The First Lady - James Patterson Page 0,89

carved-wood sign made by Amelia, SALLY GRISSOM, AWESOME AGENT, though I don’t feel very awesome at the moment.

“Pretty quiet there, Scotty.”

He doesn’t say a word.

“I’m wondering why you’re not asking me why I left you behind at my sister’s place and borrowed her car to take the First Lady over to that homeless shelter.”

Scotty says quietly, “You probably had your reasons.”

“Good reasons,” I say. “Let’s not play around, okay? Show me some respect. I’ve seen the phone records. Just tell me … what did Hoyt promise you?”

My deputy’s jaw clenches, unclenches, and there’s probably a little battle going on, about what to say next, and Scotty says, “Your job. Plus a great career down the road at his company.”

I nod. “Not thirty pieces of silver, I guess, but it’ll do. And now’s the time for me to ask, why?”

A slight shrug. “Nothing personal, boss. I did three tours overseas. I’m ex-Ranger. I’ve done things that you could only have nightmares about … and I’m supposed to be bossed around by a former Metro and Virginia state cop? A woman?” Another slight shrug. “Not acceptable.”

I keep my anger and outrage under control. “All right, thanks for telling me that.”

I open up my drawer, rummage around, don’t see anything personal in there, and I say, “My sister also told me you were restless last night, getting up a few times, like you were trying to sneak through the living room and come upstairs to where CANARY was sleeping. But my sister sure is a light sleeper, isn’t she?”

Scotty doesn’t respond. I give the drawer one last look, close it, and look up. Scotty is still there.

“Well?” I say. “Is there anything else?”

Now he finally looks uncomfortable. “Um, well, what now?”

“Beats the hell out of me,” I say. “I’m ending my employment with the Secret Service and Homeland Security, effective … in about ten minutes. Upstairs I believe the President is in the middle of dismissing his chief of staff. At some point there may or may not be a congressional investigation, depending on how this election turns out. But I’m certain there’ll be some sort of internal and confidential Secret Service review as to what the hell went on here during the past few days. If not, an anonymous phone call to Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General will certainly get things moving.”

He stays quiet.

“In the meantime, Scotty, you’re going to get what you want, to be in charge of the Presidential Protective Division.” I gently place Amelia’s sign into the top of the crowded box.

I force myself to smile. “Enjoy it while you can.”

CHAPTER 85

A SONG IN one’s heart and a spring in one’s step, that’s how the saying goes, and Tammy Doyle is feeling it as she strides across the main office area—filled with rows of cubicles—now heading down a hallway and right up to the closed door of Amanda Price’s corner office, quickly passing by her two administrative assistants, grabbing the doorknob, and walking right in.

A week ago she would have never considered doing something so rude and forward.

But a week is a lifetime ago.

Amanda Price, smoking a cigarette and on the phone with someone, looks up and says, “What the hell is going on, Tammy? Is the place on fire? Or has the President finally proposed marriage?”

The corner office has a great view of K Street and the surrounding buildings, the best in the company. “I need to talk to you, Amanda.”

Phone in hand, Amanda puts her cigarette down in the crowded ashtray. “I can see you in an hour.”

“Now.”

Amanda’s inked eyebrows lift up some. “Don’t push me, Tammy.”

“If I don’t see you now,” Tammy says, “you’re going to be the one pushed. Out the front door.”

Amanda speaks into the phone. “Jeb, sorry, something’s come up. I’ll call you back in sixty seconds. Promise.”

Amanda slams the receiver down and starts in on Tammy, and Tammy yells back, “Enough! Amanda, I’ve been here some years and that’s the last time you’re ever going to raise your voice to me. Ever.”

That gets her attention. She folds her hands before her, forming a slim and strong triangle. “I told Jeb I’d be calling him back in sixty seconds. You’ve got about thirty seconds left before I fire your ass and make that phone call.”

Tammy says, “Lucian Crockett.”

That puzzles her. “Go on.”

“I just got off the phone with him. He’s ready to do business with the company … but only through me.”

Amanda clenches her fingers together into a fist. “You shouldn’t