“If any of you have business with outside vendors, I will need to see a list of their names forty-eight hours in advance. They will not be granted access to the White House without my authorization. I will screen all visitors who have business with the president or first lady.” He looked directly at Caroline and George as he spoke, as they had complete control over access to the first couple.

George stood. “Mr. Trask, may I simply submit a list of every member of Congress, the Senate, the Cabinet, and officers in the US military? The president meets with dozens of them every day, and I would not want to overwhelm your office.”

“I already have that list, Mr. Cortelyou. I also have the list of all the department officers, every ambassador and foreign legation, and members of the judiciary. Anyone else will need to be cleared with me.”

One of the cooks raised his hand. “I’ve been teaching my nephew how to bake. Does he need to be cleared?”

“He does. Personal visits to the residence will be curtailed, and no visitor may bring parcels into the building. Visitors meeting the president will be required to keep their hands out of their pockets and will have their belongings inspected before proceeding inside.”

Caroline’s mind whirled. This man was unreal. He wouldn’t last ten minutes with Ida McKinley before she kicked him out of the building. As he continued outlining the exhaustive new security procedures, she shifted in her seat. She’d give anything for a cigarette right now. She’d been trying to quit, but this job was stressful, and on days like this she longed for the momentary rush of calm that only a cigarette could deliver. She’d managed six days in a row without a single slip and fiddled with her beaded bracelet to soothe the fidgets.

When the meeting finally came to an end, she headed into the hallway alongside George.

“Do you think this new man has a prayer of success here?” she asked, for these rules seemed ridiculous. Instead of agreeing, George surprised her.

“I hope so,” he said. “Better security is long overdue, but the president’s popularity is based on his reputation as a man of the people. Walking behind a phalanx of bodyguards or inspecting people’s pockets will go against his grain, but it’s time. If Mrs. McKinley complains, you need to rein her in. I know she believes the entire world adores her husband and wishes only to strew rose petals in his path, but it’s not true. Do your best to support the new rules.”

She already had her hands full supporting Ida. Still, George’s instincts were good, and she would trust him, even if the thought of catering to these new security measures gave her a headache.