“Listen to me, Carr. You’ve put me in a difficult position. Probably the most agonizingly difficult spot I’ve ever been in, and that’s saying something for a two-term president. And yet with all that, I don’t think it approaches the pain that you’ve suffered at the hands of a country that should have known better.” He paused and stood. “I tell you what I’m going to do, since I wouldn’t even be alive now and this country would be in the middle of a disastrous war but for your efforts, I’m going to take this under advisement. I don’t want you mentioning this to anyone, much less turning yourself in. Do you understand me?”

Stone looked at Alex and then Knox and then back at the president. “Are you sure, sir?”

“No, I’m not sure,” he snapped. “But that’s the way it’s going to be. I don’t condone vigilantism. Never have and never will. But I also have a heart and a soul, and a sense of honor and decency despite what some of my political opponents claim. So until you hear from me you are to do nothing except carry on with your life. Understood? I know you’re no longer technically in the military, but I am still the leader of this country. And you will obey that order.”

“Yes, sir,” said an obviously surprised Stone.

As they turned to leave Brennan added, “Oh, and it’ll be a long term of taking it under advisement. So long in fact and with all the other issues I’m confronted with as president, it is highly likely that I may completely forget all about it. Good-bye, Carr. And good luck.”

As they closed the door behind them, both Knox and Alex exhaled in relief.

“Holy shit, do I need a drink,” said Knox. “Come on, I’m buying.”

Chapter 83

CHAPTER 83

OLIVER STONE OPENED the gates to Mt. Zion Cemetery and walked up to his cottage. The front door was unlocked, and when he went in he saw that the changes Annabelle had made were no longer there. Everything was just as he had left it.

He sat down behind his desk and ran his hand over the old wood, squeaked back in the chair and gazed over at his wall of beloved books. He made a cup of coffee and carried a mug with him as he explored the grounds of the cemetery, noting where work needed to be done that he would get to the next day. He was once more the official caretaker of hallowed ground. It was where he belonged.

That evening, the others came by to see him. He hugged Reuben, Caleb and Annabelle, thanking each in turn again for what they had done for him. Reuben brought a few six-packs while Caleb had a nice bottle of red wine. Later, Alex, Finn and Knox joined them.