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“It was perfect from takeoff to landing. It was so kind of the governor to send his jet for us.”
    Sophie looked at Toots and Mavis, rolling her eyes. “Is this the same woman who left fingernail marks on the armrest five minutes ago?”
    Ida shot her a shut-up-or-die look.
    â€œI’m not the biggest fan of flying myself,” Cynthia said to Ida. “Sophia?”
    â€œThat would be me,” Sophie said, shaking hands with the woman. “These are my friends, Toots, Ida, and Mavis.”
    â€œI’m glad you all could accompany Sophie. I’m sure you will enjoy the amenities at the Sterling Hotel. You have carte blanche, courtesy of the governor.” Cynthia looked at her slim gold wristwatch. “We’d better get going.”
    Half an hour later, when they arrived at the hotel, they were greeted by the governor himself.

Chapter 1
    A fter dinner with the first couple, Ida, Mavis, and Toots went to their rooms while Sophie met the first lady in her private suite. Slender, with a head of thick brown hair, and sparkling brown eyes, the former journalist was as bubbly in private as she was in public. Sophie liked her immediately.
    â€œI’m not sure where to start. I’ve never done anything like this before. When I heard about your success, I knew it was something I had to try. The nightmares are so real, I must admit, I’ve been terribly ill at ease.”
    Sophie could feel the woman’s uneasiness. “There are numerous ways to communicate with those who have passed. Why don’t you tell me about your dreams first, then we can decide what is best for you.”
    â€œAll right. I’m sure you know the story behind my uncle’s assassination; the entire world still speculates on exactly what happened in Dallas that day. I was just a child, yet my memory of that day is very clear.”
    Sophie listened intently.
    â€œI remember my mother had just returned from a trip, but I don’t recall where she’d been. She was crying so hard; I’d never seen her cry before. She was always such a strong woman. It scared me to see her like that. The house was instantly occupied with Secret Service. We were told we couldn’t do anything without one of them present.” The first lady paused and removed a tissue from the box on the table to her side. “Of course, I was aware our family was in the public eye, but I wasn’t used to having strangers swarming all over our home. But this doesn’t matter. You didn’t come here to listen to my childhood memories.
    â€œThe dreams, the nightmares started about a year ago. In my dream, I am walking in a tunnel, and there are hundreds of people around me, pushing and shoving one another in their attempt to get to the end of the tunnel. Two men seem to hover above the crowd. They have guns, and on their faces are horribly wicked smiles. Then there is a very loud noise, and in my dream I know it’s a gunshot. I try to get away from all the people, but I’m frozen, my legs won’t move. Those evil men above me have some sort of invisible hold on me. I struggle, and still can’t move.
    â€œOnce again I hear the same loud noise, the one I know is a gun being fired. I have to get out of that tunnel because I know if I don’t, someone will die. I continue to struggle, but I’m not going anywhere. Maniacal laughter is followed by a vision, or a flash—I’m not sure what it is—of my uncle’s face. He is trying to tell me something of great importance. And then I wake up.”
    Understanding, Sophie nodded. “I’m not an expert at dream interpretations, but I’ve studied enough to have a basic knowledge of certain symbols and what they most commonly represent.”
    â€œI know this isn’t a scientific method.”
    Reassured, Sophie continued. “Dreaming that you’re running usually indicates an issue you’re trying to avoid. Some