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Taking a deep breath, Charlie reminded herself that God was with her. She was no longer simply Charlotte Overholt from Butte, Montana. She was Charlotte Clark, the wife of her dearest and best friend. Charlie found she didn't have to use Wallace Shipley's name to find enough poise to face the public. Adam Clark was enough.

Outside, Adam waited for Charlie. She was so quiet for the space of several minutes, that he was becoming concerned. As he was about to knock on the door and check on her, Charlie appeared from the bathroom, looking remarkably calm.

"Are you all right?" Adam inquired, realizing that the question was an unnecessary one. Charlie's face was back to its usual shade of loveliness, and her lips no longer looked pale.

"Do we have any food on this jet?" she asked, giving Adam a playful smile before returning to their seats. "I'm kind of hungry."

Adam waved the steward over and the man brought Charlie something to eat.

"I was beginning to think I was asking too much of you," said Adam, with an air of hesitation still lingering in his voice. "My name would be mud with Norman Jones, but I'll find a way to back you out of the interview, if you need me to. Norman wants you there, but even he doesn't want someone throwing up on a live broadcast."

"Your fans are expecting me to be there," Charlie shook her head, "so I'd better show up, or they're going to be disappointed. I know I would be, and I'm one of Wallace Shipley's biggest fans."

"You're number one in my book," Adam smiled gratefully. Charlie beamed back at him, delighted more than she thought possible by those few words of praise.

After a stopover for fuel in New Mexico, they arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, late in the afternoon. While Charlie prepared to gather her things, Adam went down the steps and greeted Bill, who had driven to the airfield to meet them.

"Adam," Bill quickly pulled him aside in a serious voice, "I was just notified that the LAPD [Los Angeles Police Department] and the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] are going to hold a joint news conference today, concerning the woman who claimed she was part of a plot to kidnap Charlie." Nervously, Bill looked up and waved "hello" to Charlie as she descended the steps with Kevin.

Adam followed his manager's gaze, and forced a smile in her direction.

"They're charging the woman with conspiracy to kidnap," Bill continued in a hushed tone.

"Don't tell Charlie," Adam quickly directed him, as she approached them with her carry-on bags.

"You're looking good!" Bill greeted her with a warm hug. "Marriage must agree with you!"

"Thank you for flying out here to meet us like this," said Charlie.

"Nonsense," Bill dismissed her gratitude with a wave of his hand. "I'm just doing my job."

"Even so," Charlie smiled, "it's good to know you and Melvin are here."

At this, Bill hesitated.

"About Melvin," he stammered, "something came up, and he won't be able to make it for the interview, after all." Bill glanced at Adam and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "But don't worry," he added, seeing the alarm rise in Charlie's face, "Melvin gave me your talking points, so you'll be good and prepared for whatever Norman Jones throws your way."

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