The President's Daughter - Mariah Stewart [13]
“I thought she’d be helpful in setting the stage. The social stage, that is.”
“She will be, I’m sure. Now, I think she’s living out in—”
“Already found her, thanks. And I have calls in to Congressman Hayward and the former First Lady, as well as Sarah Decker, the former First Daughter.”
“Well then, it sounds as if you’re off to a fine start.”
“I am, thank you.”
“If you need my help don’t hesitate to call me.”
“I don’t expect to.” Recalling his manners, Simon added, “But appreciate the offer.”
“Well then, keep in touch.”
“Will do.” Simon hung up the phone.
He’d no sooner put the phone on the table when it rang again.
“Mr. Keller? Sarah Decker returning your call.”
“Yes, of course. Mrs. Decker, thank you for calling back so promptly.”
“I understand that you’re doing a book about my father.”
“Yes, I . . . Excuse me, how did you know that?”
“My mother mentioned it. I believe she spoke with Philip Norton over the weekend—”
“Oh?” Simon frowned, vaguely annoyed by this news.
“Mother said that you’d probably be calling to set up an appointment to chat.”
“Yes. I was hoping to schedule some time to spend with you, at your convenience, of course.”
“I know that everyone in the family is excited about your book, so I certainly want to cooperate. Did you have any particular date in mind?”
Simon heard what sounded like pages turning softly in the background.
“The earliest date that you are available would be fine. Whatever works best for you.”
“In that case, how does next Tuesday look?”
“Next Tuesday is fine.” Simon didn’t have to check his appointment book. Even if he had scheduled something previously, he’d have broken it to meet with Sarah Decker.
“Is one-thirty good?”
“Perfect.”
“Great. You have our address?”
“I do.” He read it off to her from a slip of paper he’d tucked into his shirt pocket after he’d placed the call to her earlier in the day.
“I’ll look for you on Tuesday afternoon,” she told him. “Now, don’t hesitate to call if something comes up.”
“Nothing will come up,” he assured her.
Nothing was going to come up that would prevent his interview with Sarah Decker, former First Daughter and sister to the man who would be president. Simon would be there, come hell or high water. She could bank on that.
Simon was wondering how one might put a fresh spin on this well-known family as he drove the Mustang to Annapolis, then parked in front of the home of Sarah Decker and her husband, Rear Adm. Julian Decker. The newly retired Rear Admiral, Simon reminded himself as he followed the cobbled path to the front door of the handsome stone colonial home that sat on an impeccably landscaped lot.
The door opened before he even lifted a hand to knock.
“Mr. Keller?” Sarah Hayward Decker stood in the doorway, as perfect a creature as Simon had ever seen.
“Yes.” Simon nodded and smiled almost involuntarily. Clearly, photographs of the former First Daughter did not do justice to her delicate beauty. Pale blond hair to her shoulders, eyes of palest gray-blue, Sarah, in her mid-forties, could have been mistaken for a woman ten years younger.
“You’re right on time.” She smiled pleasantly and gestured him to enter. “I appreciate that.”
“Thank you,” Simon said as he passed her and stepped into the foyer.
“Your coat?” She reached a hand for his topcoat, and Simon tried not to appear as awkward as he suddenly felt as he juggled his briefcase and attempted to remove his coat.
“Thank you.”
“How about if I take that?” A still-smiling Sarah reached for the briefcase just as Simon managed to slip off the camel overcoat he’d bought the week before.
Instead of the briefcase, Simon handed her the coat, and said, “Thank you,” for the third time in almost as many seconds.
Simon mentally kicked himself for sounding like an idiot.
“Come on in through here,” Sarah was saying as she led Simon down the hall to the back of the house. “I thought we’d sit in the sunroom to chat. It’s such a lovely afternoon, so cheery and bright. I’ve been dying for some