The Shooters (Presidential Agent 4)

"Yeah."

"Well, aside from saying that I don't think you could get arrested in Chicago for anything-Sergeant Mullroney has told both the mayor and the President of your courageous dash through fierce small-arms fire carrying Special Agent Timmons on your back…"

"Oh, Jesus!"

"…that's about all I have. I have to get to Buenos Aires."

"Why?"

"Well, I probably shouldn't tell you this, as it's classified. Nevertheless, we've decided to beef up our operation in Asuncion in light of what's happened there. Mr. Darby is going there to help Mr. and Mrs. Sieno get things straightened out. I want to see them before they go."

He put out his hand.

"It's been a pleasure meeting you, Colonel, and I wish you a speedy recovery."

[FOUR] 1040 Red Cloud Road

Fort Rucker, Alabama 1740 22 December 2005 Major General Harry Wilson, USA (Ret.), elected to park his Buick sedan on Red Cloud Road although he was fully aware that this was prohibited. There were several reasons he chose to do so, not the least of which was sitting next to him in the person of just-promoted Major General Crenshaw, the newly appointed post commander. Military Police only rarely ticketed post commanders for any nonfelonious breach of the law. Other reasons included that he and General Crenshaw had had several drinks on the flight from Texas, and he really could not handle more than one ounce of alcohol per hour.

Master Randolph Richardson IV was out of the Buick and up the lawn before either General Wilson or General Crenshaw could brief him on the best approach to the problems that were about to develop. Young Randy was holding something black and about the size of a shoe in his hand.

"Oh, shit!" General Wilson said.

"My thoughts exactly," General Crenshaw said. "But I'll deal with him."

"He's my son-in-law," General Wilson said.

"But I write the officer's efficiency report on the officer who writes his," General Crenshaw said.

"Point taken," General Wilson said. "You bring your animal and I'll bring the dead birds."

General Crenshaw opened the rear door and picked up a small animal more or less identical to the one Randolph Richardson IV had rushed to the door holding.

Generals Wilson and Crenshaw got to the door just as Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Richardson III opened it. His wife stood behind him.

"I made twenty takeoffs and landings," young Randy announced, then held up the soft black object in his hands for inspection. "And look at this!"

"You did what?" Mrs. Richardson asked.

"What is that?" Lieutenant Colonel Richardson asked.

"His name is Goliath," Randy answered. "General Crenshaw's got his brother, David."

"You did what?" Mrs. Richardson asked again.

"I made twenty takeoffs and landings in a Ryan PT-22," her son answered.

"That isn't one of those huge dogs Colonel Castillo had, is it?" Lieutenant Colonel Richardson asked.

"Not yet, Richardson," General Crenshaw said. "Right now Goliath and David are what they call puppies."

"Max had eight," Randy said. "Or his…the girl dog did. Colonel Castillo gave General Crenshaw one and he gave me one."

"How nice of him," Lieutenant Colonel Richardson said, c

arefully choosing his words. "But I'm not sure we'll be able to keep it, moving around the way we do."

"Nonsense," Generals Crenshaw and Wilson said, almost in unison.