The question was who was doing the using? Karp, the President – or Becky? Given Alta’s zealous devotion to the First Lady, it struck him as highly improbable the woman would have warned him against any plan on Becky’s part. That left the other two, or someone connected to the White House whose presence he had yet to detect. Powers carried his clothes into the darkened living room and dressed quietly. He had to stop these foolish interruptions and find Julie Marei, if he was going to learn what was going on. Assuming she was in condition to help and willing, only then could he figure out a way to survive. It was drizzling steadily and once outside he wished he'd thought to take one of the umbrellas from beside the front door of the brownstone. Instead he pulled the collar of his coat tight about his neck and ducked his head as he hurried to the taxi stand. The Burnside Apartments appeared shut down for the night as he'd hoped.
