As Knox and Stone sat in front of the fireplace, Alex and Annabelle were engaged in animated conversation in one corner of the room. She held a glass of wine and he had a beer.

“Why did you really come to help us?” she said suddenly.

“Friends don’t let friends die by stupidity.”

“Gee, thanks.”

He drew closer to her. “Well, actually, I did it because it occurred to me that we had left things on the wrong foot. And I wanted to tell you that despite all the mean, nasty things you said about me, I’d still like to hang out with you on occasion.”

“Oh, is that right?”

“That’s pretty right, yeah.”

“Is that the best ‘please come back to me’ line Secret Service agents are taught?”

“We’re more the strong and silent types.”

Annabelle hooked her arm through his. “What you did was pretty wonderful,” she said into his ear. “And I am sorry for the things I said.” She glanced over at Reuben. “He really set me right on things.”

“Let’s just start over and see where it goes.”

Reuben, who was watching all this from the other side of the room along with Caleb, said, “Oh, man, I’m going to puke.”

Caleb replied, “Don’t be jealous, Reuben. He’s younger and much better-looking than you are. And besides, I don’t have anyone either. I’m as big a loser in the female department as you are. I hope that makes you feel better.”

Reuben drank down his entire beer and stalked off muttering.

Everyone looked over when Alex’s cell phone began to ring. He answered it.

“Hello? What?” He suddenly snapped to attention and almost dropped his beer. “Yes, sir. Absolutely, sir. I’ll make sure he’s there. You can count on it, sir.”

He clicked off and looked at the others in complete astonishment.

Knox said, “Who was that? Not the president?”

Alex slowly shook his head and walked over to Stone and put a hand on his shoulder. “That was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

“What?” Reuben exclaimed, his features growing pale. “What the hell did he want? You know, technically, I’m not AWOL. It was a misunderstanding.”

“He called about you, Oliver,” said Alex.

Stone looked up at him. “What about me?”

“We’re taking another trip to the White House. Tomorrow.”

“What? Why?”

Alex smiled. “Something about a medal, my friend. A long-overdue one. The top brass reviewed your war record, made the recommendation and the president immediately accepted it.”

Reuben roared, “That’s fantastic.” He slapped Stone on the back as the others crowded around him, offering their congratulations.

When things quieted Stone said, “Alex, will you please call them back and tell them I appreciate the gesture but I can’t accept it.”

“What!” exclaimed a stricken Reuben.