Oliver and Grace were among the first to awake after the radio appearance. Neither had slept much knowing the tasks ahead of each of them for the day. Oliver was due for a meeting at the White House while Grace stayed behind and conducted interviews with anyone trying to claim Annie. They'd anticipated a fair deal of conmen, but they hadn't anticipated them lining up at the gates overnight.

"Do you believe this?" Grace said as she joined Oliver at the window overlooking the grounds. "There's got to be two dozen couples out there already."

"I know times are desperate, but this is absurd. She's a child! What do they plan on doing with her should they succeed with the scam?"

"Fortunately, that's going to be difficult to pull off. The locket is the key. That and her birthday. If they guess one it isn't likely they'll guess the other as well."

"Thank God for that." He shook his head, "Are you going to be okay here by yourself?"

"Drake has offered to help. You have other business to attend to."

He grumbled. "How about a trade? You go talk to Roosevelt and I deal with the crowd?"

Grinning, Grace said, "I don't think the President wants my opinions on national matters. You're going to be seeing him later tonight anyway. Might as well start playing nice now."

"All the more ludicrous that he expects me in Washington today if he's going to be on his way to Hyde Park tonight. On Christmas Eve no less."

This made her chuckle.

"Are you amused?"

"It's nothing."

"Tell me."

"It's just that a few weeks ago you'd have thought nothing of working on Christmas Eve."

"I still would have complained about going to Washington…"

Rolling her eyes, she said, "Why don't you take Annie along with you? She'd be thrilled."

He contemplated a moment before responding. "It wouldn't be a terrible idea getting her out of New York for a little while. No reason to give her false hope with those people down there."

"Might keep her safer, too. Who knows what someone after fifty-thousand dollars is capable of doing?"

"Best not find out," he agreed.

"You finish getting ready. I'll go wake her up and get her dressed."

Oliver nodded as Grace started turning away. Before she could get far, he reached for one of her hands, tugging her a step closer as his other hand squeezed her forearm.

"Be careful today."

"You, too…"

"Annie and I will be fine."

"You know I don't like those autocopter things."

"Still, you feel she's safer up there than here with these people."

"Gosh, how terrible is that?"

Realizing he was still holding onto her, he awkwardly let their hands drop. "If you need me, send a telegram. If there's trouble… if you've found them… any reason at all."

"I will."

Their eyes were locked, both inwardly realizing how much they didn't want to spend the day apart. Alas, Oliver forced his will and looked away as he shuffled his feet. Grace followed, snapping out of the trance she'd fallen into.

"Good luck," they said in unison.