Hearing the desperateness in Maggie's voice, Annie and Myra looked at each other in alarm.

"Everything did change when the pardons came through. But that was to be expected. We missed the girls' weddings, if there were weddings. We didn't go to Lizzie's White House shower or the christening because we didn't want to make a circus out of it for her. I think things might have turned out differently if Henry Jellicoe hadn't stepped into the game," Myra said, her voice cold and tight.

"It was like he stole everyone away from us in the blink of an eye," Annie said, her eyes narrowing in thought.

"Keep going, ladies," Maggie said.

"It did happen fast. He dazzled the boys with all that money," Myra said.

"Just like that, he decided to retire. I thought it strange at the time," Annie said.

"Did you know that Henry Jellicoe dropped off the face of the earth for a whole year and a half?" At Myra's and Annie's blank looks, Maggie nodded. "He did. I understand he's back at his farm, or whatever it is, in Pennsylvania. It could also be a rumor."

"Did he disappear...go away...right after he hired all his new help?" Myra asked. The glint in her eyes was like cold ice.

"As far as I can tell, that's what happened. There was a thing going on with Jellicoe and the president. In fact, you'll remember, he asked her to marry him and gave her a ring the night of the pardons. No one knows exactly what happened afterward, but there has been a lot of speculation.

"However, the press, the Post included, cut her a lot of slack. Engagements and marriage are too personal not to. The president has never made any comments about the engagement or the marriage. In the press photos I've seen of her, she wasn't wearing an engagement ring. That might not mean anything since as a rule she doesn't wear jewelry for photo ops," Maggie said.

"If anyone would know more about it, it would be Lizzie," Myra said.

"Lizzie is wrapped up in her own little world, and rightly so. When we talk, it's about the baby and how wonderful motherhood is. I did try to ask some off-the-cuff questions, but she acted like she didn't know what I was talking about. I really don't think she knows anything to share," Maggie said as she picked up a chicken leg and looked at it as though she couldn't decide if she should eat it or not.

Annie threw her hands in the air. "And all that means what? I think you need to spell out what exactly your concern is, so we can talk it to death."

Maggie laid the chicken leg on a colorful plastic plate. "Am I the only one who is getting this? Ooops, Ted and I are the only ones. Okay, listen up." Maggie crossed her legs Indian style and leaned forward. "First things first. We are having this discussion here in the park, so no one can hear us. Now, do you not find it weird, strange, inexplicable, as to why Henry Jellicoe would turn Global Securities over to our people? And they are our people. It's a given that he knew the pardons were going to go through. The man then practically offers up his company on a platinum platter to Bert and Jack, who in the blink of an eye resign respectively as director of the FBI and as deputy district attorney for the District of Columbia, jobs they loved. I know the money offer was a little too enticing to turn down. Ditto for Harry and the others. Global Securities is the eyes and ears of the security world. They do not come any better than that company. The whole world knows that.

"It has sixty thousand employees around the world. Revenues are off the charts."

Myra toyed with the food she'd heaped on her plate. "No one is disputing that the firm is solvent. What are you trying to say?"

Maggie picked at the crisp batter on her chicken leg with one of her pointy nails. "What was the urgency in going after our people? And as you know, Jellicoe immediately scattered our guys all over the world. Lizzie and I are just about the only ones left here in the States. Well, Annie was in Vegas. And someone made sure you stayed down on the farm, Myra, now, didn't they? No one has seen hide nor hair of you in the past year and a half. No one showed up at the farm for Christmas. I'm sure you asked yourself why a thousand times. From what I can gather, every place one of our people is stationed, there was some kind of crisis that prevented any of them from taking a trip. Never lose sight of the fact that Global is the eyes and ears of the world. They can do what the CIA, the FBI, and all those other organizations can't. They take the law into their own hands and get the job done. Kind of like the vigilantes, don't you think? Are you starting to see what I'm seeing?

"When you're done asking yourself that, ask yourself why Jellicoe hired Ted and Espinosa. JGS had a newsletter that went out to all employees four times a year. Clients got a slightly different version. There's nothing wrong with that. He had smart people in a suite of offices in New York taking care of the text of both versions. He shut that down and opened offices in Rome, where he sent Ted and Espinosa. All they do is travel the globe, get info from all the group leaders or whatever they're called. Ted puts it all together in a glossy twelve-page magazine that goes out once a month. Espinosa does the pictures. Ted said it's all bulls.h.i.t. Espinosa agrees. But...they're not here. Meaning here in the States. Particularly here in Washington. No one is here but the three of us, four if you count Lizzie. And until now, Annie, you were nowhere near the capital."

Annie and Myra both threw their hands up in the air at the same time. Their words were identical when they spoke simultaneously. "What does it mean?"

"I'll be d.a.m.ned if I know," Maggie said as she finally bit into the chicken leg she was holding. "But the reporter in me and Ted says it means something. You can take that to the bank!"

Chapter 4.

Myra and Annie looked at each other, their eyes wide. It was Annie who spoke first. "So what you are saying is, Hank Jellicoe did not consider either Myra or me a threat. I'm not sure about you, Myra, but I feel insulted. It's like he thinks you and I don't count. Off the top of my head, I'd say you, Maggie, are a huge threat. He takes away Ted and Joseph Espinosa and leaves you behind. You're the EIC of the Post. The position alone should be a threat to him if he's up to some kind of shenanigans."

"Ah, but without my star reporter and star photographer, I just have regulation reporters, greenhorns, guys and gals who don't have that fire in their bellies like the three of us do...did. They don't think outside the box. Ted and I were born outside the box. We always took it to the next level with no coaching or pleading from anyone.

"Think about it. In the blink of an eye, everyone is gone. G-O-N-E! Didn't even one little red flag go up?" At Myra's and Annie's blank looks, Maggie shook her head in disgust.

"How about this? Hank Jellicoe disappears. For well over a year and a half. I can understand you maybe not knowing that, but now you do. That's a red flag all by itself. Then he gets very publicly engaged, and that gets a lid clamped on it. To the president of these here United States!" Maggie drawled. "That's another great big red flag. At least to me it is, and to the reporter in me, too. Jellicoe has gone to ground, and he certainly knows how to do that considering the business he's in. To be honest, I'm not even sure he's at his farm in Pennsylvania. That place is like Fort Knox. Impossible to penetrate. I know because I tried."

"You did!" Myra cried in surprise.

"Well, yes, Myra, I did. When I started getting these weird e-mails and texts from Ted, I knew that's what he wanted me to do. Look, Ted is the best of the best. So is Espinosa. Jellicoe dazzled Ted and Joe with all that money. Ted saw it as a way to get a house for us, some new vehicles, sock some money away for retirement. I can't fault him for that. First, last, and always he is a gut reporter. He smelled it before anyone else did. And he's on it in his own way. I have to admit that I'm more than a little worried. G.I. Joe, as Ted calls Jellicoe, is up to something. Since we three are odd men out, so to speak, I guess it's up to us to ferret out what is going on."

"I can't believe the man thinks you, Annie, and I are no threat to him. That doesn't say much for us, now, does it? I've known Hank for a long time. The man sent Charles and me a wedding present. I'm having trouble with all of this, Maggie," Myra said fretfully. "Charles is...I think Charles would have said something if he...suspected anything was amiss. They're personal as well as undercover-business friends. They go way back. Who did you send there, and why aren't you sure if Hank is in residence?"

"It's not important who I sent. What's important is that the person had a thermal-imaging camera, and he picked up on three persons in the house. There's a housekeeper and a grounds-keeper. Jellicoe would make the third person. Or the third person could be the head of his personal security. My person said he's seen him go into the house and stay for hours. I'm not sure. Like I said, the security at that farm is worthy of Fort Knox."

"But if Jellicoe is up to something...illegal or...worse, why hasn't whatever he was planning happened? It's well over a year, and nothing particular seems to be wrong anywhere, so what is it specifically that is worrying you?" Annie asked.

"If I knew that, Annie, we wouldn't be sitting here having a picnic in Rock Creek Park away from prying eyes and ears," Maggie snapped irritably. "I just hate it when it won't come together and I can't figure it out."

Myra threw her hands up in the air. "I know the feeling." She watched as a fat squirrel scampered toward the blanket. Two blue jays swooped down, then flew off. Annie tossed some of the breading from the fried chicken in the direction of the squirrel, which immediately picked it up and turned tail back to wherever it had come from.

"What should we do?" Annie asked. "Do you think we're in danger? Do you have a plan?"

"Not yet. But here comes trouble. See that couple heading this way with a paper bag? What do you think the chances are of someone wanting to picnic in this exact spot where we are? Zip, that's what. Come on, we're outta here. There are devices on the market that can pick up conversations half a mile away. Farther, too, I'm told. Do not stare. Let's see where they settle, then we pack up and leave. Act like everything is fine. If either one of you knows a joke, this would be a good time to tell it so we can all laugh."

"We're under surveillance? I-do-not-like-that!" Annie hissed as she threw more crumbs toward the squirrel, which had emerged to test the waters a second time.

The women spoke softly about nothing as they watched the newcomers out of the corners of their eyes. All three women took note of the man's Brooks Brothers loafers, the woman's heels, and their business attire. There was no blanket being spread. A spur-of-the-moment picnic? A picnic on demand? Whatever was in the paper sack was staying in the paper sack.

"Time to go, ladies!" Maggie said cheerfully. All it took was five seconds to scoop up the food and utensils and jam them into the picnic basket. Myra grabbed the blanket and stuffed it under her arm. Three minutes later, they were in the car.

"Annie, if you drive straight, you can loop around and be on the other side of this lot, and we can see when the picnickers leave, which I'm a.s.suming will be within minutes. Can this baby burn rubber?"

"Watch, you silly girl!" Annie said, flooring the gas pedal. "And we have liftoff!" Annie squealed as she followed Maggie's directions.

"Mother of G.o.d, slow down, Annie. You just gave me whiplash! There it is, see the spot? Pull over and cut this engine. It sounds like it belongs to the Boeing Company."

"Everyone is a critic," Annie grumbled.

"Oh, dear Lord! There they go! Maggie, you were absolutely right! Are we in danger?" Myra dithered. "What should we do now?"

"Let's go to a hotel. At least we'll know it's not bugged. I'm going to call a...friend and see about getting my house swept for bugs. The paper and the phones, too. The only problem with that is, with all the high tech that is out there these days, the bugs will be back within hours. And it lets them know, whomever they are, that we are onto them," Maggie said.

"But it's been almost a year and a half since everyone split up. Why wait all that time to do...or implement whatever it is they plan on doing?" Myra said stubbornly.

"I don't know, Myra, but I do know this. I am going to e-mail Ted and Espinosa and tell them to hand in their resignations. We need them, and we need them now."

"Will they have to forfeit the monies Global paid them?" Myra asked.

"Probably. At this point I don't think either one of them will care. That's how much they both hate the job," Maggie said. "I don't know why I say this, but I think Ted is key to all of this. I also think he'll be on the next plane out of Rome if I tell him it's okay and that the paper needs them both."

"If he or Joseph needs any added incentives, tell them both I will make up the difference in money. I mean that, Maggie, and won't take no for an answer. You're right, we need Ted and Joseph. Can you text him now?" Annie asked.

"I'm doing it as we speak," Maggie shot back.

"Which hotel do you want me to head for, Maggie? For obvious reasons, I don't know much about Washington hotels. Now Vegas, that's a different story."

"Do you want a five-star hotel?" Maggie asked, her fingers busily texting Ted.

"Absolutely." Annie sniffed, as if she had been insulted by the question.

"Take your pick. There is the Mandarin Oriental, the Hay-Adams, the Ritz-Carlton, or the St. Regis. None of them made five stars this year. All were in the four point five range. We could go to the Park Hyatt. It came in at a full five stars. It's just a hop, skip, and a jump from Emba.s.sy Row and is in the West End of Georgetown, Twenty-fourth and M, Northwest. We can hang out in the Blue Duck Tavern. Good place to see who comes in who looks like they don't belong. And they have excellent security. Ted did an article on it last year, and Espinosa got some great pictures."

"Then the Park Hyatt it is," Annie said, leaning on the horn to get out from behind a PT Cruiser.

"Tell me, dear, how can you talk and text at the same time?" Myra asked. "What is Ted saying?"

"He's blessing you both up one side and down the other, and packing and texting at the same time. He's so good at mult.i.tasking. But to answer your question, Myra, it takes practice. He's telling me Espinosa is telling him the only available seats out of Rome on the next flight are first-cla.s.s. He wants to know if he should take them, as they are pretty pricey."

"Tell him yes," Annie said as she was forced to slow down to make a right-hand turn. "Tell him to take a car service from the airport when he gets in. The Post can afford it."

"Annie, Ted doesn't work for the paper anymore. He and Espinosa resigned. Did you forget that little fact?"

"There is that, but I never accepted his or Joseph's resignation. The two of them are still on the Post's payroll. Their checks are automatically deposited. I thought you knew that, Maggie."

Maggie stopped her furious texting long enough to lean forward. "Annie, that is too kind of you. No, I didn't know, and I'm sure Ted and Espinosa don't know, either."

"I opened separate accounts for them. I guess I forgot to mention it. I appreciate loyalty above all else, and Ted and Joseph have come through for us time and time again. Loyalty should always be rewarded. Look alive, ladies, we're here. Oh, my, all those snappy valet persons are arguing about who gets to park this fine vehicle."

A young man snapped to attention when Annie stepped out of the car. "Do not even breathe when you drive this car to its parking spot. I'll know if you do. Are we clear on that, young man?"

"Yes, ma'am," the young man said as he took a great gulp of air before sliding into the driver's seat. Annie handed over a fifty-dollar bill through the window.

"I'm going to register us. You two head for the Blue Duck Tavern and keep your eyes peeled. Order me a Slamming Sally. Do I have to be cost-conscious on the room rates?" Maggie asked.

"Not if you're booking a room for me. Of course not, Maggie. Just put it on the Post account. We have one here, don't we?"

"Actually, we don't, Annie."

"Well, then, open one."

"What do you think a Slamming Sally is, Annie?" Myra asked as they entered the dim Blue Duck Tavern, which even smelled like a tavern.

"Probably something that would knock us on our a.s.ses after the first drink. We need to dry out after last night, so we'll drink ginger ale. We'll ask for fancy gla.s.ses, and ginger ale looks enough like champagne to pa.s.s for it. We got it covered, Myra."

"I wasn't exactly planning on spending the night here, Annie. I have to call Charles and tell him where I am. Don't worry, I won't share any of the details. I wonder if he has any inkling of what Maggie is talking about," Myra whispered.

"Men stick together, you know that, Myra, just the way women stick together. I don't think you should say anything to him until we have something a little more concrete. I'm finding all of this...very perplexing. I didn't pick up a thing from Fish during our time together. But now when I think back...it explains an awful lot of things. Pillow talk was always uninformative, but I do know this-he thinks the sun rises and sets on Hank Jellicoe."

"Funny you should say that, Annie. Charles thinks the same way. Is this one of those 'birds of a feather stick together' kind of things? Or keep your friends close, your enemies closer?"

"Well, Ted and Joseph Espinosa subscribe to the latter theory. And they were in the trenches, so to speak. I just hate it when I don't know what's going on, Myra."

"I know, dear. I don't like it myself."

Maggie walked into the Blue Duck just as the waitress was setting down their drinks. She slid room keycards across the table. "We're all on the same floor in adjoining rooms."

The minute the waitress walked back to her station, Maggie said, "I made another reservation on my BlackBerry. A friend will be picking up the key any minute now. He'll slip it in an envelope and tell the concierge to hold it for me. No one will be the wiser. Did you see anything? Were all these people here when you got here? What are you drinking?" Maggie asked in a rush as she gulped at her Slamming Sally.

"Champagne," Myra said.

"Fibber. That's ginger ale."

Maggie nonchalantly looked around the bar as she sipped at her colorful drink. It was still early in the afternoon, too early for the c.o.c.ktail crowd; businessmen were still in their meetings while their wives, if they'd been considerate enough to bring them along, were either shopping or sightseeing, while the guests with children were sitting by the pool. "So, no one has come in since you arrived, right?"

"Six customers. The man at the bar looks like he's had one too many. If I were the bartender, I would have cut him off two drinks ago. The couple against the wall had a full-course luncheon and are about finished. The two girls opposite the bar could be hookers. I say could be, I'm no authority. The businesswoman in the blue suit has been on her laptop and hasn't looked up once. I think we're okay so far," Annie said.

"What do we hope to do in here?" Myra asked.

"Not much but drink. I want to see if anyone followed us. I know the two of you think I'm being paranoid, and I want to prove to you that I am not. Paranoid, that is. Unless someone planted a GPS tracker on your car while you were at the Post or when it was parked in the lot at the park, we should be in the clear. Now, if someone shows up who we think is questionable, we can be a.s.sured there is a GPS on the car," Maggie said, as she kept her eyes fixed on the door leading into the Blue Duck.

"What is our plan if someone does show up?" Annie asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Do we...ah...take him out? What?"

Maggie sucked the last of her Slamming Sally and held it up so the waitress could see she wanted a refill. "We play it by ear. We should ask for some munchies, peanuts, or some trail mix. I think better when I'm eating." Her drink arrived, and, without missing a beat, she continued to talk and suck through her straw at the same time.

Myra's stubbornness rose to the fore again when she said, "I'm sorry, girls, but I am just not getting any of this. It's been so long since our pardons, and so much time has pa.s.sed, that I'm having trouble believing any kind of...tomfoolery is afoot."

Annie's eyebrows shot upward as her eyes widened. "Did you really say tomfoolery is afoot? My G.o.d, Myra, do you realize how that dates you? That sounds like everyone is going to go dancing in the park in their undies. You need to get with the program here and try to look alive and stop fingering those d.a.m.n pearls. And who might that person be who just entered our domain here?"

Maggie raised her eyes from her drink to look at the man who walked over to the bar and ordered a beer. "Harmless. Not what we are looking for," she said around the straw that was still clutched between her teeth.

"What are we looking for, exactly?" Myra whispered.

"You'll know him or her when you see them. If you don't spot them, then you do not belong in this business," Maggie said, her gaze going to the door, where a tall man was standing. He removed his aviator gla.s.ses, rolled his neck like he was a tired businessman in want of something cool to drink.

"Bingo!" Annie chortled. "Mr. Cool himself. He's going to belly up to the bar and order a frosty one. Right, Maggie?"

"I knew that," Myra said, just as Maggie nodded in agreement.

Seven minutes later, a pert redhead in a dove gray pantsuit ambled in, stopped, looked around, then headed for the bar, where she sat down, two stools away from the guy with the aviator gla.s.ses.

"Part of the team," Myra said, before anyone could say anything. Maggie nodded again as she slurped the last of her drink. She held her gla.s.s aloft for the waitress to see that she needed another refill.

"Start jabbering, ladies. Babies are always a good topic of conversation. I have pictures of Little Jack I don't think you've seen. I think Lizzie has her camera on twenty-four seven, so she doesn't miss a thing. Little Jack is a cutie for sure." Maggie's voice dropped several octaves. "All we need is one more, and my suspicions become fact. The next one will be so ordinary most people wouldn't give him or her a second thought." Maggie's drink arrived as Myra and Annie managed to coo and giggle over the pictures of Little Jack, which wasn't all that hard to do even though they, too, were watching the doorway out of the corners of their eyes.

Seventeen minutes later, Maggie's fourth Slamming Sally arrived just as Myra and Annie finished speculating about Little Jack's bright blue eyes. The room darkened momentarily as a pudgy woman with three rolls of belly fat, wearing a tank top and carrying two shopping bags, huffed and puffed her way to a table near the far end of the bar. The three women smiled as one.

"Tissue paper in the shopping bags. She's just a watcher. She won't interact at all, unlike those two at the bar."