“‘Call DCI Wenner,’” he said.

“That’s what it says?” Lancette asked. She was now fully awake.

“Yeah. And the number.”

He saw his reflection in the television screen. His hair was sticking out. He tried to turn away from her casually and pat it into place.

“What does he want?” she asked.

“I guess we should find out.”

Addis picked up the phone and dialed the number.

“It’s Addis,” he said.

Lancette imagined the other half of the conversation.

“Blair House,” he said.

She looked at the grandfather clock in the corner. Seven-thirty.

“She’s with me.”

Addis handed her the receiver.

“Sir,” she said into the phone.

She listened, said “Yes, sir,” and then hung up.

“Said he was sending someone for me.”

There was a rap on the door. “Come in,” Addis said, and O’Connor entered.

“There’s news,” O’Connor said.

Addis stared at her.

“About the assassination,” she added. “They called Margaret and said there’s going to be an announcement.”

“And they didn’t tell her what it is?” Addis said.

“No, the bastards.”

O’Connor examined Lancette. She’s searching for signs, Addis thought. Whether we did or did not. Lancette tucked in her blouse. She pulled at her hair.

“She said you should come watch with us,” O’Connor said.

“She knows we’re here?” Addis asked.

“Yep,” O’Connor said.

Lancette was trying to smooth the wrinkles out of her clothes.

“You look fine,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor led them to the second-floor office. Margaret Mason Hanover was behind the desk, in her bathrobe. Dan Carey was sitting in a chair next to her, wearing a well-pressed Italian suit. Flip Whalen was on the couch. Addis was surprised to see him in Washington. But this was a big day for Margaret; tonight she would openly declare her intention to challenge Mumfries. On the television was the press briefing room at FBI headquarters; the sound was off.

“Good morning, Nick,” Margaret said.

He introduced Lancette. Margaret nodded toward the television. “They called me ten minutes ago and said to turn on the television. That’s all they said. I don’t hear from Brew, Ken, or Mike or anyone else.”

“Margaret,” Carey said. “It’s going to get worse. They chose the wrong side. I have new—”

“Yes, yes,” she interrupted. “New numbers. Show them to Nick. I don’t need to see new numbers today.”

She waved Addis and Lancette toward chairs. “I trust the accommodations were satisfactory.”

Addis rubbed his tongue across the inside of his mouth. It was dry.

“Fine, thank you,” he said.

“Would you mind telling me why you needed a place to hide out?”

“It’s something of a long story,” he said.

Margaret waited for him to continue. Whalen was smirking at him. Addis went into the same story he had told O’Connor the night before. When he mentioned Dunne’s name, Margaret cut him off.