Chapter Two
The President’s idea of a “small reception” in the Residence was much in keeping with Genny’s idea of what it turned out to be. She had been to enough political receptions throughout her career not to be surprised by this one.
Thirty or so guests, a half dozen waiters, and a trio of Secret Service agents milled about the Central Hall of the second floor of the Residence. Actually the Secret Service didn’t so much mill about as stand unobtrusively, looking like black-suited structural pillars in a room otherwise done in white, pale yellow, and abounding with Christmas décor.
Small trees, not much taller than she was, were placed in three corners of the spacious room. A grand piano and harp stood in the fourth corner. The instruments did not intrude even halfway into the width
