Dark Rivers of the Heart

circumstances, related to the threat against the President, that would require Steven Ackblom's removal from this facility," she said crisply. Though she had returned to the formidable leather chair, she no longer relaxed in it but sat forward on the edge, arms on her crescent desk. Her manicured hands were alternately fisted on her blotter or busy with various pieces of Lalique crystal-small animals, colorful fishes-that were arranged to one side of her blotter.
        "He's an extremely dangerous individual, an arrogant and utterly selfish man who would never cooperate with you even if there was something he could do to help you find his son-though I can't imagine what that would be."
        As pleasant as he ever was, Roy said, "Dr. Palma, with all due respect, it isn't for you to imagine or be told how he could help us or how we expect to win his cooperation. This is an urgent matter of national security.
        I am not permitted to share any details with you, regardless of how much I might want to."
        "This man is evil, Mr. Cotter."
        "Yes, I'm aware of his history."
        "You aren't understanding me-" Roy gently interrupted, pointing to one of the documents on her desk.
        "You have read the judicial order, signed by a justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, conveying Steven Ackblom into my temporary custody."
        "Yes, but-"
        "I assume that when you left the room to make telephone calls, one of them was to confirm that signature?"
        "Yes, and it's legitimate. He was still in his office, and he confirmed it personally."
        In fact, it was a real signature. That particular justice lived in the agency's pocket.
        Sabrina Palma was not satisfied. "But what does your judge know about evil like this? What experience does he have with this particular man?"
        Pointing to another document on the desk, Roy said, "And may I assume that you've confirmed the genuineness of the letter from my boss, the secretary of the Treasury? You called Washington?"
        "I didn't speak with him, no, of course not."
        "He's a busy man. But there must have been an assistant..
        "Yes," the doctor admitted grudgingly. "I spoke with one of his assistants, who verified the request."
        The signature of the secretary of the Treasury had been forged.
        The assistant, one of a swarm of minions, was an agency sympathizer.
        He was no doubt still standing by in the secretary's office, after hours, to field another call on the private number that Roy had given to Sabrina Palma, just in case she called again.
        Pointing to a third document on her desk, Roy said, "And this request from the first deputy attorney general?"
        "Yes, I called him."
        "I understand you've actually met Mr. Summerton."
        "Yes, at a conference on the insanity plea and its effect on the health of the judicial system. About six months ago."
        "I trust Mr. Summerton was persuasive."
        "Quite. Look, Mr. Cotter, I have a call in to the governor's office, and if we can just wait until-"
        "I'm afraid we've no time to wait. As I've told you, the life of the President of the United States is at stake."
        "This is a prisoner of exceptional-"
        "Dr. Palma," Roy said. His voice now had a steely edge, though he continued to smile. "You do not have to worry about losing your golden goose. I swear to you that he will be back in your care within twenty-four hours."
        Her green eyes fixed him with an angry stare, but she did not respond.
        "I hadn't heard that Steven Ackblom has continued to paint since his incarceration," Roy said.
        Dr. Palma's gaze flicked to the two men at the door, who were in convincingly rigid Secret Service postures, then returned to Roy. "He produces a little work, yes. Not much. Two or three pieces a year."
        "Worth millions at the current rate."
        "There is nothing unethical going on here, Mr. Cotter."
        "I didn't imagine there was," Roy said innocently.
        "Of his own free will, without coercion of any sort, Mr. Ackblom assigns all rights to each of his new paintings to this institution-after he tires of it hanging in his cell. The proceeds from their sale are used entirely to supplement the funds that are budgeted to us by the State of Colorado. And these days, in this economy, the state generally underfunds prison operations of all kinds, as if