The Shooters (Presidential Agent 4)

Leverette nodded.

"The verbal orders of our leader were 'You don't let that sonofabitch out of your sight until you can get him up here so I can ream him…a new rectal orifice.' Or words to that effect."

Castillo shook his head.

"You know the general, Charley. Any shooter gets shot, it's his fault for not shooting first."

The door opened, and was held open by a nurse.

A slight young man wearing dark glasses and tapping his way carefully with a white cane then entered, holding a very large dog on a leash.

Castillo grinned.

Lester, if those at Quantico could only see the Pride of the Marines now…

The dog, whining, very carefully put his feet on the bed and then licked first Colonel Castillo's left hand, then

his face.

"It's all right, nurse," Sergeant Major Jack Davidson said. He was wearing a white nylon surgeon's smock and had a stethoscope hanging around his neck. "I cleared it with the chief of staff. And actually, canine saliva has a certain germicidal quality."

The nurse shook her head but left, letting the door slowly close by itself.

[THREE]

Room 142

Hospital Britanico

Avenida Italia 2420

Montevideo, Uruguay 1650 24 September 2005 The very tall, well-dressed, somewhat ascetic-looking man entered the room without knocking and found himself facing a nice-looking teenage boy in a gray suit-who was holding a.45 ACP pistol aimed at his crotch. Beside the boy was the largest dog the man had ever seen, showing an impressive array of teeth and growling deeply.

The man quickly put up his hands.

"You must be Corporal Bradley," the man said.

"Who the hell are you?" Castillo demanded.

"My name is Frank Lammelle, Colonel. I'm the DDCI. Ambassador Montvale suggested I come to see you."

"You have any identification, sir?" Bradley demanded.

"It's okay, Lester," Castillo said. "I don't think he's making that up."

"May I put my hands down?"

Castillo nodded.

"And would you give the colonel and me a few minutes alone, please, Corporal?"

"Go get a Coke or something, Lester," Castillo ordered.

When the door had closed after Bradley, Lammelle said, "That looks very uncomfortable, Colonel."

"Until ten o'clock this morning, they had me literally twisting in the wind. That was worse."

"And now?"