“That’s the signal from Kim,” Darlene said. “She and Nicole are in the bathroom. I have to get back inside. She set her foot on the bottom step, then paused. “How should I contact you?”

Double M reached into his jacket again and took out a cell phone. “This is a disposable cell phone. Nobody will be able to trace your call to me, and you won’t be able to trace me from it, either. There’s one recent call on it. Ring that number only when you have something to report. Afterwards, please completely destroy the phone.”

“Whatever it is you’re going through seems agonizing,” Darlene said. “I’m truly sorry.”

“I knew you’d understand,” the man said. “I’ll take care of the ladder.”

Darlene ascended the remaining steps, gripped the window’s edge, and silently hoisted herself back into the bathroom.

*   *   *

VICTOR OCHOA approached Darlene as she and Kim were exiting the theater. “May I speak with you a moment in private?” he asked.

Kim had been talking nonstop about the movie, in effect allowing her to transmit a plot summary to Darlene, just in case.

“Of course, Victor,” Darlene said.

Ochoa escorted her to a secluded corner of the theater.

“What’s up?” Darlene asked. Her heart was a jackhammer in her chest. She knew Victor well enough to sense that something was very wrong. His expression did nothing to dispel that notion.

“Listen, I’m on your side,” the swarthy agent said evenly. “I have one job to do and that’s to keep you safe.”

“And you do it well,” Darlene said, trying not to stammer.

“Not when you sneak through a bathroom window to rendezvous with a tall muscle man in the alley behind the theater.”

“Victor, I—”

“It’s not my business to know all the details of your life,” he said. “But it is my business to know where you are and who you’re with. Look, I’m not your husband and I’m not here to judge you. I’ve worked for three First Ladies before you. I trusted them and they all trusted me. But if I find you’re not trusting in me anymore, if I find you’re playing games that are keeping me from doing my job, then my allegiance will have to go someplace else. Is that understood, Madam First Lady?”

Darlene felt her throat tighten. “You won’t tell my husband?”

“Not if you stop trying to sneak away.”

Darlene squeezed Ochoa’s arm. “I’ll explain to you soon,” she vowed.

“Not necessary, but I’d appreciate that.”

“I’m lucky to have you.”

“No, that guy you met back there is lucky,” the graying agent replied. “If I hadn’t seen that envelope come out of his pocket, he would have developed a new orifice or two in his body.”

Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27