He stepped up to the podium and looked out at all the bright lights.

*

Luke stood by the waters edge. He had taken exactly five steps from the bench where his father had left him sitting. He could barely see a thing. The fog was so dense he was lucky this call had gone through.

The phone rang and rang.

Halstram, a voice said.

David, I need to talk to President Hayes.

Luke, Im sorry. You and your partner did an amazing thing today. But the President is going live on the air in two minutes. If you want, you can leave a message with me, and Ill get it to him as soon as this is over, probably an hour from now. Listen, you should go somewhere with a TV set and watch the show. Im expecting dynamite from him. They tagged us one, but were not out of the fight, not by a long shot.

David, weve got big trouble.

I know. I was there today, remember? Were going to work hard and were going to dig our way out of it. And youre going to be a big part of that, believe me.

Luke didnt know how to handle people like David Halstram, at least, not over the phone. David tended to talk a blue streak, pause for breath, then start talking again. He was energetic, hyperkinetic, and probably very smart. He was certainly convinced of his own abilities, and he was convinced that people should listen to him and do what he said. It was hard to slow him down long enough to listen.

If Luke were there in person right now, he might put the business end of his gun against Davids forehead, and grab him by his thinning hair. Or, if he were feeling relaxed, he might just give David a karate chop to the collarbone. Either thing would likely focus Davids attention. But over the phone? It was hard.

He spoke slowly, as if to an imbecile. David, you have to listen to me. The Presidents life is in danger.

Thats why were underground right now.

David…

Luke, listen, I need to be available here. If you dont have a specific message you want to leave, I need you to call me back in… lets say ninety minutes, okay? If you dont get me, try me a half hour after that.

You have to get out of there.

Okay, Luke, well talk about it. Hes coming on right now. I have to go.

The line went dead. Luke stared at the telephone. He fought the urge to throw it into the river. Instead, he started to walk to his car. A minute later, he started to run.

Was he really going to drive out to Mount Weather, now, after almost forty hours without sleep?

Yes.

Chapter 36

How she would love to be almost anywhere but here.