“Thank you. A part of me is accustomed to always being on guard,” Billy said. A waiter appeared with a glass of Knob Creek.

Peter walked in with Hattie and greeted him just as the doorbell rang again. Billy went to answer it and came back with the governor of California, Richard Collins. A plainclothes officer hovered on the edge of the room.

Collins greeted everyone warmly, and a waiter brought him a drink on a silver tray. “I’m nearly the first here,” he said to Stone. “Good to see you again. It’s been a long time since San Francisco. My condolences on the death of your wife.”

“Thank you, Governor. Would you like to sit down for a minute before the others arrive?”

“Use my study,” Peter said, then led the way to a smaller room lined with bookcases. The two men took chairs in front of a fireplace, where a small blaze had been kindled.

“From everything I’m reading,” Stone said, “your first term is going extremely well.”

“Amazing the things you can get done when you have a majority in both houses,” Collins said. “And Jerry Brown had the goodness to clean up the budget problem before I got in.”

“I wanted to get your views on how the nominating process is going,” Stone said.

“It’s fascinating, isn’t it, what Kate Lee is doing? I had my doubts at first, but I’m beginning to think she just might pull it off.”

“Well, Martin Stanton has been a big help.”

Collins laughed heartily. “Yes, Marty can be his own worst enemy. He’s my friend, though, and I owe him my support for as long as he’s in the race.”

“Of course you do, and I know that Kate understands that. She’ll feel differently on a second ballot, though.”

“If there’s a second ballot, then we’re in a whole new ball game,” Collins said. “And believe me, Marty knows that. It’s a shame that someone with so much talent for politics and governing can risk it all for a roll in the hay. He was a terrific state legislator and governor.”

“And a very good vice president,” Stone said. “It has occurred to some folks that those talents might serve him well in the United States Senate.”

Collins’s eyes narrowed, and he smiled. “Oh, I think Marty would be good in any office in the land.”

“Especially one with four years left in the term,” Stone pointed out. “And I’m sure it would ease his mind to know that a soft landing is available, should the balloting at the convention not go his way.”

“I’m going to take my time making that appointment,” Collins said, “even though there are all sorts of people already scratching at my office door.”

“I think you should certainly take your time . . . making that announcement,” Stone said. “After all, timing is everything.”