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

“Weston! Tell him to put the gun down!” Zvezdev shouted from behind Weston’s back. “We can work this out!”

Rhodes’s hands were up, his face a grimace of pain and fear.

“Paul! He’s right. Take it easy. We can work this out.”

Paul’s aim didn’t waver. “Let him go.”

“Drop your gun first,” Zvezdev shouted.

“Let him go,” Paul repeated.

“Okay. Okay. I’ll let him go. Don’t shoot. All friendly, yes?”

Zvezdev released his grip on Rhodes and lowered the pistol.

Paul saw Rhodes relax.

Zvezdev shoved Rhodes forward, took aim—

Paul’s weapon fired.

78

SULLY, IOWA

PRESENT DAY

The rifles fired a third time. The seven CIA Honor Guardsmen lowered their weapons and stood at ceremonial rest.

Jack Junior stood solemnly, his eyes glued to the casket as it lowered into the ground. It should’ve been him being put into the cold earth today, not Paul. He felt grateful, and ashamed.

The funeral ended. President Ryan shook hands and offered condolences to the friends and family in attendance, ignoring his chief of staff’s silent reminders. They were supposed to be wheels-up in forty-five minutes for the flight to Beijing and they were more than an hour away from the airport. Ryan shot him a look that finally drove Arnie off. First things first.

Jack Junior approached a distinguished, silver-haired gentleman chatting with John Clark. He offered his hand. “Captain Miller, good to see you again. I just wish it wasn’t under these circumstances.”

The airline pilot smiled. “I understand, on both counts.”

“How do you two know each other?” Clark asked.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Jack said.

“David and I go back a long way, don’t we?”

“When dinosaurs ruled the earth.”

The two old vets shared a chuckle, and obviously an unspoken bond.

“And you both knew Paul,” Jack said.

“All of us old-timers knew Paul Brown,” Miller said. He glanced back at the grave. “It’s a shame more people won’t.”

Jack shook Miller’s hand again. “Take care.”

“Same to you.”

Jack drifted over to the other gravestones, weathered but well maintained. A lot of Browns. Paul was laid to rest next to Carmen, but he was surrounded by five generations of family. A long history in one place. Jack felt a hand on his shoulder.

“How’s that busted wing coming along?”

Gerry’s voice was unmistakable. Jack turned around and lifted his cast. “You know, this thing would make a pretty good weapon.”

“I bet. And how are you doing, son?”

Jack shrugged. “Can’t shake the feeling I let Paul down.”