"Huh? Oh, sorry."

"It's still hard, isn't it."

"It's not the sort of thing I was put together to deal with, if that's what you mean. I just can't imagine the Washington press corps won't dredge up every lurid detail. A year in prison isn't exactly what the American public would consider a ringing endorsement for the man taking care of their leader."

"My people assure me it won't be that bad. You took the punishment society gave you and you went on with a life of service to others. Even the nastiest of reporters knows it could have been them behind the wheel that night, and even the most jaded can appreciate what you've accomplished since then."

"Thanks for saying that."

"We both know it hasn't been easy."

"Or really all that successful. That kid would be over thirty now. Sometimes I find myself wondering what he might have grown up to be."

The statement, though absolutely true, seemed to catch Stoddard by surprise. For a time, the decorated Desert Storm fighter pilot, now commander in chief of the most powerful armed forces ever assembled, seemed unable to respond. Thirty-two years had passed since Fairhaven, and still Gabe's wounds were raw and, at times, festering.

"Gabe, I mean it," Stoddard said finally. "I came all the way out here personally because I really need you. The campaign is already taking its toll on my health. Headaches, stomach pains, insomnia, intermittent diarrhea. Name a symptom, I've had it. Jim's been secretly having neurologic tests run for headaches I've been having—migraines, he's been calling them. I need someone I can trust—someone who is above the Washington gossipmongers, someone I can bank the future of this country on."

"The FBI is still going full bore to find Ferendelli?"

"And the investigative arm of the Secret Service."

"If he's found and wants his job back, I'm coming home."

"You have my word."

"Damn, but I'm not excited about this, Drew."

"I know."

"I'm a frigging homebody. Except for the missions to Central America, the closest I come to going anyplace is reading Travel and Leisure magazine at the dentist's office. My partners love me because I'm always around to cover for them in case of any emergency."

"So they said."

"Dammit, Stoddard, why are you looking and acting like you already know I'm gonna cave in?"

Stoddard's boyish smile had probably won him 10 or 20 million votes in the last election.

"Because you're a good man, Dr. Singleton, and you know this is the right thing to do."

"How much time do I have to get ready?"

"According to Magnus's inquiries, two days should be enough."

"I'm looking forward to meeting up with this Magnus of yours."

"In D.C.?" Stoddard asked.

"In D.C., Mr. President."

CHAPTER 3