"No one does. You sent the president out to see me because you knew I'd never believe you if you told me he was the one."

"Do you believe me now?"

"I do."

"For thirty years I have had to live with Irina's and Dimitri's deaths if not as painfully as you have, then nearly so."

"Stoddard did you a deep wrong not to tell the truth from the beginning."

"I agree. I can't begin to tell you what getting kicked out of college and then spending a year in a maximum-security prison was like. In some ways, though, Leon, you have broken the spiral of tragedy by your unwillingness to take my life. There is nothing more wonderful you could have done for your Irina."

"Perhaps," Uretsky said. "Perhaps you are right. Are you still leaving as you said on the phone?"

"I am. First thing in the morning. I have had enough of Washington and politics."

"Do you think we should let the public know the secret of the man they have entrusted with their country?"

"I haven't really decided. You?"

"I need to think—to go back to baking my bread, and to think. Irina had only been in this country for six months when she died. She had already made great progress with her English."

"I think we should keep in touch, you and I—speak every week or two. I would like to get to know you better, and I wish to know what you decide. If you decide you need to go to the press, I will probably choose to support you."

"Andrew Stoddard has hurt us both."

"Badly. But for both of us there is still life. Now, I suppose, it is he who will suffer. Drew can be self-centered and callous, but he is also very human. Regardless of what we decide to do, he will suffer. Do we need revenge for what he has done? I don't know. I really don't know."

"Someone else can run the country."

"He's done a good job, I think, but yes. Someone else could run it and maybe do just as well."

"Maybe better. I need to think."

"I understand."

"I have the number you gave me in Wyoming. I promise to call."

"And I have yours."

"We need to talk some more—to share our feelings."

"I think so, Leon. I think we can be of help to each other."

"I could use that."

"So could I."

Gabe set the rose down at the base of the stone. He nodded toward Uretsky, acknowledging their bond, stood there for another silent minute, then finally turned and hobbled back toward the gate.

EPILOGUE