All he’d been told was that he was going to be receiving some kind of award at the White House. The invitation had been given to him directly by a member of the Secret Service, and as far as he knew, nobody else was aware of what any of this was about.

Even Paul Hutchison, who seemed to know about everything going on in DC, was out of the loop.

A maze of corridors brought them to a large room dominated by a long conference room table. No one was seated yet, but several people were gathered talking, and as Juan and Kathy entered, a man who looked vaguely familiar walked over and shook their hands.

“Dr. Gutierrez, it’s very good to see you again.” The man turned to Kathy. “And this must be the lovely Miss O’Reilly. I’m Neil Wilson. I understand congratulations are in order. When’s the wedding?”

They exchanged a few pleasantries, then Juan and Kathy were left alone once more. Kathy whispered, “Who was that?”

Juan leaned close. “That was the director of the FBI.”

Kathy’s eyes widened. “My God, who have I gotten myself involved with? Let me explain to you that I never in my life expected to visit the White House nor meet any FBI big shots.”

The buzz in the room quieted as a door at the far end opened and the president walked in. Everyone practically swooped in to shake his hand, but he strode directly across the room toward Juan.

Juan swallowed hard against the bile that rose in his throat. He would never forget the things this man had said. The things this man had planned to do. Would have done.

The president shook Juan’s hand firmly, then turned to Kathy. “My dear Miss O’Reilly, your presence brightens this otherwise dreary room.” He patted Juan on his shoulder. “Please take care of this man. This country owes him a great debt.”

The others gathered around, and the president fixed Juan with a firm gaze. “Dr. Gutierrez, this nation—no, the world—owes you a great debt. We all appreciate the work you’ve put in and the indescribable advancements you’ve made in the sciences. But mostly, we’re grateful that when called upon by your government to address a dire need of its citizens, you responded.”

The man standing beside the president held up a blue velvet-covered box. The president opened it and lifted out a medal attached to a long ribbon. The man motioned for Juan to turn around, which he did.

“Dr. Juan Gutierrez, in recognition of your meritorious contribution to the security and national interests of the United States, I am awarding you this nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

The president looped the medal over his head. Juan barely controlled his shudder of revulsion as the man smoothed out the ribbon so it lay flat around his neck.