It felt good to see his former commander again, even under the circumstances. Thorny’s no-nonsense expression hadn’t changed over the years. He still looked as though the weight of the world remained planted on his shoulders. Nathan had never known the man to back away from a fight. Thorny, nearly eight inches shorter, seemed taller than his actual height. At sixty-two, he didn’t look a day over fifty, except for his hair color, but at least he still had it. His aide looked equally crisp and professional, just thirty years his junior. They were both dressed in summer attire—desert Marine pattern—Thorny’s preferred appearance. Were it not for the four black stars on his rank patch, he could easily pass for a sergeant major, not the Marine Corps’ top dog. Thorny entered through the automatic sliding glass doors, and out of habit they both saluted.

Their former commander extended his hand. “You’re civilians now. Get your damned hands down.”

Nathan suppressed a smile. “Aye, aye sir.”

“Damn, it’s good to see you two.”

“The same, sir.”

“Harvey, you’re looking fit as ever.”

“Thank you, General.”

“This is my aide, Major Bob Halliday. He’s not a Robert, like me. It actually says Bob on his birth certificate.”

“Major,” Nathan said, pumping his hand. Harvey did the same.

“Please, call me Bob.”

“How was your flight?” Nathan asked.

“Comfortable. It’s a nice ride.” Thorny lowered his voice. “Maybe too comfortable.”

Harv said, “There’s nothing like a cross-country flight in a herky bird’s jump seat.”

“Amen to that. Is your vehicle clean?”

“Yes, we did a sweep of Harv’s Mercedes yesterday. Mine’s in the bat cave as we speak.”

“The bat cave?”

“It’s the nickname for our countermeasures garage.”

Showing no reaction, Thorny said, “Let’s take a drive.”

Three minutes later, Harv turned right onto Pacific Coast Highway and accelerated into traffic. Seconds from touchdown, a commercial jet roared over their sedan.

“Harv, how are the wife and kids? Candace, Lucas, and… shit.”

“It’s Dillon.” Harvey made a left onto Laurel Street. “But ‘shit’ isn’t too far off the mark at times. They’re doing great, thank you for asking. Lucas graduates from high school this year. I think he’s going to enlist. He wants to be a sniper. Army, though.”

“Army? You’re screwing with me.”

“Afraid not, General. He likes the Army.”

“Well, if he must.… I’ll personally follow his career.”

“He’s a good student, OCS material, but he wants to be a sniper. I haven’t discouraged him from pursuing it.”

“You have anything to do with that, Nate?”

“Lucas is a good kid. I had a heart-to-heart talk with him about what it’s really like. For a while, he reconsidered, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to do it.”

“If he’s anything like his old man, he’ll do fine.”