She seemed to retreat into the cushions of her chair. Apprehension spread across her gentle face. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I think you do,” he said softly.

“No … no, you’re mistaken.”

“Why are you afraid?”

Her hands were trembling now. “I’ve told you all I can.”

“There’s more, much more, Mrs. Austin.” He reached over and took her hands. “Why are you afraid?” he repeated.

“I’m sworn to secrecy,” she murmured.

“Can you explain?”

She said, hesitantly, “You’re with the government, Mr. Seagram. You know what it is to keep a secret.”

“Who was it? Jake? Did he ask you to remain silent?”

She shook her head.

“Then who?”

“Please believe me,” she pleaded. “I can’t tell you … I can’t tell you anything.”

Seagram stood up and looked down on her. She seemed to have aged, the wrinkles etched more deeply in her ancient skin. She had withdrawn into a shell. It would take a mild form of shock treatment to get her to open up.

“May I use your telephone, Mrs. Austin?”

“Yes, of course. You’ll find the nearest extension in the kitchen”

It was seven minutes before the familiar voice came through the earpiece. Quickly, Seagram explained the situation and made his request. Then he turned back to the living room. “Mrs. Austin. Can you come here a moment?”

Timidly, she approached him.

He handed her the receiver. “Here is someone who wishes to speak to you.”

Cautiously, she took it from his hands. “Hello,” she muttered, “this is Adeline Austin.”

For a brief instant, an expression of confusion was mirrored in her eyes, then it was slowly transformed and froze into genuine astonishment. She kept nodding, saying nothing, as though the detached voice over the line was standing before her.

Finally, at the end of the one-sided conversation, she managed to utter a few words “Yes, sir … I will. Goodbye.”

Slowly, she replaced the receiver and stood in a trancelike bewilderment. “Was … was that really the President of the United States?”

“It was. You can verify it if you wish. Call long distance and ask for the White House. When they answer, talk to Gregg Collins. He’s the President’s chief aide. It was he who passed along my call.”

“Just imagine, the President asked me to help him.” She shook her head dazedly. “I can’t believe it really happened.”

“It happened, Mrs. Austin. Believe me, any information you can give us concerning your first husband and the strange circumstances surrounding his death would be of great benefit to the nation. I know that sounds like a trite way of stating it, but …”

“Who can turn down a President?” The sweet smile was back. The tremor was gone from Adeline’s hands. She was back on balance, outwardly, at least.