The same thing that happened last time. President Ryan serves out the existing term, in this case three more years. He runs for re-election, or he doesnt. I imagine he will, but thats up to him. The people decide who the next President is. Nothing has changed, Luke. The Constitution is still in effect. All we did is press the reset button.

The entire civilian government has been decapitated, Luke said.

So well fix it.

Just a little do-over, eh, Don? Like when we were all kids?

Sure. A do-over, if you like.

How many people have died for your do-over so far?

The line was quiet.

Don?

Luke, Id say about one percent of one percent of one percent of the population. Three hundred and fifty people out of a total of three hundred and fifty million. Thats an estimate, but its probably accurate. Well know more in the morning. Not a very high price to pay, if you think about it.

Luke crouched in the darkness. He shrugged into a shoulder holster on his left side, then another on his right. He would strap the M16 to his back. The grenades would go in his cargo pockets. Hed carry the shotgun in his arms and fire that one off first.

He glanced into the living room. Those floor-to-ceiling windows were looking pretty silly right about now. He lived, quite literally, in a glass house. There was no way he could defend this place. He would have to get out of here, most likely through a hail of gunfire.

Luke?

Im listening, Don.

Do you have any questions?

Sure. Heres one. Why did you wake me up in the middle of the night to be part of all this? I hadnt even clocked in for six months. I hadnt worked a case in ten.

Don laughed, and that slow Southern drawl came flowing out like syrup. It was just a mistake on my part. Youre one of the best operatives Ive ever seen, but I figured youd be slow and out of practice after so much time away. And you were a little slow last night, but you caught up quickly. I underestimated you, thats all. You were supposed to get as far as the Iranian and stop there.

So when the White House blew up, we could just blame it on the Iranians?

Yes. It could have been that simple.

And Begley? What about him?

Don laughed again. Ron Begley cant find his ass with both hands.

So he wasnt in on it?

Oh my, no.

Now Luke almost laughed. That figured. Poor Ron Begley was up there safeguarding Ali Nassars rights for reasons he didnt even understand. He probably thought he was protecting the sanctity of diplomatic immunity. If we dont respect it here, they wont respect it over there. Or maybe he was just trying to break Lukes balls.

Why are you calling me, Don?