“Really,” the congressman said. “I mean, I’ve even heard that the mysterious Libyan bomber that took out Nidal’s stronghold bore a striking resemblance to a United States Air Force F-one-eleven.”
Shepherd shrugged and feigned he was baffled. “Well, anything’s possible, I suppose. But as far as I know, there aren’t any one-elevens stationed anywhere near the Middle East.”
“So I understand. The reason I’m asking is because many of my colleagues think some recognition is clearly in order for those who participated. I’ve even heard talk of COMs,” he said, referring to the Congressional Medal of Honor.
“Good. I couldn’t be more pleased. I think the men who carried out that mission are more than deserving, Mister Congressman. I urge you to support whatever recommendations are made.”
Gutherie nodded thoughtfully, then smiled. “Well, Major, you know the truth, and just between us, I think I do too. I can only conclude you’re declining recognition because it would force you to reveal the details of your recent experience, and you’ve been ordered not to do so.”
Shepherd shook his head no. “I don’t know where you got that idea, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“You’ll have to forgive me if I appear a little dense but I’m confused. You were reported killed over Libya and eulogized by the president. That same day, in this room, Mrs. Shepherd and I listened to a tape, a tape of your voice that indicated you were alive, the victim of some unspeakable conspiracy.”
“Yes, she told me about that. And I want to thank you again for assisting her in a most difficult time.”
Gutherie smiled at Stephanie, then turned his attention back to Shepherd. “I’d like to pursue this a little further, Major, if you don’t mind?”
“Not at all, please.”
“Several days after we listened to the tape,” Gutherie resumed, “Mrs. Shepherd called me from London and asked that I help you get into Libya. She said that my concerns about unauthorized covert activity were justified. She was desperate and refused to tell me more because she feared for your life.” He paused, glanced at Stephanie, and asked, “Is that a reasonably accurate account of our conversation?”
Stephanie nodded.
Gutherie challenged Shepherd with a look.
“I’ve never known my wife to lie,” Shepherd declared, putting his arm around her waist.
“Thereafter, you were branded a deserter and murderer and—”
“By the news media, yes. As a public figure, I’m sure you’ll agree just because it’s in print doesn’t mean it’s true.”
“Does it mean you’re confirming Colonel Qaddafi’s assertion that the media was used to put forth what we might call a cover story? That you were a participant in this operation and not its victim?”
“Please understand, I don’t mean to be difficult. All I can tell you is I participated in a military operation at the behest of our government,” Shepherd replied, reciting the story he had worked out with the Joint Chiefs. “Upon its completion I was assigned to serve with the Forty-eighth Tactical Fighter Squadron in England" — Shepherd paused and gestured to the boxes and disarray—"if we ever get packed.”
Gutherie nodded and forced a smile. “If I may, Major, I’d like to take another moment of your time, to impress on you that the people you’re protecting, whoever they are, are extremely dangerous; loose cannons who had their own agenda, who circumvented democratic procedures and operated outside the law.”
“You’ll have to take it on faith that I’m not protecting anyone, Mister Congressman.”
“Major Shepherd, I’m going to be forthright with you. I’m not sure anymore where you fit into all this; but be advised, it’s my job to see that those involved are brought to justice and I intend to do just that.”
“Since we’re being forthright, I can assure you that they have been brought to justice,” Shepherd said, reflecting on Kiley, Larkin, and Applegate, all of whom were dead. “Though I’m not so sure justice was properly served.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Shepherd paused thoughtfully before answering. “Well, Congressman Gutherie, I guess, if I owe anyone an explanation, it’s you. Now, off the record, and I mean I’ll deny I ever said this if I hear it repeated, these men you speak of — whoever they are — their methods were wrong, I grant you that. They were zealots. They broke all the rules. God knows they put me and my family through hell, and I certainly don’t condone their actions. But there was no personal gain involved for them.” Shepherd paused briefly, then added, “On painful reflection, I don’t think their motives were any different than yours or mine.”
“I find that very hard to accept, Major.”
“Well, it might be easier if you try looking at it from their point of view.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“That right down to their last breath, they had no doubt, no doubt whatsoever, that they had given their lives in the service of their country.”
Gutherie didn’t expect that; it stopped him; stopped him cold. “Thanks for your time, Major,” he said uncomfortably after a long silence. He let out a long breath, shook Shepherd’s hand, then nodded to Stephanie, and left.
“You think he’ll ever understand?” Shepherd asked as he enfolded Stephanie in an embrace.
“I don’t know,” she replied softly, her cheek nestled in the curve of his neck, her face aglow with the love and pride she felt for him; then she leaned away so he could see her eyes and said, “But I do.”