Joint Base Andrews

tified main gate. She wore a sharply tailored black s

armed with M4 rifles, steppe

ma'am," the tal

handed over a solid black card emb

instantly flashed a soft, pulsing blue light-the univers

boots snapped together as they

m," the MP said, his vo

Allison drove onto the restricted tarm

ed from the gray sky. The deafening roar of its engines vibr

fully armed honor guard marched down

shoulders, walked briskly toward Allison. His face

snapped to attention. In his hands, he h

on," General Vance said, his

e fabric scraped against her palms. Her throat

rcraft. They carried two black velv

The haunting, mournful notes of "T

jaw to lock, refusing to let a single tear fa

re the best CIA operatives we had. And you were the best o

rriage, General," Alliso

sified transfer manifest from

ned her maiden name, Kramer, pre

ecured the urns in the b

delivered a flawless, razor-sharp

newly purchased, unregistered temporar

shed an unknow

for three seconds b

ed through the speaker. "The caterers are here

rearview mirror at the

oking," Kason continued, his tone dripping with arrog

le touched the corner

d the red button, powered the phone down

ive and headed toward the L

past two years. Ironing his shirts. Swallowing his mother's insults. Hidin

ulled up to the towering wrought-

the cheap sedan. He stepped out, ready to s

isible sneer as he hit

rble fountain. She turned off the

o heavy urns into her arms, and walked to