Free Death of an Intern by Keith M. Donaldson Page B

Gerty was heading left, so I took a different aisle.
    I immediately thought someone must have complained to her about my visit. Kat must have told Grayson about my impromptu visit into the work area.
    I did the ritual knock and entered. Lassiter was alone, but about to make a call. “Gerty slumming?” I asked facetiously.
    â€œWhite House crap,” Lassiter said disgustedly. “Keep outta Gerty's way, but stay on your story. What's up?”
    â€œA couple of things, there's—” I was interrupted by Mary's knock at the doorway.
    â€œExcuse me. I saw you headed this way.” She waggled a piece of paper in her hand. “Thought you'd want to see this.”
    I took the paper and Mary departed. I got the gist of it immediately. “What is this?”
    Lassiter, caught off guard, quipped, “The President's balanced the budget?”
    â€œHow can they do this?” My anxiety level spiked.
    â€œWhat, he closed down the Pentagon?” my editor quipped.
    I scrunched my face and handed her the paper. “The Secret Service is butting in.”
    Lassiter took the paper and began reading it.
    I went on, “This is a murder case in the District of Columbia. This is not some political pal caught with their fingers in the booty jar.”
    Then an idea hit me. I whirled and ran out of the office.
    â€œHey!” I heard Lassiter yell. “What were you going to tell me?”
    I would get back to her. I went to Mary's desk. “I need personal stuff on the Vice President and his sister, especially the sister.”
    â€œPlanning a Style piece?” Mary cajoled, referring to the puff personality pieces in the paper's daily Style section.
    I gave her a derisive look. “Hardly. I need background. I'm on my way to see Captain Walsh.”
    I needed a snack and fetched a small bag of potato chips from my desk, and then headed for the elevator.

S ecret Service Agent Donna Talbot had remained with Frankie Grayson after Kat left them. Talbot worked on the Vice President's detail, but she also acted as liaison between the overall office and the Service. And in doing the latter, she mostly worked with Frankie Grayson who was in on all decision-making sessions for her brother and the office.
    Donna had a great admiration for the Vice President and felt it a privilege to serve him. She and Frankie had a good working relationship. Right after the newspaper reporter's unappreciated visit, Grayson had called Press Aide Judith Fisher to have her complain to Gertrude Lane about a beat reporter from the Star finagling her way into the office.
    Grayson knew Lane would jump all over the opportunity to flaunt her so-called importance and to muzzle a lesser reporter at her paper. However, after Kat's message, Grayson had told Talbot, “I think we should make a formal complaint in writing.”
    â€œIt wouldn't hurt,” Talbot had replied, “but I'd be careful about making too big a thing out of it. It might raise more questions than it would quell.”
    â€œI'll pass it by Rick.”
    The Grayson twin picked up the phone. She could see her brother whenever, but she was also aware of protocol. It was something for which the whole office admired her.
    â€œRochelle, may I pop in?” Frankie waited. “Thanks. I'll be right there.” She hung up. “He's between meetings. Walk with me. Check this Wolfe out. See what you can dig up on her. Her husband is a friend of Ralph Morgan's. His attorney, I believe. That's how she got into the reception. Check him out too.”
    â€œWill do.”
    Talbot and Grayson separated as they reached the Vice President's office.

    Rochelle Brand was at her desk outside the VP suite when Frankie Grayson entered. “Okay to go in?”
    â€œHe's expecting you,” Brand said, giving Frankie a smile.
    â€œHi. What's up?” Rick Grayson greeted his sister.
    â€œWe had a visit to the office from a Washington Daily Star beat