Margaret Hanover was illuminated. She stood at the center of the dais, the target of piercing television lights. She was … glowing, Addis thought. In the crowded, darkened room, every face turned to the one reflecting the white beams. The words barely registered with Addis: “National security means many things … How do we treat our most tangible and important asset? … One in five live in poverty … Our most precious resources … When last year I was named Children’s Friend of the Year, I …”

Addis looked around the ballroom. He saw M. T. O’Connor in a corner. Dan Carey was next to her, holding a rolled-up report in his hand. Numbers, numbers, numbers. Flip Whalen was a few feet to their side. Jack, in his wheelchair, was facing the side wall, not the dais. Addis walked the perimeter of the room.

“A crusade that is above any election … There is no more solemn duty … For years I sat on the board … When I was in a village in India … . I remember what my grandmother—we called her ‘Memmie’—once said …”

O’Connor stepped away from Carey when she saw Addis approaching.

“Nick,” she asked in a whisper. “What are—”

“Is Lem around?” He kept his voice low.

“He went upstairs to check out a suite Margaret’s going to use afterward.”

Fund-raising calls, Addis thought. Can’t use the phones at Blair House for that.

“What, what do you want with Lem?” she asked.

“Need to ask him about a security matter.”

She waited for a more detailed explanation.

“Hear anything about Harris Griffith’s death?” he asked.

She brought her hands together by her stomach. “Been busy today.”

“What room?”

She glanced toward Margaret.

“M. T., what room?”

“Six-oh-four … . Nick, are you—”

“Don’t ask. Please. I’m tired of being asked that.”

“You look, you look …”

“Like what?” Addis asked. He was curious. What was showing on his face.

“I don’t know,” she answered. “But then …”

But then I watched someone die. And then learned … .

Carey and Whalen came over.

“How ya holding up?” Carey asked.

“Sorry to hear, Nick,” Whalen said. “Any further word on—”

“Fine … and no,” Addis replied. “Excuse me.”

“Can we talk before we leave for Chicago?” O’Connor asked. Why were her eyes moist? Addis wondered.

“Whatever,” he said and walked off.

O’Connor watched as Addis paused by Jack. He leaned close to the boy and said a few words.

“There are millions of children who will suffer—who will be denied access to government health care, nutrition, and education programs—if we allow the views of our opponents to prevail,” Margaret was saying. “As we celebrate our birth as a nation, even in these tragic, dark days, let us pledge, as a way to commemorate the honor of my husband, that we will …”