Before answering Valineski looked over his shoulder, as if he was checking to see if anyone would hear his response. When he did look back at Nancy and answered, he did so in a very low voice. “Who hasn’t been?”

“Do you think that colonel held his men back intentionally?”

The expression on Valineski’s face as he considered his answer reminded Nancy of the same look that soldiers accused of mischief affect. It was, she thought, as if Valineski was trying to figure out what answer would be appropriate for her.

When he finally did select what he considered an appropriate response, it was very noncommittal. “I don’t know,” Valineski mumbled. “I wasn’t there. You of all people should know how hard it is to pass judgment on something this far removed from the scene. It’s like being a Monday morning quarterback. Who knows what you would have done in that spot?”

Understanding that the master sergeant had no intention of answering her question, Nancy accepted Valineski’s response. “Okay, thanks. I appreciate your thought.”

Neither Valineski or Nancy said another word as Valineski walked away. Now pressed for time, Nancy returned to the business of sorting out her piles of work without giving the subject of the upcoming briefing, or of the incident in Wyoming, another thought.

CHAPTER 5

NORTH OF COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO • JULY 6

Through the window that faced east, a faint hint of light could be seen as it began separating the great American plains from the vast western skies. Soon the tips of the jagged peaks of the towering Rocky Mountains would be illuminated by a sun still hidden below the horizon. Unable to sleep any longer, Jan Fields-Dixon reached out and placed her hand gently on her husband’s bare chest as she enjoyed the birth of a new day.

Snuggling closer to Scott, Jan watched while the night sky slowly faded into pale shades of blue. She loved this time of day. It was a wonderful, magical time, a time when she was free to enjoy the privacy of her home. Safe and warm between the crisp, clean sheets, she could let her thoughts wander freely while enjoying the presence of a man she loved like no other person she had ever loved before. On occasion, when Jan was in a playful mood, she would slowly arouse Scott’s passions into frenzy wild enough to make Scott forget that he was a general officer with schedules to keep and duties to perform. Mostly, though, she lay quietly next to him as he continued his slumber, enjoying the tranquil peace that smothered her soul like a cozy, warm comforter on a cold winter night.

From the nightstand, the harsh buzz of the alarm shattered Jan’s serene reflections. Nimbly, she reached across Scott and mashed down the off switch. Scott, roused by Jan’s movements more so than by the piercing noise, grunted and snorted like a bear roused from hibernation before his time. His first efforts to speak were utter failures, ending in disjointed sounds that reminded Jan of garbled German. Scott was more successful in prying his reluctant eyelids open. While Jan slid back into the crook of his arm, he looked about the room. “It’s still dark,” he muttered as if he were making a deathbed declaration. “What time is it?”