The comment set him back on his heels, mostly because she was correct. He drew a steadying breath. Everything he knew about human nature indicated that Caroline was loyal to the McKinleys and that she believed her brother to be innocent. In all likelihood she was wrong about her brother, but that meant she deserved pity, not anger. He needed to do better.

“We are in for a challenging few weeks,” he said. “In terms of security, it will be the most dangerous since I joined the White House. I would appreciate your cooperation in helping me protect the first family.”

“Of course,” she said tightly.

He owed her more than a begrudging offer to bury the hatchet. Maybe he wasn’t born to the manner, but he was an honorable man who treated women with respect. Caroline could get on his last nerve, but that was his shortcoming, not hers.

“And I’m sorry for acting like a wet blanket,” he said. “Please forgive my lapse in temper.”

She assumed a mask of polite serenity, the one she wore when Mrs. McKinley was at her worst. “All is forgiven,” she said as she lightly waltzed past him.

He didn’t believe her and felt only shame for his loss of control whenever she was near.

Thirteen

Nathaniel arrived at the train station well ahead of their departure for a final inspection of the private railcars that would carry the president and his team to Ohio. He spotted the first problem from a hundred yards away. Annoyance simmered as he strode toward the eight-car caravan where Caroline was directing workers to hang patriotic bunting on the outside of the train.

“Unacceptable, Miss Delacroix,” Nathaniel said as he tugged on the fabric nailed to the window of the presidential sleeper car. “You might as well hang a bull’s-eye and invite people to shoot through the window. These cars need to look as nondescript as possible.”

“Not everyone hates pomp and circumstance as much as you,” Caroline said.

He asked a station attendant to bring him a claw hammer so he could pull the nails holding the bunting in place. Once it was down, he began inspecting the interior of the cars designated for the presidential party. There was a dining car, a passenger car, a lounge car, two sleeper cars for the staff, and a private sleeper for the McKinleys. It would be a thirty-six-hour journey that would deliver them to Canton a full day ahead of the election.

The good news was that Wilkie had promised to transfer Nathaniel as soon as the election was over. The plan for securing the White House was completed and submitted. New guards had been trained. It was time for him to leave.

Caroline would become someone else’s problem. He could no longer be rational about her. It had been nice to have a friend and a confidant inside the White House, but he shouldn’t have let her get to him.