Several memos had been dropped on Addis’s desk. A notice about a credit union screwup. A memo from security: Do not leave automobiles in the lot overnight without informing the guards in the booth. The office of administration had sent out a reminder about not using White House phones for long-distance personal calls.

He turned on his computer and checked his phone messages. Lancette had not tried to reach him. He had received more than a dozen calls regarding events in Chicago. Would he be available to appear at a party fund-raiser at the Chicago Museum of Art? A policy forum sponsored by two health care corporations and an insurance company? Two restaurants—presumably trendy establishments—wanted to know if he would be requiring reservations. There was a message from a Mrs. Gunn—he did not recognize the name—who had called and asked if he had a private fax number. She left a pager number. There were more invitations: A reception for union activists. A cruise on Lake Erie for donors from Los Angeles. An event at Wrigley Field—including batting practice—for contributors to the party’s senatorial campaigns. A charity run for a disease he had never heard of.

Silence means no, Addis told himself. He deleted the messages from his computer.

“Nice of you to drop by.”

Addis sighed; the voice behind him belonged to Kelly.

“If you’re not too busy … .”

Addis pushed himself out of his chair.

Hamilton Kelly led Addis to McGreer’s office. He said nothing along the way. McGreer was not in the room.

“Please,” Kelly said. “Close the door behind you.”

Kelly sat behind McGreer’s desk. Addis took a chair in front of the desk. Kelly pushed aside photos of McGreer’s wife and daughters. His shirt collar was too small, squeezing a fleshy neck. He picked up a legal pad and recited from it.

“Twenty-one, fifty, June 29. Signed into Blair House. Eight-thirty-nine, June 30, signed out … . A nice evening with the widow Hanover as she prepares to challenge a sitting president for the nomination of his party. Others present include M. T. O’Connor, Flip Whalen—making one of his rare visits to our city—and Dan Carey.”

Addis wondered how much he should explain.

“And one Ms. Julia Lancette of the CIA,” Kelly went on. “If I am not mistaken, just days ago you told the President of the United States that you considered yourself one of his loyal employees.”

“It was a place to go after hearing about Clarence.”

Kelly puffed out his cheeks. That facial tic is not going to look good on the talk shows, Addis thought.