“Male.”

“I want to talk to him.”

“I figured you would, so I tracked down his info. The school is closed because of the holiday break. He’s probably home today.”

“How much snow did we get?”

“Fourteen inches.”

“Seriously? Everything must be closed.”

“It is, and the mayor is asking nonessential personnel to stay off the roads.”

Nick came back into the room. “All set. The Secret Service will take us to GW.”

“Hang on, Dani.” To Nick, she said, “You have your security briefing.”

“I put it off until eleven.”

“You don’t have to come.”

“Yes, I do, or you’ll have Vernon take you to HQ rather than GW.”

She scowled at him and then heard Carlucci cracking up. “You’d better not be laughing at what he said.”

“I heard nothing.”

“Why does everyone in my life lie to my face or my ear?”

“It’s how we manage you,” Nick said. “Now let’s get going.”

“I’ve got to go,” Sam said to Dani as she scowled at her husband. “Pass everything off to Gonzo and the others. Tell them I’ll be in as soon as I can.”

“Will do. Hope it’s nothing serious.”

“It had better not be.” Sam slapped her phone closed and let Nick help her into leggings, a sweater and boots. She was in a cold sweat from the pain by the time she was dressed.

Nick reached for her cell phone. “Give your friend Dr. Anderson a call and ask him to get us in with a minimum of fuss.”

Sam put through the call, even though it was the very last thing she wanted to do.

“How’s my favorite first lady today?” Anderson asked when he answered the call.

“It seems that I might’ve busted my ass.”

“What’s that?”

“I fell on the ice at work yesterday and can’t put any weight on my right leg today.”

“Oh shit. Can you get here?”

“That’s the plan. The Secret Service is bringing me because the ball and chain insists on coming.”

Nick sent her a filthy look as Anderson laughed.

He told her which entrance to use and to call when they were getting close.

“Thanks.”

“Anything for my favorite patient.”

“Now that’s just a damned lie.”

He was laughing when she ended the call.

“Everyone is a comedian,” she said to Nick. “I have to pee and brush my teeth.”

He helped her up and then put his arm around her to act like a crutch on her right side. “Ball and chain, huh?”

“If the chain fits...” Moving carefully, they made their way to the bathroom, where she discovered sitting on a toilet was no more pleasant than sitting on the bed. In fact, it was much less pleasant than the bed had been. By the time she finished, she had tears in her eyes. She reached back to flush. “I might need you to get me up.”