THEY WENT DOWNSTAIRS and joined the Eagles and the Bacchettis for a drink while they waited for the president and first lady to join them for the ride to the amphitheater in an articulated electric tram.

When Stone got a chance, he pulled Dino aside. “You’re acquainted with Special Agent Beam, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, we’ve met. And he’s always hanging around, watching his agents.”

“You remember the threat that Beam received in an e-mail?”

“Yeah.”

“I spoke with an expert about this and he said that the e-mail almost certainly originated inside the L.A. Secret Service office.”

“And what did you make of that?” Dino asked.

“Nothing, until a few minutes ago. I had a strange phone call from Beam about tonight’s seating plan.” He told Dino about the conversation.

“You think Beam thinks there might be a move against Kate tonight?”

“I don’t know, but he was pretty upset about his seating plan being changed to Kate’s seating plan.”

“Do you want to mention it to somebody?”

“Who would I mention it to? Beam? We’ve already talked. And he’s in charge of the detail, after all.”

“I see your point.”

“Are you armed?” Stone asked.

“Always,” Dino replied. “You?”

“No.”

“Why don’t you run upstairs and take care of that?”

“I’ll be right back.” Stone ran lightly up the stairs, went into the master suite, opened the safe, and took out his little Colt Government .380. He slipped it into the lightweight shoulder holster, shoved a magazine into the pistol, racked the slide and set the safety, then tucked the weapon under his arm.

When he got back to the library, the president and first lady had arrived, and they were called to board the tram for the trip to the amphitheater.

They moved out. Four Secret Service agents trotted alongside the tram, and Special Agent Mervin Beam brought up the rear in a golf cart.

Chapter 25

The tram arrived at the rear of the amphitheater and everyone got off and walked through a door directly into Stone’s box. It was at the very rear of the theater, and this tier was the only one with a roof, but it was open to the amphitheater.

Beam held the door open for them and they filed into the box and found their seats, which had been labeled with their names. Stone was the last through the door and he noticed that even though it was a cool desert evening, Agent Beam was sweating heavily. As Stone stepped into the box, Beam followed him and closed the door behind him. Stone heard a lock being turned and as he glanced back he saw Beam slip a key into his jacket pocket. The front of the man’s shirt was now showing big sweat stains as the shirt stuck to his body.

As he took his seat, Ann pulled a stole around her shoulders. “Chilly, isn’t it?” she asked.