FIFTY-EIGHT

“What is it, Mary Anne?” Grace Woods said, her voice impatient, as Sung Kim approached Thomas Franklin’s housekeeper in the kitchen of the mansion. Grace stared at the wreath and tripod Sung Kim was carrying. “I really don’t have a moment to spare right now.”

Sung Kim smiled apologetically. “I know you don’t, but this wreath needs to go to Mr. Franklin’s study before he gets there with the prime minister.” She held the wreath up on its tripod so that Grace Woods could see the banner welcoming Nakamura. “Mr. Franklin’s going to be very angry if it’s not there when he comes in.”

Grace Woods frowned. “So why are you standing here showing it to me?”

“I need a favor, Mrs. Woods.” Sung Kim glanced downward toward the ID badge on her chest. “My badge won’t get me past the agents in Mr. Franklin’s study. They’ll call you to come and vouch for me. Since you’d have to go to the study anyway, I wonder if you’d take the wreath yourself.”

But Grace Woods’s frown only deepened. “Are you sure it has to go in there now? I’d like to help, but I’ve got a hundred things to do before they come in from the golf course.” She looked back in the direction of the kitchen. “For one thing, the president’s due any minute. And I still haven’t—”

“The president?” Sung Kim took a step toward Grace Woods. “What are you talking about? He’s not coming till …” She stopped as she realized what she was saying. “I mean I heard he might be here, but not until later tonight.”

Grace Woods stared at her, and Sung Kim tried to cover her mistake.

“I need this job, ma’am,” she said. Tears filled her eyes, tears she’d been trained to summon at will. “Mr. Franklin was real serious about getting this wreath here in time for his guest. It means a lot to me to keep him happy.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I just can’t take the time.”

Tears ran down Sung Kim’s cheeks.

Grace Woods shook her head, then reached out and took the wreath and tripod out of Sung Kim’s hands. “Stop crying, for heaven’s sake. I know what it’s like trying to keep him happy. I’ll take this down to the study right now, before the president gets here. I’ll set it up myself. I’ll make sure the prime minister can’t miss it.”