The dark football field of the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium spread out in front of him. The vast empty stands towered above him. GO NAVY was painted in massive letters across the upper tier of seats. In the night, the words looked white, but he knew that in the daytime they were yellow against a dark blue background.

He hung back, lingering in the shadows of the end zone concourse ramp. He watched the darkened broadcast booth at the top of the stadium, looking for the slightest movement. If he were a sniper, that was where he would be.

A man walked across the field toward him. Gradually, the man became clearer. He was tall, heavyset, walking as though he was carrying more weight than he once had. He wore a long overcoat. He came closer still, and now Luke could make out the dark suit under the mans coat, and the soft, almost doughy features of the mans face.

He entered the darkness of the concourse ramp.

Luke moved, only slightly. Mr. Secretary?

The man started, just a touch. It was clear he hadnt seen Luke there. His eye was drawn immediately to the black matte Glock in Lukes hand. Luke holstered it for the moment, to put the man at ease.

Yes, the man said. Im Dave Delliger.

Im Luke Stone.

I know who you are. I was on a call with the President today. Youre the man who saved his life.

Temporarily, Luke said.

Yes.

Im sorry things happened this way.

Delliger nodded. I am, too.

I hate to ask you this, sir, but is there any chance you were followed here?

Delliger nodded again. Theres every chance. I attended the new Presidents swearing in two hours ago at Site R. I took a Navy helicopter here. Site R is a hundred miles away, in the mountains. In the dark, with my failing night vision, it would have taken me until tomorrow morning to get here.

Luke faded back against the wall. That was the wrong answer. Certainly not the one he was hoping for.

Dont worry, Delliger said. Theres nothing out of the ordinary. They have no reason to suspect me. This is my alma mater, and I taught here for many years. I still keep an office and a bedroom on campus. The Navy lets me do it because theyre so proud of me. I am what you might call a fixture here. I told the people at Site R that if were all going to die, I would prefer to do it here than in a hole in the ground.

I was under the impression, Luke said, that you once roomed with President Hayes at Yale.

Law school, Delliger said. I did, and we really were best pals, like everyone says. But that was later, after I performed my military service. He raised his arms and gestured at their surroundings. This is my true home.

President Hayes was murdered, Luke said.