The Hostage (Presidential Agent 2)

"General, I really think the food is better now. But I sometimes wish I could eat some of these civilians a new asshole, like I could with cooks and KPs in the old Army."

"Sergeant, we all yearn for the old Army," McNab said. "But that was a first-class breakfast you just served us, and you can take pride in it."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

"Okay," McNab said, offered the sergeant his hand, and then turned to the others. "Okay, you clowns, get your asses out of low gear and get in the goddamn truck!" He turned back to the mess sergeant. "Oh, I really miss the old Army!"

The mess sergeant-now known as the dining facility supervisor-smiled broadly and followed them out of the dining facility. [THREE] Near Richmond, Virginia 0840 26 July 2005 "Washington Center," Fernando Lopez-who was now in the right seat-said into his throat microphone. "Lear Five-Zero-Seven-Five for direct Reagan National. We have special clearance Six-Dash-A-Dash-Two-Seven. Estimate Reagan in one zero minutes."

"Lear Zero-Seven-Five, you are cleared to Reagan Airport. Begin descent to five thousand feet at this time. Contact Reagan approach control on 122.7 at this time."

"Thank you, Washington Center," Fernando said, and switched frequencies. "Reagan approach control, Lear Five-Zero-Seven-Five."

"Zero-Seven-Five, Reagan. We have you on radar. Maintain current heading, airspeed, and rate of descent. Report when at five thousand feet."

"Reagan, Zero-Seven-Five understands maintain airspeed, heading, and rate of descent, reporting when at five thousand."

Fernando turned to Torine, who was in the pilot's seat-Castillo was now kneeling between them-and announced, "Now that, gentlemen, is the way a real pilot does it. He calls somebody important in Washington and makes sure he has a landing clearance before he takes off, thus ensuring-"

"Lear Zero-Seven-Five, Reagan approach control."

"What now?" Fernando wondered aloud.

"We have a saying in the Air Force, Fernando," Torine said. "Counteth not thy chickens until the eggs hatcheth."

"Reagan, Zero-Seven-Five," Fernando replied after keying the TRANSMIT button.

"Zero-Seven-Five, in-flight advisory. Be advised that U.S. Air Force C-37A Tail Number Zero-Four-Seven- that's a Gulfstream-entered United States airspace at one five past the hour."

Castillo had a sudden mental image of Special Agent Schneider wrapped in white sheets and bandages lying on the hospital configuration bed in the Gulfstream. His throat was suddenly tight and his eyes watered. He turned so that no one would see.

"Reagan," Fernando said. "Zero-Seven-Five acknowledges in-flight advisory. Furthermore, Zero-Seven-Five is at five thousand. I have the field in sight."

"Lear Zero-Seven-Five, change to Reagan tower, 119.1, at this time."

"Lear Zero-Seven-Five, roger."

Fernando switched frequencies. "Reagan tower, Lear Zero-Seven-Five, over."

"Reagan National clears Lear Zero-Seven-Five as number two to land, after the Delta 737 on Final."

XIV

[ONE] Office of the Secretary Department of Homeland Security Nebraska Avenue Complex Washington, D.C. 0925 26 July 2005 Major H. Richard Miller, Jr., was sitting behind Major C. G. Castillo's desk when Castillo, Torine, and Lopez walked in. Miller was wearing civilian clothing, a single-breasted, nearly black suit. His left leg was encased in a thick white cast from his toes to well past his knee. His toes peeked out the bottom of the cast, which was resting on the desk.

"Forgive me for not rising," Miller said. "I honestly try to be humble, but it is very difficult for someone of my accomplishments."

Castillo shook his head. "How's the leg?"

"Let me ask you a question first," Miller said. "Dare I hope to have the honor of serving in some humble capacity within the Office of Organizational Analysis?"

"Why not?" Castillo replied.

"In that case, Chief," Miller said, "how does it look? As if I am about to run the four-hundred-meter hurdles?"

"What we should do, Colonel," Castillo said to Torine, "is hold him down and paint those ugly toenails flaming red, and then listen to him trying to explain that he really likes girls."

"Speaking of the gentle sex," Miller said, "Jack Britton called from MacDill about ten minutes ago. He said the Gulfstream was about to take off for Philadelphia about five minutes ago. Quote, Betty is resting comfortably, and the pilot estimates Philadelphia at eleven-thirty, end quote."