“That’s very kind of you, ma’am, and I appreciate it.”
“The president has asked me to tell you that he is very grateful for your work over the past days, and that you may always use him as a reference, whatever you may decide to do. That goes for me, as well.”
“Thank you, Director, and please convey my gratitude to the president,” Holly said.
“Okay, get back to work, girl.” Kate opened a file on her desk and began to read.
Holly went back to her office, and Lance buzzed her to come into his office. “Where have you been?” he asked.
“The director asked me to come up to see her.”
“And?”
“She thanked me for bringing Stone and Dino down from New York.”
“That’s all?”
“She said nice things about me.”
“What about me?”
“She said you’ve probably already begun to do the groundwork for getting her job when she goes.”
Lance chuckled. “She knows me well. I have planted the idea in a few places on Capitol Hill, and with a couple of likely candidates for president. And if I get it, I’ll want you with me.”
“Thank you, Lance.”
“Now, what are we going to do about Todd Bacon?”
“I think we should do nothing,” Holly said.
“Don’t you want to know if he’s dead?”
“Yes, but I’m not going to ask. If he is, he’ll be discovered in due course. Nobody in this building doesn’t not show up for work unless he’s called in. If Todd doesn’t show, someone will find out why.”
“All right, let that sleeping dog lie,” Lance said.
Holly went back to her office, and her phone was ringing. “Hello?”
“It’s Stone. We’re out of here. Dino and I are flying directly to New Haven for Peter’s opening tonight.”
“I’d send him a telegram if there were still such a thing,” Holly said. “Tell him I said break a leg.”
“Will do. What should I do with the car?”
“Leave it at the FBO at Manassas, with the keys under the seat. It will be picked up.”
“Thank you for such good company while we’ve been here,” Stone said.
“We both needed that, I think.”
“Coming to New York anytime soon?”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
“Take care, then.”
They said good-bye and hung up.