Listen to me. Mom isnt going to leave me, and were all going to be together for a long, long time. Okay?

Okay, Dad.

He disappeared up the steps and toward his room.

When he was gone, the two of them stared across at each other. The distance seemed smaller now. Gunner was the bridge between them.

Luke…

He held up his hands. Before you speak, I want to say something. I love you, and I love Gunner, more than anything in this world. I want to be with you both, every day, now and forever. Im not leaving because I feel like it. I dont feel like it. I hate it. But that call tonight… peoples lives are at stake. In all the years Ive been doing this, the times that Ive left in the middle of the night like this? The situation was a Level Two threat exactly twice. Most of the time, it was Level Three.

Beccas face had softened the tiniest amount.

What threat level is this? she asked.

Level One.

Chapter 2

1:57 am

McLean, Virginia - Headquarters of the Special Response Team

Sir? someone said. Sir, were here.

Luke snapped awake. He sat up. They were parked at the gate of the helipad. A light rain was falling. He looked at the driver. It was a young guy with a crew cut, probably just out of the military. The kid was smiling.

You dozed off, sir.

Right, Luke said. The weight of the job settled on him again. He wanted to be home in bed with Becca, but he was here instead. He wanted to live in a world where murderers didnt steal radioactive materials. He wanted to sleep and dream of pleasant things. At the moment, he couldnt even imagine what those pleasant things might be. His sleep was poisoned by knowing too much.

He climbed out of the car with his bags, showed the guard his identification, and stepped through the scanner.

A sleek black helicopter, a big Bell 430, sat on the pad, rotors turning. Luke crossed the wet tarmac, ducking low. As he approached, the choppers engine kicked into another gear. They were ready to leave. The door to the passenger compartment slid open and Luke climbed inside.

There were six people already on board, four in the passenger cabin, two up front in the cockpit. Don Morris sat next to the closest window. The seat facing him was empty. Don gestured to it.

Glad you could come, Luke. Have a seat. Join the party.