At Any Cost by Cara Ellison Page B

to find out where the warrant originated.”
    Lambert was the current director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Tom felt a little better about the situation—anyone who could demand an audience with the director on five minutes’ notice was good to have on the team.
    â€œI will see about getting your computer back, but that will depend on their evidence and what they are willing to let me know about their investigation.”
    â€œAre they coming here?”
    â€œNo. If that changes, I will let you know before they arrive.”
    â€œAre they going to arrest me?”
    â€œNot until after I meet with them, if at all.”
    â€œOh my God,” she murmured. Fresh tears spilled from her eyes. She looked desperately to Tom.
    â€œI doubt it, Fallon,” Max Hall replied. “It would be very unusual.”
    â€œIn the current administration, the vice president’s son was arrested for marijuana possession,” she said numbly. “It’s not as if having a dad in the White House can protect me from this administration’s Department of Justice.”
    â€œActually, Fallon, you’re wrong. Though I cannot speak for certain, I would bet if you were arrested and convicted of anything, your father would immediately pardon you. It would be a nonissue.”
    That was cold comfort, but Fallon didn’t reply.
    Max Hall excused himself.
    â€œI have no idea what to do,” Fallon said softly. “Should I go to the Blair House?”
    â€œI don’t know, ma’am.”
    â€œAre you ever going to stop calling me ma’am?”
    Tom smiled gently. “It’s the appropriate term during work hours.”
    Fallon perched a shapely buttock on a bar stool and looked mournfully into her drink. “Why are they dragging this up now? I’m not a drug dealer or user … I never even drink! Except now …”
    â€œI believe you,” Tom replied. And he did. Fallon was honest as bean stew. “Thank you,” she said.
    â€œI haven’t done anything.”
    â€œYou’re being very good to me.” Fallon took another gulp of her rummy coke. “Earlier and now.” He smiled gently at her.
    She got up to splash more rum into the soda. Because she looked genuinely lost and in need of direction, Tom stood up, gently took the bottle from her, and set it on the counter.
    â€œYou’ve had enough.”
    She looked up at him with wide, true-blue eyes framed in long, sooty black lashes. Her soft vulnerability made his heart constrict with empathy.
    â€œI’m just really upset,” she whispered.
    â€œI know. But you’ve had enough.”
    The glittery panic that had been lurking in her eyes softened. Fallon drew in an unsteady breath. “I keep thinking shock troops are going to bash down my door.”
    â€œThey’re not. Mr. Hall is meeting them now, remember?”
    â€œYes. But still.”
    â€œI tend to believe him,” Tom offered.
    She averted her eyes and listlessly began stacking a collection of exotic coins on her counter. Tom picked one up and studied it. An olive branch wreathed the words 20 Aenta. Greek drachmas.
    His heart sank. He was never going to be able to escape Greece.
    â€œI don’t want to stay here but I don’t want to leave, because I feel like I need to protect my belongings. The thought of the FBI storming in here, pawing through my private space makes me ill.”
    â€œIf the FBI showed up with a warrant, you couldn’t tell them what they can and can’t look at.”
    â€œI know. Strange to feel so helpless against this wall of government.” She actually smiled. “How ironic is that?”
    â€œPretty ironic,” Tom agreed.
    â€œMaybe I should go to the Blair House.” With just two weeks until inauguration day, the Hughes had moved from their suite of rooms at the Willard Hotel to the Blair House, officially as guests of President Ballard.