“Or other court personnel.”
“What do you mean?”
“You might be in danger too, Richard.”
Perkins looked astonished. “Me?”
“You’re the head of security. If this person wants to show that he can pick people off at will, then he’s flouting the security of the Court. He’s flouting you.”
Perkins seemed to consider this. “So you think the deaths are definitely connected?”
“If they’re not, it’s one helluva coincidence. Frankly, I don’t believe in coincidences that big.”
“And Chandler too?”
“Maybe. I’m sure he’ll keep you informed.”
As Perkins walked off, Elizabeth Knight powered by. It was as though the crowd automatically parted for her.
A hand pressed against his shoulder. “Meet me outside the building in ten minutes.” It was Sara’s voice, but by the time Fiske turned around he could only see her disappearing into the crowd.
Visibly frustrated, he looked around and picked up on Elizabeth Knight’s movements again. She probably forgot Kenneth Wilkinson was even here, he thought. At his own party too. He was thus very surprised when Elizabeth went over to Wilkinson and spoke with him briefly. He watched as she wheeled him out onto the lighted and empty terrace, where he could see her kneeling beside the wheelchair, holding one of Wilkinson’s hands and talking to him.
Fiske mingled a bit more and then couldn’t keep himself from heading out to the terrace. Elizabeth Knight looked up and then quickly rose from her kneeling position.
“I’m sorry for interrupting, but I have to leave and I wanted to say hello to Judge Wilkinson.”
Knight stepped back and Fiske went forward and introduced himself. He shook Kenneth Wilkinson’s hand and passed along his congratulations for the elderly man’s long career in public service. As he started back into the room, Knight stopped him.
“I assume you’re leaving with Sara.”
“Is that a problem?”
“I guess that’s up to you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Sara has a wonderful future ahead of her. But little things can sometimes disrupt careers with great potential.”
“You know, Justice Knight, I think you have a real problem with me, and I’m not sure why.”
“I don’t know you, Mr. Fiske. If you’re anything like your brother, then maybe I don’t have a big problem.”
“I’m not like anybody else. I try not to compare people or make nice, neat assumptions. They seldom prove true.”
Knight appeared taken aback by this but said, “I actually agree with you.”
“I’m glad we could agree on something.”
“However, I do know Sara, and I care about her very much. If certain actions you take reflect negatively on her and thus on the Court, then you’re right, I do have a problem with that.”
“Look, all I’m concerned about is finding out who killed my brother.”
She looked at him keenly. “Are you sure that’s all?”
“If I weren’t sure, well, you know what, it’s a free country.” Fiske thought he saw an amused expression pass across her face.
She crossed her arms. “You don’t seem the least bit intimidated by a Supreme Court Justice, Mr. Fiske.”
“If you knew something about me, you’d understand why.”
“Perhaps I should make a point of finding out about you. Perhaps I already have.”
“I guess that can be a two-way street.”
Knight’s expression turned dark. “Confidence is one thing, Mr. Fiske, disrespect is quite another.”
“I’ve found that also to be a two-way street.”
“I hope you appreciate my concerns for Sara. They are genuine.”
“I’m sure they are.”
She started to turn away and then looked back at him. “Your brother was a very special person. Highly intelligent, the consummate legal analyst.”
“He was one of a kind.”
“With that said, I’m not sure he was the most able lawyer in his family.”
Knight walked away, leaving a surprised Fiske behind. He stood there for a minute trying to analyze her words. Then he left the terrace and made his way down in the elevator to the lobby. He looked around but didn’t see Sara. A horn beeped and he saw her car ease up to the front door. He climbed in and looked over at her. “Where are we going?”
“To the airport.”