“That’s not everything.” Winslow walked around his desk and took the seat facing Juan. “I put up your name as my replacement.”

“You—you did what?” Juan blinked with astonishment. “But what about the other heads of—”

Winslow waved away his question. “You’re the one. For all the reasons you were successful in helping the FBI. I’ll admit, due to clearances, I probably only know half of what went on, but based on the half I do know… I don’t think I would have held it together as well as you did.”

He clapped his hands together. “So. The board took my recommendation. The job is yours, assuming you’ll take it.”

Juan’s mind raced, and he felt a sudden shortness of breath. “I don’t know… I still want to be able to do my own research—”

“Juan, I’ll show you how you can do both. And as we just discussed, you now know how to work through others. Trust me, I wouldn’t have put your name up if I wasn’t one hundred percent certain you could do it.” Winslow smiled. “And besides, the pay isn’t bad.”

Juan considered the freedom of being able to drive whatever research he felt was needed, whatever helped others, without constant management hassle. He muttered, “I suppose I’d be an idiot to say no.”

“You would be. So, is that a yes?”

Juan couldn’t believe everything that had happened to him recently. He’d helped undo what might have been a disaster for all of humanity. He’d been given awards and accolades from the FBI and the White House both. Most importantly, he’d become engaged to the kindest and strongest woman he’d ever met. And now, he’d been offered a top executive position at AgriMed.

He smiled. “I’ll do it.”

###

Frank felt perfectly at peace as he lay on the sofa with Megan nestled in his arms. The new TV was playing some crazy game show, which both of them were ignoring.

She tilted her head back and gave Frank a firm kiss on the lips.

“What was that for?” Frank said.

“For not arguing with me about having a second checkup with the cancer clinic.”

He gave her a squeeze. “I told you I was fine.”

She nestled her head in the crook of his arm. “You did, but I needed to hear it again. Franklin O’Reilly, I need you around to frustrate me for many years to come. You got that?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do the best I can.”