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“Spencer Martin,” Yancey repeated thoughtfully. “Someone else had you under surveillance. My team intercepted them more than once. We wondered who it was.”

“It was Spence,” Gray said tightly.

Yancey turned to him. “And I’m supposed to take your word for that?”

“You’re supposed to be the chief law officer in the country. That means going after the bad guys.”

“It also means protecting the rights of guys that people allege are bad. For whatever reason.”

Sensing the hostility rising between them, Barrie quickly interceded. “Bill, once the facts become clear to you, I’m sure you’ll agree that Spencer Martin is a dangerous individual.”

“I’m all ears. What are the facts, Barrie? Your name has been connected with the First Lady’s since your series on SIDS, and the First Lady has been mysteriously absent. Dalton Neely’s blather is an insult to my intelligence. Dr. George Allan strikes me as incompetent. The Secret Service is respectfully mute. We knew you were up to something tonight when you pulled that switch in the parking garage. We picked up the old man—”

“Hey!” The interjection came from an insulted Daily.

“—so he wouldn’t get hurt or killed by persons you tell me were working for Spencer Martin.” Opening his suit jacket, he placed his hands on his waist. “I want to know just what in hell is going on, and I’ve got to have the full story. That’s why you were brought here instead of being taken straight to jail and booked on felony charges.”

“I appreciate your trust, Bill,” Barrie said. “But before I talk to you, shouldn’t I have a lawyer present?”

“You may. If you want to go that route. Or you can simply level with me.”

“Off the record?”

“Off the record.”

For years she’d known him to be a man of honor. More than once his integrity had gotten in her way of a good story. She’d been angry with him for withholding information from her when it was a matter of national security, but he’d never steered her wrong, either. She had no reason to mistrust him.

“All right,” she said, “But there’s so much to tell, I don’t know where to start.”

“Let’s start with Spencer Martin.”

“How much do you know about him? He’s—”

“Careful, Barrie.” Gray nodded toward Yancey. “He might be your former classmate, and maybe he’s proved to be a reliable and fair source, but before you spill your guts, remember who appointed him and who he works for.”

Affronted, Yancey replied, “I remember who appointed me, Mr. Bondurant. But I work for the people of the United States, and I take my job and the responsibility that goes with it very seriously.

“True, I owe my job to David Merritt, but I’m not immune to the stink emanating from the White House these days. As for Spencer Martin, I know about his personal army. He’s got informers and operatives planted in just about every department of the federal government, including, I’m ashamed to admit, those that fall under the auspices of the Department of Justice.

“More dangerous than that, however, is the influence he wields over the President. I want to know why and to what extent Merritt relies on him. Frankly, Bondurant, I was afraid for Barrie to be spending so much time with you. That’s why I tipped her on your recent visit to the White House. I figured you were one of Martin’s facilitators.”

“You figured wrong.”

“Probably. You got out because of Mrs. Merritt, I think.”

Gray nodded. “She’s also why I got dragged back in.”

The attorney general looked steadily at Gray for several moments, then turned back to Barrie. “You started all this with that piece about SIDS, didn’t you?”

“Actually, Vanessa Merritt started it by inviting me to coffee. It’s a long story, and by telling it I’ll be accusing the President of unspeakable crimes.”

“That’s why you were brought here,” Yancey said. “No matter how long and involved the story is, no matter who’s implicated, I want to hear it all.”

Chapter Forty-Three

“Shit! This whole thing is falling apart. Barrie and Gray haven’t been caught yet. Vanessa’s in the goddamn hospital. In the hospital! I was supposed to be receiving the horrible news that she’d died. Instead I get the happy news that she’s being treated at GWU hospital.”

“Calm down, David.”