Logan and Bill had an appointment at Potomac Associates, the consulting firm set up by Tyrone MacPherson--universally called "Mac"--on his retirement from the Senate two years previously.

The six-term Senator from Nebraska had headed the Foreign Relations Committee his last twelve years in office and decided to cash in on the experience by acting as a combination lobbyist and diplomatic envoy. His fees, which ranged from exorbitant to astronomical, would enable him to live much more comfortably than would have been possible had he retired directly after a lifetime as a public servant.

Kathy returned with the coffee and Mac entered simultaneously. Mac looked just like a picture-book senator. A big man, he had at least two inches on Logan's six foot two, with wavy white hair and ruggedly handsome features. He wore an impeccably tailored dark blue suit with a white shirt and striped tie. Real power dressing, noted Bill.