Desperate Measures

3

Mrs. Page opened the door the moment Pittman knocked on it. Her designer dress was wrinkled and looked out of place in a motel early in the morning. Otherwise, she appeared alert and determined, her skin-tucked face severe with intensity. “Did you watch the morning news?”

“About Standish’s suicide?” Pittman nodded.

“He was always the weakest of the five. My father was the strongest. We have to keep putting pressure on him.”

“This morning, I started again.”

“How?” Mrs. Page asked quickly.

Pittman explained.

“Be careful. My father is a master of manipulation.”

“And arrogant about it. I’m counting on that,” Pittman said. “I’m hoping that it’s inconceivable to him that someone could outmanipulate him.”

“But can you? You’re taking a tremendous risk.”

“If I could think of another way, I’d do it. We can’t just hide. We have to keep pushing them. We have to go back to Washington. I’ve got several stops to make. In particular, I need to see two other people I once interviewed.”

“Who?”

“A security expert and a weapons specialist. I’ll explain as we drive.”

“But what if they remember you?” Mrs. Page asked. “If they connect you with the newspaper stories and television reports…”

“I interviewed them at least five years ago. I was heavier. I had a mustache. There’s a good chance they won’t recognize me. But even if the risk was greater, I’d still have to take it. I can’t make this plan work without their help.”

As they spoke, Pittman walked to the next door and knocked on it. When George came out, they went down concrete steps to where Jill was waiting at the car.

“Give me your room keys. I’ll leave them at the desk and check everybody out,” George said.

“Fine. We’ll meet you at the restaurant down the street,” Jill said.

“Restaurant?” Mrs. Page looked horrified. “That’s not a restaurant.”

“Okay, it’s a Roy Rogers. Think of it as a broadening experience. We’re so pressed for time, we’ll have to eat takeout as we drive.”

“Time. Yes. We have to make time for something else,” Mrs. Page insisted. “We have to see about Bradford. We have to go to the hospital.”