lips twisted. You think you know me that well?
She shook her head. But I know you well enough to survive you.
Do you? He put his hands around her throat. Did you ever realize how difficult it would be to kill the first lady and get away with it? Think what a kick it would be for me to show those bastards how stupid they are.
I thought about it. She stared directly into his eyes. But then youd be on the run and the game would be over. What a disappointment. I can stretch out the game for a long time.
His hands tightened until he knew there would be bruising. Hurt her, make her back down.
She didnt flinch. I have a list for you. Her voice was hoarse. Or, rather, an addendum to the list you were given before.
His grasp didnt loosen.
I knew youd like lists. I told Timwick so. Thats why he gave you She drew a deep breath as his hands fell away from her. Thank you. She rubbed her throat. Timwick told you to check out Kessler?
Yes, but he didnt seem to think it was impor-tant. Hes more concerned with Sandra Duncan.
Shes also important. I may have to make a decision about her shortly, but I dont want Kessler overlooked. Unless you reach him immediately, Kessler will be making DNA tests, probably not at the university. Find him. Dont let him have time to get the results.
DNA?
On the skull. You know about the skull.
