ROBERT PULLER WAS in his dress blues. Not out of respect for the person opposite

him. He had no respect for her. The dress uniform was about him. Claire Jericho

eyed him across her desk. She said, “I think the lecture at the Pentagon was the

last time we saw each other. Quite a while.” “I’ve been busy, so have you.” “And

of course you had your little prison sojourn at Leavenworth.” “It was a good

time to think and read. No interruptions.” “Your career is back on its

accelerated path, I’m told.” “And you’re still doing what you’ve always done.”

“You’re far more subtle than your father.” “My brother told me you and our

father had met. Didn’t quite see eye to eye?” “I was trying to spare your

brother’s feelings. It was actually more aptly a tank battle.” “My dad led men

on the ground. He didn’t see the need to be tucked away in armor. He had enough

of his own.” “Merely a metaphor.” “And I’m not here to talk about him. I’m here

to talk about my mother.” “So I understand.” “You got my email?” She said,

“Cryptic. I appreciate the effort.” “It’s why I’m here in person. To conclude

the arrangement.” “It’s delicate.” “And also straightforward.” “With assurances

that this has been signed off on at the highest levels? There will be no

blowback?” “I think I covered that in my cryptic email.” She picked up a pen and

twirled it between her fingers. “Is it really that important to you?” “You’re a

mother, correct?” “Was a mother, since my daughter was murdered.” “And you still

don’t understand the reason I’m here, then?” “I understand the sentiment. I’m

just wondering if it’s worth all this fuss.” Robert Puller gripped the edge of

his chair to keep himself from launching across the desk and gripping her neck.

“Well, I think it is worth the fuss.” “So Rogers, then, in exchange?” Robert

nodded. “And my brother and his friends will walk away from this unharmed in any

way.” “So your cryptic email said. But I’m not so sure about that. They did