Page 26 (2/2)

Behind the agent was the president of the United States

Not the First Lady, I thought, lanced over at Bodie and the Secret Service agents before his gaze settled ononto me "You’re ho not to stare at the president

The leader of the free world offered me a smile "Tess," he said "Short for Theresa, isn’t it?"

I ed to nod but couldn’t summon up a verbal reply

"It’s nice to meet you, Theresa" President Nolan was in his late sixties He had an easy smile and--unlike his wife--not even a hint of an accent "I’ve heard a lot about you--a bit fro about a dinner?" The president gave me another trade her way," he said He eyed Ivy "So she and your sister have in coents pro down at his watch

The president nodded "No rest for the weary," he told ?"

Ivy worded her response carefully "I doubt I’ll co your people missed"

The president wasn’t dissuaded "You’re resourceful If there’s a skeleton in his closet, I want to know"

Whose closet? I wondered I flashed to the First Lady saying that Justice Marquette’s death was an opportunity, tragic though itup information on possible replacements?

"If there are skeletons," Ivy said coolly, "will I be burying theave her his most presidential smile "Let me have a chat with the party leadership," he said, "and then I’ll let you know"

And just like that, the president was gone

Unfortunately, it didn’t take Ivy long to turn the full strength of her attention on me "You want to tell me why you skipped your afternoon classes?" She crossed one arainst her elbow, one by one "Or where you went?"

I went to see a girl who thinks her father ht Out loud, I opted for: "Not really"

Ivy pressed her lips together, like if they parted, she ret "You know that you can co, at any time"

Maybe I believed that, and maybe I didn’t With Ivy, it was always the maybes that hurt me most Vivvie asked me to keep this secret I concentrated on that Until she’s sure Until we have proof

There was no maybe about that

"Are Supreme Court justices normally treated by the White House physician?" I asked