Lying there, McCaskey remembered vividly all the differences that had come up during her stay in America. She had a live-for-today attitude, not worrying very much about health or money or the danger of some of the assignments she took. They had different tastes in music and in the sports they liked to watch or play. She liked to bike everywhere, he liked to walk or drive. He loved cities and high energy places, she loved the country.

But whatever their differences, and they were considerable, one thing was true. They had loved each other. That should have counted for more than it did. It sure as hell did now.

McCaskey could still remember her face when he told her the relationship wasn't working for him. He would always see that face, hard but deeply hurt-like a soldier who'd been wounded but refused to believe it and was determined to keep going. It was one of those snapshots that stayed in the soul and came back from time to time, as vivid as the moment it happened. "Emotional malaria," Op-Center psychologist Liz Gordon had once called it when they were talking about failed relationships.

She got that right.

McCaskey gave up trying to keep his eyes shut. As he lay staring up at the fluorescent lights, Luis came running in. He hurried to a phone on one of the four round tables in the dining room. He snapped his fingers and motioned for McCaskey to pick up another one.

"It's María," Luis said. "On line five. They're under attack."

McCaskey swung from the sofa and rushed to the nearest table. "Are they okay?"

"They're in a car," Luis said. "María said she thinks it best to stay where they are." He scooped up a phone.

McCaskey did likewise and punched line five.

"María?" Luis said. "Darrell is on the phone and Raul is checking on the helicopters. What's happening now?"

McCaskey decided not to ask for an update. If he missed anything Luis would fill him in.

"Two of the helicopters are circling low over the factory grounds," María said. "The other two are hovering just above the roof. Troops are climbing out. Some of the soldiers are taking up positions on the edge of the roof. Others are using aluminum ladders to climb down toward the doors. All of them are armed with submachine guns."

"You said they already shot two men-"

"They shot at two members of the Ramirez familia, Juan and Ferdinand," María said. "Both men had taken part in the retaliation for the yacht attack. But they hit the ground and surrendered-I think they're all right."

Her voice was calm and strong. McCaskey was proud of her. He had a deep desire to take back those stupid, selfish words he'd once uttered to her.