April 17
The White House
Ebert was in the Oval Office, hovering over the President’s desk, with his fingertips on the edge of a folder. Pendleton came through the side door and, noticing Ebert’s presence and his position over the desk, made a beeline for him.
“Put that down,” ordered Pendleton. “Willy, I’ve allowed you frequent and, at times, unaccompanied access to my office…”
“The people’s office, Mike.”
“My office,” Pendleton stressed. “But that doesn’t mean I will tolerate you looking through the files on my desk.
“The people’s desk,” Ebert said, tapping his finger on the surface of the Resolute Desk.
“What do you have here?” he asked Pendleton.
“None of your damn business.” Then thinking better of himself, he allowed, “It’s just another angry letter. I get lots of them, as you
