Luke looked at Eds face. He had washed up in the mens room, so at least he was clean. But the Secret Service had roughed him up, worse than they did Luke. Maybe it was payback for knocking out two of their agents at the Oval Office. Maybe it was because he was black. Hard to say. But his eye was mostly swollen shut now. He had a couple of darkish lumps on his jaw line that were going to bruise up nicely. And he looked tired. Drained.

Man, you look like shit.

Ed shrugged. You should see the other guy.

You going to file a workers comp claim?

Ed shook his head. He smiled. No, Ill probably just sue you for reckless endangerment. Hows your malpractice insurance? Up to date?

Luke laughed. Good luck with that. By the way, were not suspended anymore.

Ed raised an eyebrow. Was I ever suspended?

I dont know. Maybe you were. Maybe you werent. But youre not now. Also, you have a new boss.

Oh yeah? Whos that?

Luke stared down at the highway. The traffic jam went on as far as the eye could see. The President of the United States of America, he said.

Chapter 26

1:15 p.m.

McLean, Virginia - Headquarters of the Special Response Team

Luke had never really looked at Don Morriss photos before. The walls in his office were covered in them. Then again, Luke had never really stood around in Dons office with nothing to do before, either. Don was usually here when Luke walked in.

The photos were amazing. In one photo, a much younger Don was standing with Arnold Schwarzenegger, demonstrating to the actor a big MK-19 grenade gun. In a newer one, Don was putting a jiu-jitsu move on Mark Wahlberg. Wahlberg was inverted, his legs in the air, his head on its way to a safety mat. Luke knew that Don sometimes consulted with Hollywood, helping to make their celluloid fakery seem vaguely realistic.

There was more. Here was Don, receiving what looked like a Bronze Star from Jimmy Carter. Here he was shaking hands with Ronald Reagan. Here was one with Bill Clinton. Here was one of Don with a paternal arm around Susan Hopkins. And another of Don standing near a river with the current Speaker of the House, both men wearing fly-fishing gear. Here was Don addressing a Congressional committee.

Luke sensed a presence behind him in the room.

Hello, son, Don said.

Hi, Don. Great pictures. Luke turned to face him. You get around, eh?

Don came all the way into the room. He wore a dress shirt and slacks. His body language was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp. He sat behind his big desk, and gestured to the chair facing it.

Have a seat. Take a load off.

Luke did.