“Okay,” he said. “I think you requested me because I’m in the spotlight right now—just like you are. From a practical standpoint it doesn’t matter who you ask for, because no matter who the Bureau assigns to the case, the full resources of the FBI come with him. You want the spotlight on the Patriot Center—right now, right away, before things get any worse than they are. You’re hoping the camera will follow me there so you can say, ‘See, America? We told you all about it.’ And then when the public gets tired of hearing about it you’re hoping the camera will go away again—in fact, you’re hoping the whole problem will go away. You don’t really care how I handle this from an investigative perspective; you only care about the way it looks to the public. That’s why you called me in here today—to make sure I say ‘excavation site’ instead of ‘crime scene.’ Your husband is running for president, and you’d just love to get yourself a whole set of those coffee cups, but you’ve got enemies—enemies who could blow this whole thing out of proportion if it isn’t handled correctly. I think that’s why you asked for me, Mrs. Braden. You think I might be a little savvier than your average law enforcement grunt. You think I might be able to handle this the way you want it done—and . . .”

“And?”

“And you think you might be able to handle me.”

She studied his face and slowly smiled. She walked around to the front of the desk and leaned back against it. She placed both palms on the edge and lifted herself up onto the desk, then wriggled back a little and crossed her legs so that her knees were pointing at Donovan’s chest.

Donovan never looked away from her eyes.

“My, my,” she said. “You’re either a very disciplined man or you’re a man who loves his wife. Which is it, Mr. Donovan?”

“Is there some reason you need to know?”

“I like to know people. It comes in handy.”

“Me too,” he said, rising from his chair. “I’m glad I stopped by.” At the door he turned and looked back. “There’s something I need to make clear.”

“What’s that?”

“I stopped by here today purely as a professional courtesy. I don’t know what strings you or your husband pulled to get me assigned to this case, but the assignment came through the assistant director in charge. That means he’s the boss, and I report directly to him—and only to him. If you have any further questions about the way this case will be handled, please direct your questions to him. Is that clear?”

“Very.”

He nodded and opened the door.

“Mr. Donovan.”

“Yes?”

“Tell your wife I’d like to meet her sometime.”