“Oh,” Kate said, “it will do very nicely. And for purposes of this flight, we can call it Air Force One-point-Five.” She took the aisle seat next to Stone and across the table from Ann. “May I join you?” she asked.

“Of course.”

“There’s something I want to talk to you about while we’re en route.”

The airplane began to taxi up the ramp toward Taxiway Lima. As they reached it, Stone saw a dozen jets lined up and waiting for the Gulfstream to take the runway while ground control cleared it for immediate takeoff. “That’s something I’ve never seen before,” Stone said, nodding toward the waiting airplanes.

“I expect the Secret Service had a word with the tower,” Kate said. “They hate my waiting in line on the ground. Somebody might take a shot at us.”

“Now, that’s a thought that had never crossed my mind,” Stone said as the Gulfstream began accelerating, pressing him back in his seat. A few seconds later they were climbing and turning to the west.

“Oh?” Kate said. “We’ll be cleared direct to Burbank. No routing or delays.”

Twenty minutes later they leveled at cruising altitude, and mimosas were served.

“From now on,” Stone said, “I’m going to tell Air Traffic Control that you’re aboard all my flights.”

“Feel free,” Kate replied with a big smile.

Chapter 2

Kate Lee waited until they had finished a salad-and-omelet lunch before placing her hand on Stone’s arm. “Now,” she said, “to business—or rather, to politics.”

“Tell me all.”

“I know from Will’s experience at conventions that after our arrival and throughout our stay there will be people who will wish to talk with me who I will wish not to talk with—not because I don’t like or respect them, but because their messages will sometimes be so important that they are better conveyed through intermediaries. Sometimes my messages to them will fall into the same category. Do you understand?”

“Of course. It’s one of the principal reasons why people have attorneys.”

“Exactly. On these occasions I will not want a campaign or staff member to act as intermediary. That would add a political edge to conversations that might be better conducted in a more civilian manner. That’s why I would like you to represent me on these occasions.”

“I would be very pleased to help in any way I can,” Stone replied.

“Sometimes you may receive messages, at other times you may send them—sometimes both.”

“I understand.”

“I will always try to alert you when a call will be coming, but I won’t always be able to. If someone calls you, that means he very likely got your number from me, so don’t blow him off—at least, not immediately.”

Stone nodded. “So if someone calls me and asks if you would accept the vice presidential nomination . . .”