"Constanza, listen to me, please. Don't leave me like this. I know Donald has been good to you, but he has hurt me. He has hurt me badly. And he's not done. He will continue to hurt me until he is convinced I have told him all I know; then he will kill me."

"But Donald will be furious with me. He sometimes has a short temper, and he can get very angry."

Alison continued desperately fumbling for the right words.

"Think of . . . of how you would feel being tied down like this."

Constanza did think for a time. Then she shook her head, turned, and headed back toward the stairs.

"I'm sorry," she murmured over her shoulder.

Alison felt her heart sink.

CHAPTER 56

So far so good. . . . So far so good. . . .

As Gabe showered, the mantra flowed steadily through his head. So far so good. . . .

He got no cell phone signal in the castle, but he did outside. He dialed both of the numbers he had for Alison, half-expecting—or was it praying—to hear her voice. No answer at either. The mantra slowed, then stopped.

Was there anyone he could call to report that she was missing? Anyone he could ask? He briefly wondered if he should try to reach the admiral. Possibly Ellis Wright knew something.

The third number he dialed was answered on the first ring.

"Yes?"

"Drew, it's Gabe."

"Hey! Calling from The Aerie?"

"By the moat. There's no signal inside."

"What do you think?"

"Charming little bungalow. A monument to benign neglect—sort of like me."

"Look at the bright side: You could have grown up there."

"Everything okay with my patient?"

"Never better. I've been up for an hour. Did a little stretching, drank some coffee, did a few sit-ups, vetoed some bills. You know how it is with this job."

"You ready to ride?"

"I'm ready to put this whole business behind me. I feel so damn helpless. What good is it being president if you can't control everything and boss everyone around?"

"Not to worry. You'll be back martineting before you know it. Just remember, until we know who and why, everyone is a potential assassin, no matter how meek or innocent they might seem. Keep your eyes open and keep your plans guarded until the very last minute. I'll be coming into the city to run some more errands; then I'm going to find a safe place to stash my new wheels just off one of the riding trails."

"You going to be able to find the car again once we're galloping through the woods?"

"I intend to go to the stables as soon as I can and to convince the stable master—what's his name again?"

"Rizzo. Joe Rizzo."

"To let me go for a brisk solo ride to clear my head."

"I'll make a call and set that up for you. You have that map I drew showing where the stables are?"