Mockingbird contemplates the misery of her life as First Lady: “She hated the emotional cage, the brittle charade. Her romance with Keith was the only unscripted part of her life, and she felt grateful that he was reckless enough to fall for her” (197). The President has asked her a favor: He wants his wife to schedule a photo session with the Potussies because they are such large contributors to his campaign fund.

During the photo shoot, Fay Alex complains to Mockingbird that the security detail assigned to protect the Potussies after Kiki’s death has been withdrawn. She asks the First Lady to use her influence, hinting that she knows about her affair with Keith. That evening, Keith tells Mockingbird that he’s being reassigned to Washington. The Secret Service is trying to break up the couple. She insists that she will find a way to keep them together.

Elsewhere, Joel arranges to meet Angie for lunch. He tells her that his new girlfriend is getting threatening phone calls from Pruitt. Enraged, Angie tells her stepson that she will handle the poacher. Although their affair seems to be over, Angie goes to see Ryskamp to ask him to find Pruitt’s current address.