Black Ops (Presidential Agent 5)

"How sad," Anna said. "Family?"

"Employee," Castillo said. He met Pevsner's eyes. "He died suddenly."

Three adolescents entered the room and politely, shyly, made their manners to Castillo. The girl kissed his cheek and the older boy shook his hand.

"Oh, where did that puppy come from?" Elena Pevsner said. She took him from her mother, matter-of-factly held him up to examine his belly, and finished. "He's adorable. What's his name?"

"That's up to you, sweetheart," Castillo said.

It took her a moment to take his meaning. "Really?"

Castillo nodded.

"Oh, Charley, thank you ever so much!"

"Honey," Castillo said, picking up the bag of puppy chow. "Why don't you take him someplace, get two bowls, put the bowls on newspaper, put water in one, and this in the other?"

"How much do I give him?"

"Honey, you're lucky. Dogs are like people. Some are pigs and eat whatever is put in front of them--then get sick and throw it up. The others, like Max and Nameless here, are gentlemen. They take only what they need, when they need it."

My God, her eyes are shining!

Like Randy's eyes.

I just did a good thing,

But if no good deed goes unpunished . . . ?

The maid appeared with a bottle of vodka encased in ice.

"Can Max come?" Aleksandr, the oldest boy, asked.

"If I can have him back," Castillo said.

The children left the room. Max trotted after them.

"That was a very nice thing for you to do, Charley," Pevsner said as he handed Castillo a small glass of the vodka. "Thank you."

"My son has his brother," Castillo said. "I thought Elena would like one."

"You saw your son?" Anna asked.

"His grandfather brought him to our ranch for quail hunting. I hunted with him, and then I started to teach him how to fly."

"And he doesn't know?" Anna asked softly.

Castillo shook his head.

"Oh, Charley!" Anna said, and went to him and laid her hand on his cheek and kissed him. "I am so sorry."

Castillo shrugged.

"Me, too, but that's how it is."

"Would you think me terribly cynical if I suspected there's more to your visit than bringing the children a puppy?" Pevsner asked.

"Alek!" Anna said warningly.