The Hostage (Presidential Agent 2)

"Sir," he said, when he saw Castillo and the others coming, "the Masterson family is alone up there."

"My name is Castillo. Would you please go up and tell Mrs. Masterson I'd like a brief word with her?"

"Sir, Mrs. Masterson asked that the family not be disturbed."

"Do it, Colonel," Colonel Torine ordered.

"Yes, sir," Lieutenant Colonel McElroy said, and started up the stairs.

Castillo looked down the cargo compartment of the Globemaster. Corporal Lester Bradley, now wearing his dress blue uniform, was standing almost at attention while talking to a Marine captain.

Castillo walked to them.

"You look very spiffy, Corporal," Castillo said.

"Thank you, sir."

"Captain, what's Corporal Bradley's role in the ceremony?"

"May I ask who you are, sir?"

"My name is Castillo."

"Phrased another way, Captain," Colonel Torine added, "he's the man."

The captain looked at them curiously, and then replied to Torine: "Sir, immediately after the ceremony, when the sergeant's remains are taken from the hangar, the corporal will meet up with the cask-"

"Captain," Castillo interrupted. "I told the gunny in Buenos Aires that Corporal Bradley will accompany Sergeant Markham's remains all the way home. I'm sure he passed that on to Sergeant Markham's buddies. I want that to happen. Make room for him in the ceremony."

"Sir, I'm not sure that will be poss-"

"Do it, Captain," Colonel Torine ordered flatly.

The captain considered that just long enough for it to be perceptible, then said, "Aye, aye, sir."

"Thank you," Castillo said. "I'll see you later, Bradley."

"Yes, sir."

Castillo saw Mrs. Masterson coming down the stairway and hurried forward.

"I'm glad you're here, Mr. Castillo. My father is here, and the less he knows about the threats made, the better. He has a heart condition."

"I understand," Castillo said. "Mrs. Masterson, this is Mr. D'Allessando. Have you ever heard of Delta Force?"

"There was a terrible movie," she said. "You mean there's really something like that?"

"Yes, ma'am, there is. The real Delta Force is made up of the best of Special Forces. They're not much like what you see in the movies, but they are really professional. Mr. D'Allessando has been associated with Delta for a long time, and he's brought twenty-four men here with him to make sure you and your family are all right."

"That's very reassuring," she said. "I'm really pleased to meet you, Mr. D'Allessando."

"I'm really sorry about your husband, ma'am," he said. "That shouldn't have happened."

"Thank you," she said.

Castillo saw a very tall, very slim man in an elegant double-breasted dark suit coming down the stairs.

My God, he looks just like Masterson! The only difference is the white hair and that absolutely immaculate pencil-line mustache.