Johnny Coleman, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

 

Though he had no operational command in the position, he was outranked only by

the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. And because the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

was with the Air Force, Coleman outranked all the other Army four-stars. Coleman

had been one of Fighting John Puller’s junior officers, before going on to carve

out a legendary career of his own. “What do you think he wants?” asked Puller as

they walked along. “It’s either going to be really good news or really bad

news,” replied his older brother. “You heard what happened to Jericho?” asked

Puller. “I heard,” said his brother. “They never found Rogers.” “Heard that

too.” “If it was him, how did he find out where she lived? That was classified.”

“No idea,” said Robert.

 

They reached Coleman’s offices. The flag of the Vice Chair was the American bald

eagle with its wings spread horizontally. Its talons gripped three arrows, and

thirteen red and white stripes representing the original colonies on a shield.

It was a regal and intimidating image, and Coleman presented the same figure.

 

He was a big man, six-four and north of two-fifty, with a broad, thick chest and

a grip of iron. His gray hair was cut very short and his voice was a bullhorn

that had been used to lead men for nearly four decades now.

 

He was in his dress blues, with shelves of medals and ribbons. As he told the

brothers as he led them into his interior office, he had a formal event to

attend after their meeting.