Read Raise the Titanic! for Free Online Page B

it. Have fun.”
    Seagram was just hanging up when Dana came out of the living room. She read the thoughtful expression on his face. “Bad news?”
    â€œI’m not sure yet.”
    She kissed him on the cheek. “A shame we can’t live like normal people so you could confide your problems to me.”
    He squeezed her hand. “If only I could.”
    â€œGovernment secrets. What a colossal bore.” She smiled slyly. “Well?”
    â€œWell, what?”
    â€œAren’t you going to be a gentleman?”
    â€œI’m sorry, I forgot.” He pulled her stole from the closet and slipped it over her shoulders. “A bad habit of mine, ignoring my wife.”
    Her lips spread in a playful grin. “For that, you will be shot at dawn.”
    Christ, he thought miserably, a firing squad might not be too farfetched at that, if Koplin screwed up at Novaya Zemlya.

6
    The Seagrams settled behind the crowd gathered at the entrance to the East Room and waited their turn in the receiving line. Dana had been in the White House before, but she was still impressed by it.
    The President was standing smartly and devilishly handsome. He was in his early fifties and was definitely a very sexy man. The latter was supported by the fact that standing next to him, greeting every guest with the fervor of discovering a rich relative, was Ashley Fleming, Washington’s most elegant and sophisticated divorcée.
    â€œOh shit!” Dana gasped.
    Seagram frowned at her irritably. “Now what’s your problem?”
    â€œThe broad standing beside the President.”
    â€œThat happens to be Ashley Fleming.”
    â€œI know that,” Dana whispered, trying to hide behind Seagram’s reassuring bulk. “Look at her gown.”
    Seagram didn’t get it at first, and then it hit him, and it was all he could do to suppress a boisterous laugh. “By God, you’re both wearing the same dress!”
    â€œIt’s not funny,” she said grimly.
    â€œWhere did you get yours?”
    â€œI borrowed it from Annette Johns.”
    â€œThat lesbian model across the street?”
    â€œIt was given to her by Claude d’Orsini, the fashion designer.”
    Seagram took her by the hand. “If nothing else, it only goes to prove what good taste my wife has.”
    Before she could reply, the line joggled forward and they suddenly found themselves standing awkwardly in front of the President.
    â€œGene, how nice to see you.” The President smiled politely.
    â€œThank you for inviting us, Mr. President. You know my wife, Dana.”
    The President studied her, his eyes lingering on her cleavage. “Of course. Charming, absolutely charming.” Then he leaned over and whispered in her ear.
    Dana’s eyes went wide and she flushed scarlet.
    The President straightened and said, “May I introduce my lovely hostess, Miss Ashley Fleming. Ashley, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Seagram.”
    â€œIt’s a great pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Fleming,” Seagram murmured.
    He might as well have been talking to a tree. Ashley Fleming’s eyes were cutting apart Dana’s dress.
    â€œIt seems apparent, Mrs. Seagram,” Ashley said sweetly, “one of us will be searching for a new dress designer first thing in the morning.”
    â€œOh, I couldn’t switch,” Dana replied innocently. “I’ve been going to Jacques Pinneigh since I was a little girl.”
    Ashley Fleming’s penciled brows raised questioningly. “Jacques Pinneigh? I’ve never heard of him.”
    â€œHe’s more widely known as JCPenney,” Dana smiled sweetly. “His downtown store is having a clearance sale next month. Wouldn’t it be fun if we shopped together? That way we wouldn’t wind up as look-alikes.”
    Ashley Fleming’s face froze in a mask of indignation as the President went into a coughing spasm. Seagram nodded weakly,