The Liar's Lullaby (44 page)

She handed them to McFarland. He leaned back. Slowly, his face neutral, the president read through them. The cabin was silent.

“Does Quintana know his orders might have been changed because of political—”

“No. And he doesn’t know I’m showing them to you. He would never request deferment or redeployment.” Her voice caught. “And I’m not requesting it. He’s ready to go.”

She steadied herself. “But I wanted you to know.”

He looked Jo straight in the eye. “I’m going to check this out.”

He stood up. Jo did too. They shook hands.

There was a knock on the door. An aide stuck her head in. “We’re ready for the broadcast, Mr. President.”

 

 

T
HE DARK SUITS were waiting for Jo by the open door of the jet. Behind her, television sets broadcast McFarland’s voice as he addressed the nation.

“My fellow Americans, tonight I want to speak about the courage of those people who yesterday, in the face of grave danger, saved my life. Sergeant Gabriel Quintana of the California Air National Guard, Lieutenant Amy Tang of the San Francisco Police Department, Officer Declan McNamara of the SFPD . . .”

Jo wondered what would happen next—Congressional hearings? A commission to investigate the assassination plot? Would Lewicki’s role be explained as a quest for power?

She paused at the door of the jet.

“. . . and especially my lifelong friend, K. T. Lewicki, who gave his own life not only to rescue others from the siege at Waymire and Fong, but to protect and defend the office of the president. There is no greater act of public service than to sacrifice oneself for his country.”

The wind buffeted Jo through the open door. She gazed across the tarmac. The evening sun shone gold in her eyes, failing and constant. She put on her sunglasses and turned to the Secret Service.

“Let’s get out of here.”

For their superb advice and tireless support, my thanks go to my editors, Ben Sevier at Dutton and Patrick Janson-Smith at Blue Door; my literary agents, Sheila Crowley and Deborah Schneider; and a host of others who have helped make this novel the best it could be: Paul Shreve, Sara Gardiner, M.D., John Plombon, Ph.D., Lloyd Wood, Mary Albanese, Suzanne Davidovac, Adrienne Dines, Kelly Gerrard, Susan Graunke, and Kathy Montgomery.

Meg Gardiner is the author of
The Memory Collector
as well as the Evan Delaney novels, including the Edgar award-winner
China Lake
. Originally from Santa Barbara, California, she now lives in London.