The Pearl Diver by Sujata Massey Page A

you have to worry about that. The guys were definitely focused on me . I had no money or ATM card. It wasn’t a matter of wanting money.”
    “Do you think they were planning to rape you?”
    Kendall pondered that for a minute. “I was scared, but I wasn’t thinking about rape.”
    “So you don’t think they wanted money or sex. What’s left?” I asked dryly.
    “It could be related to the campaign. I’m sure word spread over the last couple of days that I was going to work for Harp. I don’t like to toot my own horn but”—she paused to drop her eyes modestly—“I’m pretty effective. If I and some other fund-raisers across the country can bundle enough of our friends’ money together, he’ll snag the Democratic convention. Everyone knows it. And this is a town where political rivals do commit crimes. Remember Watergate?”
    “We were tiny babies then, Kendall. We can’t remember Watergate. But if you really believe this theory, why did you write in your press release that you didn’t believe your abduction was done for political reasons?”
    “Subliminal persuasion,” Kendall said. “I learned about it in a class on advertising rhetoric at UVA.”
    “That’s what I was afraid of.”
    “It’s a dog-eat-dog world in politics,” Kendall said, looking at me. “Believe me, Rei, I know what some of these people are like.”
    “Win must be relieved that you’re safe and sound,” I said. “I’m sure he feels that’s all that matters—”
    “Yes, he’s been very sweet. And, this morning before he went out, he told me that he was going to support Harp’s campaign, since that was what I really wanted. He’s a little tight on his own cash, so we’re going to tap into Grand’s trust to do it.”
    “Really,” I said. Writing a check wasn’t any proof to me that Win Johnson was a good husband. “I heard that the doctor saw old bruises on your body.”
    “What are you talking about?” Kendall sounded irritated.
    “Bruises on your legs.”
    “Oh, that’s probably from where Win kicked me.”
    “Kendall!” I sucked in my breath.
    “Win Junior!” Kendall clarified. “Babies kick moms. Win hates having his diaper changed, so he kicks me when he gets the chance. Now, if you’re so interested in what’s going on with me, will you stay and help me troubleshoot the press?”
    “Martina asked me already. I’m coming back at four.”
    “Great. And I have a favor to ask. How would you like to sleep over? Win’s probably going to be out late again, and I’m just a little—nervous.”
    “Of course,” I said. “You can count on me.”

8
    A night with Kendall and the kids. I had no idea what to expect. What I got was a TV marathon. As the children threw toys around the family room, Kendall ran around the house, double-checking that all the news shows were being recorded. She was working four different TV sets located in the master bedroom, the family room, the au pair’s bedroom, and her own study. Hugh liked electronics, but nothing as extreme as this, I thought as I went upstairs to the au pair’s bedroom, where I was supposed to record any mention of Kendall on the NBC affiliate. Saturday was usually a slow news day in Washington, and the airwaves had been full of Kendall during the supper news hour. Now it was eleven, and I was practically falling asleep, given my insomnia the night before, but I was duty bound to catch everything that Kendall said. She had been cleverly circumspect, volunteering none of the suspicions about the possible involvement of political rivals. Of course, because some of the press had read the release before Burns seized it, they asked her about political rivals of Harp Snowden, which was what she’d intended all along.
    “I don’t know, honestly,” Kendall said for the cameras. “I don’t know who took me, or the motive. The men never sought moneyfrom me and they did not harm me physically, except for my being tied.” Here, the cameras flashed on