“I didn’t see the governor,” Ann said. “He didn’t make it?”

“He did, inviting the vice president, too, and he has already moved on to his next engagement.”

“Then you didn’t get a chance to talk with him?”

“We had a very nice chat, and we understood each other perfectly. You heard that Senator Stockman died?”

“I had a call ten minutes ago.”

“Funniest thing happened as we were discussing how Stanton’s gifts would so well qualify him for a Senate seat. Seconds after the announcement on the six o’clock news, the governor’s phone rang, and guess who it was?”

“I’ve no doubt it was Marty.”

“Collins didn’t take the call—in fact, he turned off his phone.”

“Do you think he got your message?”

“Certainly he did. He’s a very astute young man, and without actually saying so, he let me know that if Stanton fails to get a majority of the delegates on the first ballot, he would be with Kate. I suggested that if Stanton knew he had the Senate seat for a backup, he might be easier to deal with at the convention.”

“And how did he react to that?”

“We were in perfect agreement. Of course, he didn’t say a word that would prevent him from giving the seat to someone else, or that he would support Kate if Stanton failed, but he intimated it, in the way that politicians do.”

“And how did Marty and Charlene Joiner happen to meet?”

“I will cheerfully take the blame for that one,” Stone replied. “I think they’re made for each other, now that Marty is functionally single again.”

“I said you were wicked, didn’t I?”

“You did, and I’m grateful for the compliment.”

“I hope Marty can’t contain himself and starts squiring Ms. Joiner around the city while everybody who is anybody in the party is in town.”

“It’s just the sort of brazen behavior that might help, isn’t it?”

“I long to see their photograph together on every front page.”

“Then we’ll have to take one, won’t we?” Stone said. “Or better, get Peter to.” He took out his phone and pressed a speed-dial button. “Peter? It’s your father. Would you be kind enough to take or have someone else take a photograph of the vice president nuzzling Charlene Joiner? It would be so nice to have as a souvenir. Thank you.” Stone hung up. “Consider it done.”

“And I know just who to e-mail it to,” Ann said, “for the maximum possible effect.”

Chapter 9

Stone and Ann had a look around Ben’s house, then returned to Peter’s.

“I got the photograph,” Peter said.

Stone gave him Ann’s e-mail address, then he looked around the room. “What happened to the veep and Charlene?”

“Gone,” Peter said. “I heard him tell an aide to call Spago for a table.”

“Very good,” Stone said.