71. Three Women

But we didn’t go in. The motorcade arrived and Mother Innovación came out of the entrance, followed by three nuns all aged around twenty. SSA Washington went out to greet the Motorcade, which had halted on the street out front. Most likely motorcycle outriders had sealed off either end of the street. I asked where the nuns had come from.

‘They were in the chapel all the time.’ Necessity said. ‘There’s no band today. We gotta have music for FLOTUS, now, don’t we?’
I didn’t see any instruments and said so.

‘They sing a capella, they practise in the chapel. Useta be a girl group. The Demonettes.’ She let out a restrained laugh, which was probably wise. But I didn’t believe her anyhow. She walked up the stone steps and was framed by the arched doorway. She clapped her hands once and then gave the two-fingered whistle. It broke through the general hubbub of slamming car doors and children being excited. It worked. Like a tribe of Von Trapps they all lined up in size order in four ranks at the foot of the entrance stairs. I walked over to Sam Sara.

‘Remembered I’m here, huh?’ Her lips were tight and thin.

‘There’s a lot going on. Look, see if you can get near FLOTUS. Ingratiate a little. Talk to one of the Secret Service bodyguards.’

‘For what?’

‘Nike, Sam.’ I did a tick in the air with my forefinger. I wouldn’t have said she went away mad, but her back was as stiff as a Marine Corps Sergeant Major’s. There were around two dozen more G-Men and -Women doing their best to look alert. A sound-and-vision one-man-band had set up with a decent view of the parking lot and the stairs in front of the Orphanage. FLOTUS -Lila, Lilith, Mrs Fool, whatever – was still in the car. Two Secret Service agents went to the back of one of the sedans. I didn’t think they’d need any heavy artillery. They pulled out a portable lectern and PA system. They only stopped once when they lugged it all by themselves to a position just in front of the four ranks of foundlings. Then they set it up. The rest of the G-Persons formed a guard of honour leading from the gate to the lectern. Uriel was still in the back of the C-and-C vehicle. SSA Washington stood beside it, it was as good a place as any to wait. Sam came back. We were at right angles to the action. We had both the reception committee and the First Lady’s limousine in view. The driver got out and opened the rear door. Lila Radziwill stepped out, gracefully, in spite of the heels and a shortish dress. She was followed by La Divina Sofia from the club and Margarita Cansino. There was a gasp from every G-Guy and Gal on duty. Sam and I gasped too,but we were surprised, not horny. I shot a look at Beelze-Buttons. Even under the clown make-up, he looked like he’d seen Mother Theresa turn up in Hades. Not even the Devil’s plans survived first contact with The Redhead. I figured I’d just wait and see what played out.