"Just remember who you're working for, okay? I have to know that I come first."

"You come first, my friend," Gabe said. "Now, I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"Is there anything of importance that you're holding back from me? Anything at all?"

Stoddard momentarily looked at him somewhat queerly, then shook his head.

"What's that all about?" he asked.

"Kyle Blackthorn told me he has like a sixth sense about people—whether they're being totally on the level or not. He wondered if you might be holding something back or maybe not telling the whole truth about something. I mean, when we first talked in Wyoming, you did manage to hold something rather big from me."

Again the flicker of that odd look.

"Well, not this time," Stoddard said. "If I know something of any importance, you'll know it. Now, keep me posted, and if you need resources that are at my disposal, just say the word and they'll be at yours."

"The closer to the vest we play this, the better," Gabe replied.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then."

The friends stood and shook hands.

"Tomorrow," Gabe said, before heading to the office to prepare for his rendezvous with Ferendelli.

On the ride down in the small elevator, he acknowledged two things. One was that it was very unlikely that he had any heightened or additional senses as did Blackthorn. But the other was that almost certainly, despite Stoddard's protestation to the contrary, the president was either holding something back from him or lying outright.

CHAPTER 44

Important stuff to talk about, big fella. Please call me. Anytime, day or night.

A.

There was something wrong.

With Alison's note propped up against his desk lamp, Gabe dialed her home and cell phone numbers again. Nothing.

How long ago had she been in the clinic? What sort of important stuff did she mean? Big fella made it sound as if she was enthused and in a good space. Why couldn't he reach her now?

It was nearing eleven fifteen. An hour and forty-five minutes before, hopefully, the mystery of Jim Ferendelli's disappearance and his relationship to Lily Sexton would be unraveled for Gabe.

Between the events earlier in the day at Lily Pad Stables and now his strong feeling that the president was either lying to him or holding something back, this had already been a hell of a trying day. Now Alison wasn't answering either of her phones.

Where in the hell was she at this time of night?