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Adam felt frustrated and impatient. “Damn it, Liz, can you forget all that for tonight? I just want to be with you, to talk
with you.” Taking hold of her arm, he glanced toward the terrace doors. “Let’s go outside for a few minutes, where it’s more
private.” He started to walk away with her.

She pulled back. He hadn’t paid attention to a word she’d said, dismissing her request breezily, intent on some clandestine
private conversation. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Looking over her shoulder, she spotted Tom. “I think it’s time we
left.”

“Wait, Liz.” He searched for the right words. “We so seldom have a chance to… to just visit.”

“I know and I’m sorry.” Of course she knew that as vice-presidential candidate he must have a million things on his mind.
But it seemed to Liz that he’d changed, gotten caught up in the political machinery. It happened to most everyone, probably.
“Good-bye, Adam.” She hurried across the room.

He watched her make her way toward Tom, wondering why every time they were together, Liz wound up either walking or running
away from him.

Liz opened the door to the ladies’ room, relieved to find the outer room was deserted. She sat down on a padded stool in front
of a bank of mirrors and pulled out her compact. Had she been wrong all this time about Adam? Or had Washington changed him?

He’d been indifferent, distracted, almost annoyed at her request. Perhaps helping obtain and fund a shelter for needy women
was no longer politically correct for the wonder boy
who’d soon be second in command. She felt a little as if she’d lost him a second time.

Liz searched in her bag for her lipstick just as the door swung open and Diane marched in, a vision in neon blue. Unable to
escape, Liz met her eyes in the mirror.

Diane propped both clenched hands on her hips. “Well, well. If it isn’t our grieving widow. How is it that you and my husband
always seem to have so much to discuss in cozy corners?” And why was it that this bitch got better looking as the years went
by, while she had to struggle to keep the pounds from mounting and the gray from creeping through?

Liz didn’t need this tonight. Slowly she swung around to face Adam’s wife. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t you?” Diane’s eyes narrowed nastily. “Listen, sugar, I think it’s time you let go of your adolescent crush on Adam
McKenzie. In case you haven’t noticed, he’s
my
husband.”

“Oh, I’ve noticed. And you’re welcome to him.” Liz put away her lipstick and stood.

Diane stepped closer. “Just what were you two talking about with your heads together behind that palm tree?”

“If you must know, we were having a difference of opinion.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Frankly, I don’t give a damn what you believe.” Liz brushed past her and walked out.

“Your voice sounds wonderfully clear, as if you were in the next room.” Liz blinked against a rush of emotion as she pressed
the phone to her ear.

“Yours, too.” Sara was bubbling over. “You should see this country, Mom. It’s
fantastic.
The grass is so green you’d swear someone spray-painted it. And these yellow bushes and white thorn trees are everywhere.
And cows. There’s not a field without these great big black-and-white cows. I mean, right on into the center of town.”

Liz smiled. “Sounds terrific.”

“Yesterday we saw this caravan of nomads driving along this country road. They’re called tinkers, and they’ve got all their
worldly possessions in their wagons. They just wander around, doing this odd job and that. Then we stopped at this pub and
had a huge bowl of Irish stew and this great homemade bread.”

Liz laughed. “You’re going to get fat.”

“No, ‘cause we do a lot of walking. We toured a castle.
Mom, a real live castle where descendants of Irish royalty still live. Can you imagine?”

“Then I gather you’re having a good time?” What an understatement, Liz thought.

“A marvelous time.” Sara’s voice lowered a notch. “I wish you’d have come with us. You’d love it here.”

Liz felt her throat tighten. “Maybe one day we’ll go back together.”

“And we’ll take Grandma. How is she doing?”

“Good. I keep her busy.”

“That’s good. Well, I’ve got to go. We’re going shopping in a couple of minutes. The stores are so cute. They’re all tucked
into these little nooks and crannies. Not like our malls at all. And tomorrow we’re driving north.”

“Watch your budget, sweetheart.”

“I am. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too. And please, be careful.” Emotions churning, Liz hung up. Of course, she was delighted her daughter was enjoying
the trip and very glad she’d called. But hearing Sara’s voice only reminded Liz how much she missed her.

The doorbell was ringing, and she hurried to answer, dabbing at her eyes as she went. Nancy stood there in designer jeans
and a navy silk blouse. Liz smiled her approval. “You look great. Been shopping?”

Nancy walked in. “Mother insisted. I let her bankroll me, but I’m going to pay her back. We also got this sensational red
dress with a jacket. I’ve never owned anything like it.” She let a smile break through. “And I’ve got a job.”

“Wonderful. Where and doing what?”

“In Dr. Westmoreland’s office as a receptionist. The current one’s pregnant and leaving soon. She’s going to train me.” Nancy
shrugged. “It’s not much, but it’s a start.”

Liz slid her arm around Nancy. She’d been dry for nearly two months, and Liz couldn’t be more proud. “I think it’s terrific.”

“And I’m moving into my own place. I found a rental near Balboa Park. Small, but it’ll be mine.”

“Mom will miss you.”

“I’ll still see her, but living with her… well, she’s just too Donna Reed for me, you know, Liz? She’s so terminally
correct
in everything. Drives me up the wall.”

Liz smiled at the accuracy of the description. “I’m sure you’ll do fine on your own.”

“I hope we can still see each other.”

“Of course we will.”

Nancy hesitated, uncertain whether to continue, then decided to jump in. “Ever since I found out about you and Adam McKenzie,
I like you better, Liz. I’m more comfortable with you.”

Baffled, Liz frowned. “Why, because I’m not as perfect as you thought I was?”

“No, because you’re finally real.” Uncharacteristically, she leaned in to hug her sister. “I start my job on Monday, so today’s
the last day I can work at Helping Hands. During the day, that is. I can still go some evenings and maybe an occasional weekend.”

Liz picked up her purse. “You know they’ll be glad to have you whenever you can make it. Come on, let’s go.”

In Liz’s car Nancy fastened her seat belt. “Only two weeks until eviction. Have you got any leads on a new place yet?”

Liz drove out of the circular drive, remembering her conversation with Adam just a few days ago. “No, but I’ve asked Tom Nelson
to make some inquiries. He’s working on it.”

“What’ll happen if they can’t find a place in time?”

Liz ground her teeth. “I don’t know.”

Jesse Conroy still looked like a man you could trust, and he was. As California’s attorney general he considered himself the
watchdog of his constituents, put into office to safeguard the voters. He was very good at ferreting out possible problems
and finding solutions.

Something had come to his attention recently that had him
deeply concerned, which was why he’d phoned his old friend Adam.

“Jesse,” Adam greeted him. “I missed seeing you at that fund-raiser at the Del.”

“I just got bogged down with paperwork and couldn’t spare the time.” Jesse went right to the heart of it. “One of my guys
thinks he’s spotted a potential problem. I’m sure you’re aware, since you’ve been meeting with Jim McCaffrey and Len Davis,
that McCaffrey-Davis has been granted several government contracts through the years to produce planes. The most recent batch
was T-38’s shipped to air force bases all over the country to be used for training pilots. We’ve gotten wind of a defective
part.”

Adam leaned back on his desk chair. “What kind of a defect?”

“Without going into technical detail, let me just say that our expert says that it’s a circuitry connection that could cause
an explosion
if
certain circumstances were all present. You understand I said
could
cause, not necessarily
will
cause.”

“But your man thinks the possibility of an explosion exists?”

“Yeah, he does.”

“Then we need to notify McCaffrey to initiate a recall so they can test and repair or replace the defective part.”

“Yes, that’s what I thought, too, which is what we did. Only the top brass at McCaffrey denies any defect. They sent my office
this thirty-page report detailing their tests, and they say they’re absolutely satisfied there’s no danger.”

Adam toyed with his pen thoughtfully. “So what would your best guess be on this?”

“That we’ve stumbled onto a possible cover-up. Recalls are very expensive. But here’s the kicker. Do you know what senator
okayed the government contract for those planes? None other than Palmer Ames when he was chairman of the Armed Forces Committee.”

Adam ran a hand over his face. Surely Palmer wasn’t in on something shady. Had he sent Adam to meet with McCaffrey and Davis
on purpose, to keep his own connection under wraps? Adam tossed down his pen and leaned forward, elbows on his desk. “I’d
like you to investigate this thoroughly, Jesse, and give me a complete report as soon as possible. If there is a cover-up
under way and Palmer’s involved, it’s going to really hit the fan this close to election.”

“That’s why I called you.”

“How long before you could have that report?”

“A week, ten days at the most.”

“I appreciate your coming to me on this. Rest assured, if there is a problem with those planes, I’ll personally see to a recall.”

In Sacramento Jesse leaned back, relaxing. Some things never changed, and he was glad. “I know you will. I’ll be in touch.”

“Right. Thanks, Jesse.” Adam stared at the phone, wondering if his early suspicions about Palmer’s basic integrity were about
to be tested. The phone rang again, and he picked it up.

Five minutes later he hung up smiling. Finally another old friend had come through. He buzzed his secretary as he stood and
began to pack his briefcase.

“Yes, Senator?” Anne’s soft voice came over the intercom.

“Anne, please call Senator Ames and let him know that I’ll be able to meet with the coalition of western governors in San
Diego tomorrow after all. Also, notify the California governor’s office that I’ll sit in on tomorrow night’s dinner meeting.
Then get me a reservation on the very next flight out to San Diego. Order the car, please, and get my wife on the phone.”
As efficient as she was, he knew Anne would take care of everything smoothly. He had a rare opportunity to please Palmer and
take care of a personal matter at the
same time. By the time he’d finished shoving all he thought he’d need into his case, she was buzzing him back.

“Your flight’s at two-ten from Dulles, arriving at San Diego at four-thirty, with the three-hour time change. The car’s on
its way, and Mrs. McKenzie isn’t at home. Would you know where I might reach her?”

“I’ll leave a message on our answering machine. Thanks, Anne.” He clicked off and picked up the phone. But the number he dialed
wasn’t his home.

“Hello?” Liz Fairchild answered.

“Liz, it’s Adam. I need a favor.”

She paused, remembering that they hadn’t parted amicably their last encounter. “What might that be?”

He heard the hesitancy in her voice and couldn’t blame her. He was about to take care of her doubts. “I need you to pick me
up at the airport at four-thirty. I also need you to not ask any questions right now, please.”

She frowned. This was decidedly not like Adam. She knew that if he were flying in, he could get a limo, a cab, or an aide
to pick him up in a minute. However, he was not a man who played games. Therefore she’d go along—this time. “All right.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you for trusting me. You won’t be sorry.” He gave her the flight information. “See you
shortly.”

He had two more calls to make. A message for Diane that would undoubtedly piss her off royally and a quick chat with Fitz
to let him know that his plans had changed. Before he could pick up the phone again, Anne buzzed him.

“Senator Ames isn’t in, but I left your message with his secretary. If you need to speak with him, I could have him paged.”

Adam didn’t want to talk to Palmer just now, not until he got Jesse’s report and took care of something else even more important.
“No thanks, Anne. I’m in a bit of a rush.” As soon as she clicked off, he picked up the phone. Feeling more in
control of his life than he had in years, Adam dialed his brother’s office.

“I see you gave up convertibles,” Adam commented as he placed his bag and briefcase into the trunk of Liz’s BMW. He’d picked
up a small manila envelope left for him at the airline counter and slipped it into his pocket.

“Yes, some time ago.” She watched him toss his suit coat in after his luggage, followed by his tie. He looked oddly relaxed
for Adam, almost happy. More like the old Adam, the one she’d known years ago, right here in San Diego.

“May I drive?”

She handed him her keys and got in on the passenger side. “You’re certainly being mysterious.”

Adam started the car and headed for the parking lot exit. “I understand women are fascinated by men of mystery.” He sent her
a smiling glance and saw she was looking straight ahead.

“Is that a fact?” What was she doing, Liz asked herself, all alone on a sunny afternoon, heading for an unknown destination
with a man who could charm the birds out of the trees?

“That’s what I’ve heard.” He swung out of the lot and headed south toward Highway 5, then turned to look at her. Her white
slacks and red silk blouse with tiny pearl buttons were as elegant as she herself was. Her auburn hair came just to her shoulders,
and small gold hoop earrings glinted when she moved. She was all that he’d ever wanted and everything he’d let slip through
his fingers. “I don’t recall ever seeing you wear red before.”