Sure she does, thought Fiske. Jordan pointed his drink toward an elderly man in a wheelchair and spoke softly. Kenneth Wilkinson unfortunately isnt long for this world. Hes a scrapper, though, and he might fool us all. But hes lived a long, inspiring life. My mentor and my friend. Im a better man for having known him.

Didnt he introduce you and your wife? Sara asked.

Thats another reason I owe him so much.

Fiske watched Elizabeth Knight methodically work the room, as polished and poised as any experienced politico. Fiske scanned the room again but didnt see any sign of Ramsey or Murphy. He wondered if they had boycotted the event. He did note several of the other justices looking nervous and uncomfortable. The fear that a madman wanted to mount your head in his trophy case could do that to you. His eyes passed over Richard Perkins hovering in the background. There were armed guards everywhere and Fiske knew the hot topic of the evening was the two murdered clerks. Fiskes eyes narrowed as he spied Warren McKenna knifing through the crowd like a shark looking for flesh to devour.

You two make a great team, Sara said. Jordan Knight touched his glass to hers. I think so too.

Your wife ever think about running for political office? Fiske asked.

John, shes a Supreme Court justice. Its a lifetime appointment, Sara exclaimed. Fiske kept his eyes on Jordan. Wouldnt be the first time someone left the Court in pursuit of another job, would it?

Jordan looked at him keenly. No, it wouldnt, John. As a matter of fact, over the years Beth and I have talked about that. Im not going to be in the Senate forever. Ive got a seven-thousand-acre ranch out in New Mexico. I can easily see myself running that until the end of my days.

And maybe your wife becomes the Virginia senator in the household?

I never presume to know what Beth will do. It actually adds a level of excitement to our marriage that I think is incredibly healthy. He smiled at his remark and Fiske felt himself smile in return. Sara was raising her glass as a thought hit her. Senator, can I use a phone?

Use the one in my study, Sara. Its more private.

She glanced at Fiske but said nothing. After she had gone, Jordan said, Shes quite a young woman.

I wouldnt disagree with that, Fiske said.

Since shes been clerking for Beth, Ive come to know her quite well. Ive been almost like a father figure, I guess you could say. She has a brilliant future ahead of her.

Well, shes got a great role model in your wife. Fiske almost choked on his drink as he said this.

The absolute best. Beth does nothing halfway.

Fiske thought about this remark for a moment. I know your wife is a real go-getter, but she might want to cut back on her schedule until the case is solved. You dont want to give some maniac a free shot.

Jordan studied Fiske over the rim of his glass for a moment. Do you really think the justices might be in danger?

Fiske didnt really think so, but he wasnt about to say that to Jordan. If he and Sara were wrong in their conclusions, he didnt want anyone letting down his guard.

Lets put it this way, Senator, if anything happens to your wife, no one will care what I think.

Jordans face slowly went pale. I see your point.

Fiske noticed a line forming to talk to the man. I wont take up any more of your time. Keep up the good work.

Thank you, John, I intend to.

Senator Knight started to receive the other guests. He neednt have bothered to work the room, Fiske thought. His wife had probably already hit all the important players. *����*����* In Jordan Knights study, Sara dialed home for messages. She had forgotten to check earlier, and she was desperately hoping to hear back from George Barker, the newspaper editor from Rufus Harmss hometown. Her hopes were rewarded when she heard the old mans deep voice on her answering machine. He sounded a little contrite, she thought. She snatched a piece of paper from the notebook on the desk and wrote the name down: Samuel Rider. George Barker had left only the mans name; apparently, after twenty-five years, that was all the information his files had contained. She had to find out Riders office address and telephone number right away. As she looked up, she saw the way to do it. The bookshelves on the far wall of the study held a set of current Martindale-Hubbells, the official directory of the legal profession, which purported to have the name, office address and phone number of virtually every attorney licensed to practice in the United States. It was divided by states and territories, and she decided to opt for the local jurisdictions first. As she looked through the index for the commonwealth of Virginia, her search was rewarded as she spotted the name Samuel Rider. Flipping to the page indicated, she found a brief bio of Rider. He had been in the JAG in the early seventies. That had to be the man. She dialed the phone number to his office, but received no answer. She dialed Information for his home phone number, but it was unlisted. She hung up, thoroughly frustrated. She had to talk to the man. She thought a moment. The timing would be very tight, so there was only one way to do it. A phone directory was on the desk and she used it to look up a number. It took only a few minutes to arrange things. She and Fiske had a couple of hours before they could leave. With any luck they would be back by early tomorrow morning. As Sara opened the door to the study, Elizabeth Knight was standing there.

Jordan told me you might be back here.

I had to make a phone call.

I see.

I guess Ill get back to the party.

Sara, I need to talk to you in private for a moment.

Elizabeth Knight motioned her back into the study and then closed the door behind them. The justice had on a simple white dress, minimal makeup and a tasteful sapphire necklace. The white dress made her skin seem even more pallid. However, she wore her hair down and the dark strands were striking against the white background. When she made the effort, Sara thought, Elizabeth Knight could be a very attractive woman. She apparently picked those moments with great care. At this moment, Elizabeth Knight looked very uncomfortable.

Is there something wrong? Sara asked.

I dislike delving into the personal lives of my clerks, Sara, I really do, but when it reflects on the image of the Court, then I feel that it is my duty to say something.

Im not sure I understand.

Knight collected her thoughts for a moment. Ever since the realization that she had, however unwittingly, condemned Steven Wright to death, her nerves had been in tatters. She felt like lashing out at someone, even if unfairly. It was not her habit to do such a thing, but the fact was shewasupset with Sara Evans. And she did care about her. Thus, the young woman was going to feel the justices wrath. Youre a very smart woman. A very attractive and smart young woman.

Im afraid I still dont

Knights tone changed. Im talking about you and John Fiske. Richard Perkins reported that he saw you and Fiske leaving your home together this morning.

Justice Knight, with all due respect, that is my personal business.

It is certainly more than your personal business, Sara, if it reflects negatively on the Court.

I dont see how that could possibly be the case.

Let me see if I can make it clearer for you. Do you think it would sully the Courts reputation if it became known that one of its clerks was sleeping with the brother of her slain colleague on the day after his murder was discovered?

I am not sleeping with him, Sara said forcefully.

That is quite beside the point. Public opinion is driven by perception rather than by fact, particularly in this town. If a newspaper reporter had seen you and Fiske leave your home this morning, what do you think the headline wouldve read? Even if it just recounted the actual facts of the reporters observations, what do you think would be the likely perception of the reading public? When Sara didnt answer, Knight continued. Right now we dont need any additional adverse complications, Sara. We have quite enough of them to deal with.