"We'll head for Stryker's place," Landry said.

"Keep me informed."

As Landry drove to Fairfax, Virginia, Powers kept reliving the sight of Ray's corpse. The effect of all that had happened seemed to sink in for the first time. He felt weary, and his vague foreboding reminded him of his first day in Vietnam.

Ray Stryker’s two bedroom condominium was wedged into a colorless six block tract of similar dwellings. The entire development was surrounded by a six foot concrete block wall, and young trees had been planted at acceptable intervals along the parkways. There were neatly trimmed squares of recently planted grass sod and wooden planter boxes with lines of drooping pansies in front of each residence. Powers had once considered purchasing a similar town house but preferred his uncomfortable Georgetown Arms apartment to paying on a huge mortgage and living in such a sterile, lusterless suburb.

Landry parked at the curb. They climbed out and walked along a curving walkway to the door of Stryker's place. Powers knocked. There was no answer. After trying a few keys on Stryker's key ring, Landry unlocked the door and pushed it open.

"Anyone home?" Landry said.

They walked in cautiously and checked the bedroom and bath. No one was there. After a few words about how they should proceed with the search, Landry took the kitchen and Powers the bedroom.

In the bedroom, Powers not only searched the dresser drawers but methodically removed them from the cabinet and checked each bottom. He found nothing but socks and underwear. In the closet, he lifted each hangered piece of clothing and fingered every pocket. Finding a Santa Claus hat on one hanger he paused for a moment, remembering Stryker in the hat when tending bar at the White House Detail Christmas party. In a box of papers on the closet shelf were Stryker's U.S. Army discharge papers, a few Series E savings bonds all agents had to buy under the Secret Service payroll savings program, a Jimmy Carter tie clip, a few Ronald Reagan ballpoint pens, and some coupons for the Fairfax car wash.