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Chapters (66)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Notice
  3. Dedication
  4. Epigraphs
  5. Contents
  6. Prologue
  7. Chapter 1
  8. Chapter 2
  9. Chapter 3
  10. Chapter 4
  11. Chapter 5
  12. Chapter 6
  13. Chapter 7
  14. Chapter 8
  15. Chapter 9
  16. Chapter 10
  17. Chapter 11
  18. Chapter 12
  19. Chapter 13
  20. Chapter 14
  21. Chapter 15
  22. Chapter 16
  23. Chapter 17
  24. Chapter 18
  25. Chapter 19
  26. Chapter 20
  27. Chapter 21
  28. Chapter 22
  29. Chapter 23
  30. Chapter 24
  31. Chapter 25
  32. Chapter 26
  33. Chapter 27
  34. Chapter 28
  35. Chapter 29
  36. Chapter 30
  37. Chapter 31
  38. Chapter 32
  39. Chapter 33
  40. Chapter 34
  41. Chapter 35
  42. Chapter 36
  43. Chapter 37
  44. Chapter 38
  45. Chapter 39
  46. Chapter 40
  47. Chapter 41
  48. Chapter 42
  49. Chapter 43
  50. Chapter 44
  51. Chapter 45
  52. Chapter 46
  53. Chapter 47
  54. Chapter 48
  55. Chapter 49
  56. Chapter 50
  57. Chapter 51
  58. Chapter 52
  59. Chapter 53
  60. Chapter 54
  61. Chapter 55
  62. Chapter 56
  63. The Boston Globe
  64. Also by Michael Palmer
  65. About the Author
  66. Copyright

“I owe you big-time for that one,” Vaill said. “Thanks, my friend.”

“Nonsense. I just felt we had fed the seagulls enough for one day.”

Chapter 50

CHAPTER 50

It is illogical to believe that bloated spending on parasitic entitlement programs exists within a vacuum, for these will put a drain on other worthy causes, such as our defense force, which our Constitution obligates us to maintain.

—LANCASTER R. HILL, 100 Neighbors, SAWYER RIVER BOOKS, 1939, P. 88

Lou led the charge through the fog-shrouded woods toward the south side of the castle. Cliff-climbing might have been Vaill’s forte, but trail running was squarely in his domain. He was in his element, moving by instinct and feel. The mist made it difficult to anticipate problems, but Lou could still spot precarious roots and rocks faster than most. Vaill ran just far enough behind him to make adjustments. Here, the forest floor was uneven, but the trees were dense, and were clearly helping to conceal their approach.

There was no debating whether to walk or run. Lost time could be the difference between Humphrey living and Cap losing his leg or quite possibly his life. The mist transformed the woods into the setting for a fairy tale. Knowing what awaited them beyond the forest’s edge made the scene even eerier. Lou’s eyes darted from his feet to what little he could see ahead and Vaill labored some, but still had little trouble keeping pace.

Soon, Lou saw diffused light in the distance. The trees began to thin. Slowing to a trot, he hid behind a tall pine. Vaill came up alongside him. He was breathing heavily and rubbing at the rainbow scar.

“Does running hurt that?” Lou whispered.

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

End of discussion.

Continuing to move from tree to tree, Lou led the way toward the light. To his right, he could hear the pounding of surf mixed with the cries of seagulls. He imagined the birds swooping through the fog, perhaps diving for morsels of the man who had just tried to kill him. The guard’s disappearance had to have been alerted inside the castle, and whatever men were still about, possibly Burke included, would come looking for him. Jogging now, Lou continued to use the trees for concealment. His exhaustion was gone. From behind, he could hear Vaill breathing heavily, but keeping up.

Tough guy.