Finally, he said, "Well, Randy, your grandfather and General McNab, between you and me, are a little too fond of the bottle. When they've been at it, you just can't believe anything they say."
The boy smiled at him.
Castillo turned to Svetlana.
"Randy and I are about to ha
ve our breakfast. Following which, I will locate the ogre in his den and introduce Randy to him. Would you care to join us for either or both?"
"Ogre? Is that what you call General McNab?" Randy asked.
"Only behind his back," Castillo said.
"Do they have those flat little round cakes with that sauce they bleed from the tree?" Svetlana asked.
Randy looked at her in confusion a moment, then understood. "If you're talking about buckwheat pancakes with genuine Vermont maple syrup, yes, ma'am, they do."
"Can you handle calling room service, Randy?" Castillo asked.
"Yes, sir."
"And while he's doing that, my Carlos, you can put on your pants."
[THREE]
It was not necessary to locate the ogre in his den.
As they were finishing their breakfast, there came a knock at the door. Castillo opened it, and through it marched Lieutenant General Bruce J. McNab, now in camouflage BDUs, trailed by Lieutenant Colonel Peter Woods and Major Homer Foster, similarly attired.
"I see I'm wrong," McNab greeted them. "That does happen from time to time, despite what you've probably heard."
"Sir?"
"You're out of bed. I gave Foster ten-to-one we'd have to throw you out of bed and then watch you eat."
McNab walked into the living room.
"You look like you're about to attack Baghdad," Svetlana said.
"Good morning," McNab said to her. "And I've already done that twice." He turned to Woods. "Get the others up here."
"Yes, sir," Woods said, and headed for the telephone.
McNab spotted Randy.
"I thought it was the young females of the species who wore wet T-shirts," he said.
"General," Castillo said, "this is Randolph Richardson the Fourth."
"Really?" McNab said. He looked at Castillo. "I know your father."
Jesus H. Christ!
Did everybody know but me?
McNab redirected his attention to the boy. "And, of course, your grandfather. If you will give me your word to give General Wilson my best regards, I will give you my word that I will keep that cross-dresser's wet T-shirt between us."
Randy grinned as McNab shook his hand.