The Air Force major opened the door of the enormous living room for Adrienne Rashad. She walked in and stopped, standing motionless, staring at Evan by the window. There was no astonishment in her eyes, just that frigid glare of intellect.
'I'll be going,' said the Air Force officer.
'Thank you, Major.' The door closed and Kendrick stepped forward. 'Hello, Khalehla. It was Khalehla, wasn't it?'
'Whatever you say,' she replied calmly.
'But then it isn't Khalehla, is it? It's Adrienne—Adrienne Rashad.'
'Whatever you say,' she repeated.
'That's a little redundant, isn't it?'
'And all this is very stupid, Congressman. Did you have me flown back here to give you another testimonial? Because if you did, I won't do it.'
'Testimonial? That's the last thing I want.'
'Good, I'm glad for you. I'm sure the representative from Colorado has all the endorsements he needs. So there's no need for someone whose life and the lives of a great many colleagues depend on anonymity to step forward and add to your swelling cheers.'
'That's what you think? I want endorsements, cheers?'
'What am I to think? That you took me away from my work, exposed me to the embassy and the Air Force, probably crippled a cover I've developed over the past several years just because I went to bed with you? It happened once, but I assure you it will never happen again.'
'Hey, wait a minute, bright lady,' protested Evan. 'I wasn't looking for any fast action. For Christ's sake, I didn't know where I was or what had happened, or what would happen next. I was scared stiff, and knew I had things to do that I didn't think I could do.'
'You were also exhausted,' added Adrienne Rashad. 'I was, too. It happens.'
'That's what Swann said—’
'That bastard.'
'No, hold it. Frank Swann's not a bastard—’
'Shall I use another word? Like pimp? An unconscionable pimp.'
'You're wrong. I don't know what your business was with him but he had a job to do.'
'Like sacrificing you?'
'Maybe… I admit the thought's not too attractive but he was pretty well boxed in then.'
'Forget it, Congressman. Why am I here?'
'Because I have to learn something, and you're the only one left who can tell me.'
'What is it?'
'Who broke the story on me? Who violated the agreement I made? I was told that those who knew I went to Oman and they were damn few, a tight little circle they called it—none of them would have any reason to do it and every reason in the world not to. Apart from Swann and his computer chief, whom he swears by, there were only seven people in the entire government who knew. Six have been checked out, all absolutely negative. You're the seventh, the only one left.'
Adrienne Rashad stood motionless, her face passive, her eyes furious. 'You ignorant, arrogant amateur,' she said slowly, her voice acid.
'You can call me any goddamned names you like,' began Evan angrily, 'but I'm going to—’
'May we go for a walk, Congressman?' broke in the woman from Cairo, crossing to a large bay window on the other side of the room that looked over a dock to the rocky shoreline of the Chesapeake.
'What?'
'The air in here is as oppressive as the company. I'd like to take a walk, please.' Rashad raised her hand and pointed outside; she then nodded her head twice as if reinforcing a
