KC and Marshall left the Star offices and headed back to the White House.
“That was a waste of time,” Marshall said. “We didn’t learn anything.”
“Yes, we did,” KC said. “We know how Darla Darling gets her information.”
“But we don’t know who’s calling her,” said Marshall.
“Right, but we do know it’s someone with a scratchy voice,” said KC.
“How does that help?” Marshall asked. “On TV, spies always try to disguise their voice. This guy probably sounded that way on purpose.”
“Okay, you’re right,” KC said. “But we do know something else. The caller has to be someone close to the president.”
“Hey, wait a minute!” Marshall cried. “How about Arnold? He’s always standing outside the president’s door! And he’s got a cold, so his voice is hoarse!”
“Arnold?” KC stopped walking. “Yeah, he could have overheard Mom and the president talking! But why would he tell Darla Darling?”
“For money!” Marshall said. “Maybe she pays him for information.”
“But she told us she doesn’t know who the caller is,” KC said. “How could she pay him?”
Marshall thought for a minute. “Maybe Arnold tells her where to leave the money, then he goes and gets it later. Darla wouldn’t have to know who she was leaving the money for.”
The kids kept walking. Soon they were at the White House. They walked to the rear parking lot. The private entrance was near some hedges.
“Look, there’s the vice president,” KC said to Marshall. “What’s she doing?”
They watched Vice President Kincaid. She had her hand cupped over her mouth and was speaking into a cell phone. She kept glancing around, as if she didn’t want to be overheard. KC tried to eavesdrop, but she was too far away.
The vice president snapped her phone shut, crossed the lot, and disappeared into the White House.
KC stared at the spot where the vice president had been standing. “You know, Arnold isn’t the only one who’s always near the president’s door,” she said after a minute. “The vice president walks in and out all the time.”
“Ms. Kincaid? Why would she spy on the president?” Marshall asked. “I don’t think she needs the money.”
“I don’t know, but Mom showed her the dress a few days ago,” KC said. “And the president must have told her where they were going on their honeymoon. Let’s keep an eye on her.”
The kids entered the White House through the private door. Arnold was stationed outside the president’s private rooms.
He sneezed and blew his nose. “Hi, kids,” he said.
“How’s your cold?” KC asked.
Arnold grinned and stuffed his handkerchief into a pocket. “I think it’s getting better,” he said.
KC listened to his raspy voice. “Do you know anyone named Darla?” she asked.
“I don’t think so. I know a Dora and a Denise, and my sister’s name is Debi,” he said. “But no Darlas.”
He took out a box of lozenges and put one on his tongue. “Want one?” he asked. “They’re cough drops, but they taste pretty good. They’re called Minti-Meds. I take ’em for my sore throat.” Arnold held out the box as he opened the door.
“No thanks,” KC said.
When KC and Marshall walked into the president’s rooms, they got a shock. KC’s mom was crying. The president stood next to her, holding a newspaper.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” KC asked. She hurried over to her
The president held out the paper so KC and Marshall could see Darla Darlings column. The headline was at least five inches tall. It said:
PRESIDENT MAY
CANCEL WEDDING!
Someone is spying on us!” Lois said, wiping her eyes. “They’re hearing our private conversations.”
“This has gotten serious,” the president said. “No one but us was part of that conversation.” He dropped into a chair. “I can’t believe someone on my staff is a spy, but if I have to, I’ll fire everyone.”
“Um, Marsh and I have an idea who it might be,” KC said. She told her mother and the president what Darla Darling had said about her secret caller
“Someone is giving Darla information over the phone?” Lois said.
“Someone with a scratchy voice!” Marshall went on.
“Yeah, and guess who has a cold?” KC whispered. She pointed to the door through which they’d walked. “Arnold!”
Four pairs of eyes looked at the door.
“Arnold?” the president said. “Well, he is always just outside that door, so he could have overheard, I suppose.”
“Someone else knows all your secrets,” KC said.
“I’m not sure I want to hear this,” the president said. “Okay, who?”
“The vice president,” KC whispered.