“Who was behind it? Was Al Qaeda in league with Kim?”
“Not this time. It was Chavez. You remember his Richelieu, name of Rafael Cabello?”
“Calls himself Adina?”
“And high marks to you, sir.”
“He was behind it?”
“Appears so. Which means he and I have some unfinished business.”
Sternlich let that sit for a moment, then asked, “What about the Jaber defection? Wasn’t the IRGC involved?”
“Apparently not. We’re still trying to piece that together, but it looks like it was Adina’s show and Jaber just got in the way. A lot of good people went down, and that Venezuelan sonuvabitch never even showed his face. Someday he will, though, and when he does, I’ll be there to—”
Sternlich held up his hand. “I get the idea,” he said, shaking his head slowly. “So now it’s Chavez. And the North Koreans. When does all this end?”
Sandor put down his glass and looked at his friend. “You know, Billy, I was asking myself the same question just the other day as I stood there and watched those people die on the Mississippi.”
“You come up with an answer?”
Sandor stared ahead without speaking. “No,” he finally said, “but I wish I could, I truly wish I could.” Then he lifted his glass and took a sip. “Until I do, though, I promise you — I’ll be on duty.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As I created this novel, I did my best to ensure authenticity with regard to locales, weaponry, and technology, as well as the inner workings of the military and the government departments described. With that goal in mind, I imposed upon many friends and associates for their advice and expertise, a list of generous people far too numerous to name. I trust that each of them knows the importance of their help.
I must nevertheless single out a few individuals for their contributions:
Rick Kutka is an armaments expert, as tough as his subject matter, who does not allow a shot to be fired, a helicopter to be boarded, or an explosive device to be detonated in any of my stories without first verifying the accuracy of the event and the equipment.
Michael S. Krause, USNA Class of 1963, CDR USNR, is not only a great friend but he is also the real deal when it comes to American service and heroism. His assistance was invaluable in describing naval operations, vessels and procedures. He also allowed me to use his name in the story, and it will not be the last time Jordan Sandor and I are going to call on him for help.
Captain Nicholas J. Lewis has been as close to me as any brother could have been for my entire life. He furnished information on ships, boats and marine practices that have been essential in taking the reader on this journey.
Thanks to my son Trevor for the creative ideas he contributed to the path of this novel.
And finally, my gratitude to a patriot who lives in the shadows, protecting this great country and our way of life without public appreciation or fanfare, without the world at large knowing, who asks for nothing more than the certainty that his work makes the sort of difference that it does.
Special thanks to my editor Kevin Smith for his fine work and support; my agent Robert Diforio for his never-say-die determination; the group at Simon & Schuster led by Louise Burke and Anthony Ziccardi for their faith; my son Graham for his encouragement; and my wife, Nancy, for her insight, honesty, and almost mystical patience in reading draft after draft of my work.
God bless you all, and God bless America.