By Order of the President (Presidential Agent 1)

“Yes, sir,” Lustrous said and looked at Major Naylor, who said, “Yes, sir.”

“What did he do to get the Medal of Honor?” Towson asked.

“Sir, are you familiar with Operation Lam Son 719?”

Towson searched his memory, then nodded.

“Mr. Castillo was on his fifty-second rescue mission, picking up downed chopper crews, when he was hit and his Huey blew up.”

“I know that story,” Towson said. “He kicked his copilot and crew chief out of his bird, told them there was no sense all of them getting killed. That young man really had a large set of balls.” He heard what he had said and added: “An unfortunate choice of words, right? I have an unfortunate tendency to do that.”

[FIVE]

Headquarters Eleventh Armored Cavalry Regiment Downs Barracks Fulda, Hesse, West Germany 1640 8 March 1981

“Sir, I have Frau von Gossinger on the line,” Sergeant Major Dieter called from the outer office.

“That’s ‘von und zu,’ Dieter,” Lustrous said, gestured for Major Naylor to pick up the extension on the conference table, and then picked up the telephone on his desk.

“Fred Lustrous here, Frau Erika,” Lustrous said.

“Good afternoon, Colonel.”

“There have been some developments in this situation,” Lustrous said. “I’d really like to discuss them with you in person rather than over the telephone. Would that be possible? ”

“Of course.”

“When would that be convenient for you?”

“Whenever it is for you,” she said. “Now, if you’d like.”

“I thought I would bring Netty with me,” Lustrous said, “and Elaine Naylor, and her husband, Major Naylor, who’s going to help us with this.”

“Of course.”

“It will take me, say, thirty minutes to go home, pick up the ladies, and change out of my work uniform, and then forty-five minutes or so to drive up there. That would make it a little after six-thirty. Would that be all right?”

“That would be fine, Colonel. And there is no necessity for you to change uniforms. And if you have the time, please take supper with us.”

“That’s very kind,” Lustrous said. “But I don’t want to impose.”

“Don’t be silly. It is I who is imposing on your friendship with my father. I will expect you sometime before seven. And thank you.”

There was a click as the line went dead.

Lustrous looked at Naylor.

“She said ‘supper with us,’ Colonel,” Naylor said.

“Yeah, I heard,” Lustrous said. Then he raised his voice: “Rupert!”

Sergeant Major Dieter put his head in the doorway.

“I heard,” he said. “You want me to drive you?”

“No, I think we’ll go in the Mercedes,” Lustrous said. “Will you make sure Colonel Stevens knows he’s minding the store?”

“Yes, sir,” Dieter said. “Sir, if you want I can give the ladies a heads-up.”