Power Play

Savich said, “What agenda would that be?”

“To terrify Perry? Perhaps to separate her from her mother? That’s an agenda, but to what purpose?”

Savich gave him a long look. “Has it occurred to you the shooter may have been trying to separate Perry from you? Didn’t you say most of the bullets hit closer to you than to Perry?”

Davis said, “All right, then. Day Abbott comes to mind. He’s been calling Perry all week. She’s known him since she was born, more or less, and now he’s got it into his head she’s going to marry him. I’ve been letting talking with him slide because Perry speaks very highly of him, and why would he threaten her? After last night, though, we have to interview him. There might be something there. Remember Carlos knew the alarm code to Perry’s condo. It’s very likely Abbott would know that code. And he knew how much she loved her Harley.” He shook his head. “Was he hoping she would turn to him for help?”

Savich said, “The thought he’d be so jealous of you to put Perry at risk at the same time—it’d be insane obsession. If he’s that far gone, he hides it well. Still, we should see what he has to say. Be careful, though. I get a sense you don’t like him. Does he have a reason to think you’re poaching on his turf?”

“I don’t have any turf here. He doesn’t, either, only he doesn’t know it yet. Listen, Savich, sure, Perry is great, but nothing like that has happened. As for my not liking Abbott, who cares? It doesn’t matter what I think of the man.”

“All right, go talk to him. Take Griffin with you. Remember who the man’s mother is, Davis. Tread lightly.”

Davis nodded and looked down at his watch. “By this time, Natalie should be giving her speech to the General Assembly at the UN.”

“An interesting venue the president picked to bring her back in the public eye. She was good with the talking heads last night. They liked her, empathized with her. So did I. I expect she’ll have them all on her side in a few days.” Savich typed in the URL of the direct video feed from the UN as he spoke.

They watched Secretary of State Arliss Abbott standing in front of the General Assembly, looking around at faces, acknowledging delegates she recognized before she spoke. She gave a fulsome introduction of Natalie Black, U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, in a strong, ringing voice. She praised her friend’s courage and her outstanding service, even in the face of an assassination attempt at her home three nights before. She left little doubt they were about to hear from an American icon.

When the applause died down, Natalie thanked her and spoke for eight minutes, never mentioning the attack on her life. She spoke clearly and concisely about concrete initiatives to expand trade with emerging nations. Some of her speech was rather arcane, and none of it was entirely new, but the delegates seemed glued to her every word.

When she finished, there was more sustained applause, obviously meant to honor her. Some of the representatives from the emerging nations she’d mentioned applauded along with the rest but looked frankly bewildered at the warm response to her speech.

Davis scratched at the leopard Band-Aid from Perry’s medicine cabinet she’d plastered on his face that morning. “I really do love that woman,” he said.

Harlow, Benson, and Lerner

1980 Avenue K, Ashland Building

Washington, D.C.

Monday, noon

According to the very young, very pretty receptionist, Ms. Liu, Mr. Abbott was in his office, but he was very busy and expected in a meeting in forty-five minutes. She stammered a bit as she spoke, kept sneaking looks at Griffin. Davis was used to that. Women from fifteen to eighty seemed to fall all over Griffin at the sight of him.

“Mr. Abbott may be between clients, Agents. S-shall I see if—”

Griffin smiled at her and she simply stopped talking. “No problem, Ms. Liu. We’ll announce ourselves.”

Davis knew Ms. Liu was staring after Griffin all the way down the hall. He said, “I’ll bet Anna loves that.” Anna was the DEA agent Griffin had met on a case not long ago in Maestro, Virginia. “Loves what?” Griffin asked, pausing for a moment to glance at one of the sepia photographs of 1850s steamships lining the walls.

Davis gave a hand wave back to the reception area. “Shall I give Ms. Liu your phone number when she asks?”

Griffin said matter-of-factly, “Anna is laid-back for a woman who carries a gun. She’ll get in anyone’s face if they cross her, but with me she’s an angel—actually, I get my way about half the time.”