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For
most
people.”
    “I don’t like you coming here, Thornhill.”
    “I’m courteous enough to use your given name. I’d appreciate reciprocity on that point. A small thing, to be sure, but at least I’m not demanding that you address me as
Mister
Thornhill. That’s the norm between master and servant, isn’t it, Danny? You see, I’m not so bad to work for.”
    The man’s smug look was designed, Buchanan knew, to drive him to such distraction that he couldn’t think clearly. Instead he leaned back in his chair and settled his hands across his middle.
    “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit,
Bob
?”
    “Your meeting with Senator Milstead.”
    “I could easily have met him in town. I’m not sure why you insisted that I go to Pennsylvania.”
    “But this way you get one more opportunity to make your pitch for all those starving masses. You see, I do have a heart.”
    “Does it even make a dent in whatever you call a conscience that you’re using the plight of millions of men, women and children who consider it a miracle to see the sun rise, to further your own selfish agenda?”
    “I’m not paid to have a conscience. I’m paid to protect the interests of this country.
Your
interests. Besides, if having a conscience were the criteria, there would be no one left in this town. In fact, I applaud your efforts. I have nothing against the poor and helpless. Good for you, Danny!”
    “Sorry if I don’t buy that.”
    Thornhill smiled. “Every country in the world has people like me. That is, they do if they’re smart. We get the results everybody wants, because most ‘everybody’ lacks the courage to do it himself.”
    “So you play God? Interesting line of work.”
    “God is conceptual. I deal in facts. Speaking of which, you powered your agenda by illegal means; who are you to deny me the same right?”
    In truth, Buchanan had no response to this statement. And Thornhill’s intractably calm demeanor only reinforced the helplessness he felt.
    “Any questions about the meeting with Milstead?” Thornhill asked.
    “You have enough on Harvey Milstead to put him away for three lives. What are you really after?”
    Thornhill chuckled. “I hope you’re not accusing me of having a hidden agenda.”
    “You can tell me, Bob, we’re partners.”
    “Maybe it’s as simple as wanting you to jump when I snap my fingers.”
    “Fine, but a year from now, if you pop up like this, you may not leave under your own power.”
    “Threats from a solitary lobbyist to
me
.” Thornhill sighed. “But not so solitary. You have an army of one. How is Faith? Doing well?”
    “Faith is not a part of this. Faith will never be a part of this.”
    Thornhill nodded. “You’re the only one in the crosshairs. You and your fine group of felonious politicians. America’s best and brightest.”
    Buchanan stared coldly at his antagonist and said nothing.
    “Things are coming to a head, Danny. The show will be coming to a close soon. I hope you’re ready to exit cleanly.”
    “When I leave, my trail will be so clean, not even your spy satellites will be able to pick it up.”
    “Confidence is inspiring. Yet so often misplaced.”
    “Is that all you wanted to tell me? Be prepared to escape? I’ve been ready to do that since the first minute I met you.”
    Thornhill stood. “You focus on Senator Milstead. Get us some good, juicy stuff. Get him to talk about the income he’ll have when he retires, the nominal tasks he’ll have to perform as window dressing. The more specific, the better.”
    “It heartens me to see you enjoying this so much. Probably a lot more fun than the Bay of Pigs.”
    “Before my time.”
    “Well, I’m sure you’ve made your mark in other ways.”
    Thornhill bristled for a moment and then his calm returned. “You’d make a fine poker player, Danny. But try to remember that a bluff when one is holding nothing of value is still a bluff.” Thornhill put on his trench coat. “Don’t trouble