Pittsburgh, Allegheny General Hospital.
Sarah sat in a chair beside the hospital bed, a silver-gray laptop resting on her lap.
"Boss."
Sarah turned her head to look at Leo, who was lying in bed.
"The email's ready. It's addressed to Mike Allen, the chief political correspondent for the *Political Newspaper*."
Leo leaned back against the pillows, the cast on his left arm making him look somewhat awkward.
"Send it."
Leo's voice was calm.
"But Stern informed me that the White House is reviewing your proposal, and we need to keep it confidential for now," Ethan said, standing nearby with a worried tone. "Doing this tears up our understanding with the White House. If they're humiliated and decide to retaliate..."
"Understandings are built on a foundation of equal strength."
Leo stared at the ceiling.
