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Chapters (83)
  1. Cover
  2. ALSO BY TOM CLANCY
  3. PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
  4. 1
  5. 2
  6. 3
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  83. What’s next onyour reading list?

“You’re a great accountant. You have impeccable taste in ballpoint pens. What else do I need to know?”

Paul poured himself another drink, spilling some on the coffee table. He then filled an empty glass next to it. “Have a drink with me.”

“I was actually heading back out—”

“Have a drink with me. Please.”

“Okay.” Jack picked up the glass. “What’s the occasion?”

“Today’s my anniversary. Carmen and I would’ve been married thirty-two years today.” He lifted his glass.

“That’s amazing.” Jack touched his glass to Paul’s. “To Carmen, and to you.”

Paul’s lower lip began to quiver, like a child’s. “I miss her, Jack.”

“C’mon, buddy, drink up. You’ve got a lot to celebrate.”

“Like what?”

“Like fantastic memories of a woman you clearly adored, and who adored you, too. Not everybody gets that in this life.” Jack smiled warmly. “My mom and dad have that. I envy them—and I envy you and Carmen.” Jack tossed back his drink.

Paul brightened. “Yeah, you’re right. I am lucky.” He tossed his drink back, too.

Jack stood. “I’d stay and hang out with you, but I’ve got some running around to do.”

“Want me to come along?”

Yeah, if you weren’t already hammered and if it would keep you from drinking yourself into a coma, Jack thought. “Not this time. But thanks.”

Paul grinned wide. Waved a fat finger at him. “Oh, I get it. It’s that woman, isn’t it? Lian? Oh, boy. She’s a beauty. Good for you.” Paul poured himself another drink. “We should toast to that.”

“Another one of those and I’ll be toast. Rain check?”

“Sure! I understand. Not everybody can hold their liquor good as me.” Paul burped.

“Can I get you something to eat before I go?” Anything to get him sobered up, Jack thought.

“Nah, I’m fine. But thanks.”

“Okay. Call me if you need me.”

“Don’t do nothing I wouldn’t do,” Paul said, snickering. But then he darkened. “But you treat her right, you hear me? Or you’ll answer to me.”

Jack nodded gravely. “Of course.”

Jack turned on his heel and headed for his bedroom to take care of some business before paying another visit to the garage. Jogging up the stairs, he swore to himself, frustrated that the night was going to be even longer than he’d expected.

45

Jack Uber’d over to Dalfan headquarters but had the driver drop him off a few blocks away. He knew from the vice president of operations, Feng, that Dalfan shut down in the evenings, maintaining only a skeleton crew of security in the building. But it wasn’t unusual for a few of the hardworking employees at Dalfan to stay late or even overnight if they had hard deadlines to meet.