“Shit,” Pitts said.
On his way down the mountain, duBois stopped at number 56, the Robertson place, since his file said that he owned an airplane. He found it much the same as the Pemberton house. Where were all these people?
47
Will Lee was nearly dressed for a state dinner honoring the prime minister of Australia when he heard running footsteps through the master bedroom. He stuck his head out of his dressing room, but she had already disappeared into hers.
“Running just a tad late, aren’t you?” he called out.
“Sorry,” she yelled back. “Accident on the beltway screwed everything up.”
Will came out of his dressing room, his bow tie hanging loose. “Don’t I remember a helicopter in the CIA appropriations bill?”
“Two helicopters,” she called back.
He walked to the door of her dressing room and leaned against the doorjamb. He liked watching her undress, even when she was in a hurry. “And they were both down?”
“Can you imagine what the press could do with a story that had me taking a helicopter so as not to be late for
a dinner party?”
“Not a dinner party, a state dinner; not even nearly the same thing.”
“Certainly not as much fun.” She stepped into a red dress and turned her back. “Shut up and zip,” she said.
He zipped. “Now you have to tie my tie. Tit for tat.”
“Oh, all right, come here.”
He knew how to tie a bow tie; he just liked it when she did it. She stood close, concentrating.
“What are you staring at?”
“What I stare at every chance I get.”
“That is covered by a dress.”
“Oh, I like your face, too.”
“You’re sweet.”
“Even when it hasn’t been washed and made up.”
“Oh, God,” she cried, running for her bathroom. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did tell you. Just as soon as you got my tie tied.”
There was a sound of running water and splashing. “How much time do I have?”
Will checked his wristwatch. “Minus ten minutes.”
“Shit! Are they down there waiting?”
“They’re in the Oval; we’re having cocktails there.”
“You go ahead; I’ll be there a few seconds after you.”
“Someone on the staff has heard that Hugh English was seen having lunch with Cal Ferguson.”