“We’re on the schedule. So unless war is declared or a hurricane hits somewhere, we’re going to see the man.”

Knox let out a deep breath and slumped in a chair. “Jesus, Joseph, Mary.”

As soon as he said the last name, a woman appeared and said, “The president will see you now, gentlemen.”

In the Oval Office, President Brennan rose from behind the Resolute Desk and shook hands with all three, lingering over Alex, who’d taken a bullet while trying to prevent the president from being kidnapped in Brennan’s hometown.

“Great to see you, Alex. You all recovered, I trust?”

“Yes, sir, thank you, sir.”

“I can never express how grateful I am for what you did for me back then.”

“Well, Mr. President, that’s partly why we’re here.”

Brennan looked confused. “The schedule said you wanted me to meet some friends of yours?” He looked at Knox and Stone. “These gentlemen, I’m assuming?”

“It’s a bit more complicated than that, sir, if you could spare us a few minutes.”

The president motioned them to sit down in chairs set in front of the fireplace.

Alex started speaking and didn’t stop for over twenty minutes. Nor did Brennan, known for being an inveterate questioner, ever interrupt him. He just sat in his chair absorbing what Alex was telling him about the events in Pennsylvania and up to what had happened at Murder Mountain and then on to the confrontation at the Visitor Center underneath the U.S. Capitol where Milton Farb had been killed and Harry Finn’s son rescued. Knox took up the tale from there, and though clearly nervous in the presence of the commander in chief, his voice was strong and his details meticulous as he took Brennan through his part of the story, including Stone being denied the Medal of Honor, their time in prison and ending with Macklin Hayes’ arrest.

Brennan sat back. “My God, this is incredible. Truly incredible. I can’t believe this about Carter Gray. He was one of my most trusted advisors.” He glanced over at Stone. “And you are John Carr?”

Stone nodded. “I am.”

“With this entity called the Triple Six?”

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s amazing to me that we engaged in that sort of thing.”

“It wasn’t amazing to me. I was just following orders. It was only later that my conscience got the better of me.”

“But to kill your family. To come after you like that. I’m sorry, Alex, it just doesn’t sound like the people I knew.”

Stone held up the box. “Do you mind, Mr. President? I have something here that might convince you.”

Brennan hesitated but then nodded.

Stone opened the box and took out the small recorder. He hit the play button and a voice came on loud and clear. It was Carter Gray. At Murder Mountain.