The two men returned to their blueprints and Nick returned to wandering the room—but he kept an ear tuned to their discussion. They were studying blueprints of Bradenton’s farmhouse and grounds, identifying the vulnerabilities and deciding where security would need to be enhanced.

Nick pointed to a door in the corner of the room. “Excuse me—is that a bathroom?”

One of the agents looked up. “I think so, yes.”

“Do you think the senator would mind?”

“I’d leave the seat down if I were you—Mrs. Braden uses it too.”

How convenient, Nick thought. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

When he emerged again the security guard was waiting for him in the doorway. “Dr. Polchak—the senator will see you.”

Nick looked at the office. “Here?”

“No—I’m to take you to him. Do you ride?”

Nick blinked. “If you’re driving, I’m riding.”

“Horses, Dr. Polchak. This is a horse farm.”

“I’m not very good with large animals,” Nick said. “Have you got anything with wheels?”

“We’ll take the Land Rover. Follow me.”

They exited by a back door into a parking lot between the house and a long outbuilding with multiple doors—stables, Nick guessed. They climbed into the car and started down a gravel road that led away from the farmhouse; a half mile later the gravel road ended and they continued to drive across open fields. Nick kept wondering where the property would end, but there seemed to be no end in sight.

“I didn’t get your name,” Nick said.

“Riddick—Chris Riddick.”

“The two guys in the senator’s study—they said they were Secret Service.”

Riddick didn’t respond.

“And I understand you’re private security. When did you sign on?”

“About three years ago.”

“When Braden started to draw more attention?”

“That’s right.”

“When does the Secret Service take over?”

Riddick paused. “A hundred and twenty days before the election.”

“That’s only a few weeks from now.”

“Thanks, I figured that out.”

“When the Secret Service takes over, what happens to you?”

Riddick jerked the steering wheel to the left, throwing Nick up against the passenger door. The Land Rover lurched up and over a small rise, then bounded down the slope on the opposite side. Just before a stand of tall hardwoods he slammed the brakes, bringing the car to a skidding stop.

Nick released his grip on the dashboard and looked at Riddick. “This concludes your jungle adventure—please watch your step on the way out.”

Riddick opened his door and got out. “This way.”

Nick followed him toward the trees; as he approached, he heard a flurry of wings and saw a gray-and-white bird rise from the grass just a few yards away. There was an echoing blast followed by a puff of feathers— then the bird fell silently back to earth.