Free Pandora's Box by K C Blake Page B

had nothing but the utmost respect for your father.   Why?   Did he say something different?”
    “No, sir.   I was just wondering why you stopped visiting our house.”   He shrugged without comment and she changed the subject.   “I appreciate you taking the time to see me, sir.   I know how busy you are.”
    She crossed a leg over her knee and settled back in the cushioned chair.   She observed the president’s body language and facial expression while trying to figure out if she knew this man at all.   She shook her head to clear it.   The president didn’t have loads of free time.   She needed to get to the point of her visit.
    “I need a favor.”
    “Anything,” President Law said without hesitation.
    “Could you please tell your son to stop tailing me?”
    “Pardon?”   The president glanced up from the mountain of work.   “What do you mean by tailing you?   Is this some new sort of hip lingo the younger generation is using?”
    “No, sir.”   She leaned forward in the chair.   “ Tyler has been following me relentlessly.   He’s appointed himself my personal shadow.   I’m not sure why.   I only know I want it to stop.”
    “I can’t imagine why he would follow you.”   The president’s throat emitted a strangled laugh.   “I shall have a talk with him at once.”   Malcom Law leaned back in his chair and removed his glasses.   He stared off into space for a moment.   “I knew it was a mistake, allowing Tyler to play detective.   He should return to the Navy and resume his own life.”
    Madison didn’t say anything to that because she had the feeling the president wasn’t exactly speaking to her.   He seemed to be thinking out loud.   In fact, she started to think he might have forgotten she was even there.   But then he looked straight at her and smiled as he replaced the glasses on the bridge of his nose.
    “Anything else, Madison ?”
    “Well, actually I was wondering when I might return to work.   I mean, the vice-president and the director of the CIA made it sound like I was under investigation and wouldn’t be allowed to return anytime soon, but since you don’t believe my father actually tried to kill you…when can I come back?”
    He set his papers aside and met her gaze straight on.   His lips parted.
    The door opened, slamming against the interior wall, and the first lady swept into the room.   Vivian Law wore a cream-colored tailor-made suit.   Her dark hair had been groomed expertly, no doubt by a third party whose hands didn’t shake.   Vivian held a Martini in her hand, as usual, two olives.  
    Madison stood.   If the first lady was going to make a scene, Madison preferred to leave her conversation with the president for another time.  
    “Oh dear, did I interrupt an important meeting?”   Vivian placed an arm around Madison ’s shoulders.   “I am so sorry about your father, darling.   He was a wonderful man.   The only thing he did wrong was to fail in his assassination attempt.”
    “Vivian!”   President Law leaped from his chair and circled the desk faster than Madison would expect a man of his size and age to move.   “You’re making an ass out of yourself... again”
    “Ass?”   She giggled at the word and her glass tipped.   The clear liquid came close to splashing over the side.   The first lady glared at Madison .   “I’ve seen the way you look at my husband.”
    Madison ’s eyes widened.   Was the first lady actually accusing her of wanting Malcom Law in a sexual way?   The thought sickened Madison .   Not only had he been a friend of her father’s, but she’d known him since she was born.
    The first lady added, “The obvious admiration and respect you have for him makes me sick. Wake up and smell the coffee before it’s too late for you.”
    Okay, she wasn’t being accused of being in love with him.   That made Madison relax a little, but she was puzzled over what the first lady meant.   Why