Adler gave the slightest nod. “Yes, sir.”
Giving Adler’s shoulder a light tap, he turned to open the car door. “Okay. Just wanted to set the record straight.” He removed his cap, then slid behind the steering wheel. “Let’s move.”
“Morning, captain, lieutenant,” Zach said, standing behind his desk as the two came into the office. He put a pencil behind his ear, then picked up an armful of file folders.
“Morning, Zach,” the two responded. They tucked their caps under their left arms. Grant removed his sunglasses and slipped them into his shirt pocket.
“The admiral said for you to go in as soon as you got here, sirs.”
As Grant turned toward the door, Adler said, “Think I’ll have a cup of coffee, skipper, until you’re ready for me to come in.”
Grant knocked on the door. “Come,” Torrinson said.
Grant closed the door behind him. “Morning, admiral,” he said as he walked to the desk, bracing at attention.
“Morning, Grant. Have a seat. I’ll be right with you as soon as I sign these last two papers.” Grant complied, then put his cap on the corner of the desk. Torrinson dropped the papers in the basket, finally looking up at Grant, as he leaned back against his chair. “So, Grant, how you feeling today?”
“I’m doing better, sir, but I’ve still got those exercises for my shoulder.”
“I know you swim almost everyday, right?”
“Usually I do, sir, but doc advised I give the ribs a couple more weeks, just in case. Sure don’t like being this way, sir, you know, not a hundred percent.”
“I’m sure you don’t, Grant.” Torrinson leaned against his desk, tapping his pen on the green blotter. “You said you were going to Arlington this morning.”
“Yes, sir. Joe and I just came from there.”
Seeing a look in Grant’s eyes, Torrinson said, “It’s never easy, Grant.”
“No, sir. It never is.”
“Oh, by the way. I went over to CIA yesterday afternoon. Had some final business with Director Hannigan. While I waited in the lobby, I noticed another star was added to the Memorial Wall. Agent Mullins’ name is now in the Book of Honor.”
“Glad to hear that, sir. He deserves to be there, you know? It’s one of the few times the Agency’s done something right, sir,” Grant commented with all seriousness.
Knowing Grant’s feelings toward the Agency, Torrinson couldn’t help but smile, while he nodded his head in agreement. “I have a feeling President Carr had something to say about it.”
“Tony was a damn good agent, admiral,” Grant replied emphatically. “CIA shouldn’t have needed a ‘push’ from the President.”
“I fully agree, but it’s over, Grant. They made it right.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, by the way, I’ve got something for you,” Torrinson said, as he opened his middle desk drawer, pulling it against his stomach. “Promised I’d have these for you when you got back.” He lifted out two packages of Snickers candy and pushed them across the desk in front of Grant. “Up to you if you want to share with Joe.”
“Appreciate it, sir. Thank Mrs. Torrinson for me.” He smiled, then said, “Why don’t you have Joe come in?”
Once Adler was seated, Torrinson asked, “So, have you been to see Colonel and Mrs. Moshenko?”
“We have, sir,” Grant answered. “Stopped in last night. It was sort of surreal, you know, seeing them here. I’m just relieved Joe got them out safely, sir.” Adler gave Grant a sideways glance. Grant continued, “Only one problem I can see, admiral.”
Torrinson sat up straighter and asked with concern, “Oh, no. What problem is that?”
“Well, sir, just can’t get used to calling them Uri and Natasha Leonov! It just doesn’t roll off the tongue quite like ‘Moshenko,’ sir.”
Torrinson let out a relieved sigh, then laughed, “Okay, okay. Those are the names CIA decided on, so that’s the way it is.”
“Yes, sir,” Grant answered with a sly grin.
“By the way,” Torrinson said, leaning back, “I got a call from Rachel, the President’s secretary. The two of you have a personal meeting with the President this afternoon at 1400 hours. Believe he has something for both of you.”
“Sir?”
“Think it’s something for your uniforms.”
“All right, sir,” Grant answered. He and Adler gave each other a quick look.
“Now, gentlemen, I know you both want to discuss something with me.” Torrinson picked up a pen and started tapping it on his desk. “You’ve had time to mull things over, and I know you’ve talked to one another.
“I realize this has to be one of the toughest decisions of your lives. So tell me. Do either of you, or do both of you want to ‘hang it up’ and resign your commissions?”
Grant and Adler both looked at each other then back at Torrinson. Grant responded, “Not us, sir. Somebody must’ve fed you wrong intel!”
Acknowledgements:
Margaret Hughes, RN, BSN, for lending her medical expertise and friendship.
For family and friends for their continued support and vital encouragement.
BTF — Thanks!
Navy SEALs and all SpecOps — Thank you for your service and dedication in keeping America safe, and protecting anyone, anywhere, anytime when called upon. You make us proud!