The next thing Derek knew he was on the ground, vomiting, warm Coca-Cola coming up through his nose and Szechwan shrimp coming out of his mouth. The orange ball cap had come off and was under his cheek. He was still fighting for breath and seeing was almost impossible. He was frantically rubbing his eyes, but that only seemed to intensify the pain.

Without warning, a hard object slammed into his back, forcing him flat to the ground. Small hands grabbed his wrists and pulled his arms behind his back. Resisting any further was impossible and he felt the cold steel on his wrists and heard the clicks as the handcuffs tightened.

The officer got off him, and he experience a mild sense of relief when her knee was removed from his spine.

Through the pain, Derek could hear the female officer involved in a conversation with what he assumed was another police officer, but he couldn't make out what they were saying.

After what seemed like an eternity face down on the cold ground, he felt hands on either side of him, roughly lifting him to his feet. His breathing had improved slightly, and he could see a little better, but tears were still rolling down his cheeks and his face and eyes still felt as if they were covered in acid. He heard someone tell him he had the right to remain silent, but the rest of what they said was drowned out by his next bout of vomiting.

He was assisted in walking to the park exit and held for several minutes until a police cruiser pulled up.

By the time he was pushed into the back seat of the car, the effects of the spray were wearing off enough to see the bloody and abraded face of Rob when he half landed on him. Rob's face looked as if he'd fallen hard against the pavement and there was a terrified look in his eyes.

Pushing himself into a seated position, Derek noticed through the Plexiglas shield separating the front seat from the back, that there was a familiar looking navy blue gym bag with a white shoulder strap sitting on the front passenger seat.

Chapter Ten

DAY 939

Early the next morning Colonel Fitch was back at the Pentagon, this time seated in General Draper's private office. It was quite spacious, and there was a large rug in front of the General's desk. The emblem of the United States Army was imprinted in the rug in bright, eye-catching colors. Judging by its pristine appearance, Fitch got the impression that the unspoken rule was to walk around the rug, and not over it.

Numerous photos were displayed on the walls revealing the different units the General had served in during his career.

Matt was still annoyed at being blindsided by an unexpected conference with the President, even though it seemed as if his briefing to the Commander in Chief had gone better than he would have expected.