Black Sun

President Henderson offered his thanks, and the thanks of the nation. He explained the story that was being released in bits and pieces.

“We’re telling the world that a joint effort between the United States, Mexico, Russia, and China has averted this catastrophe. Of course, the ranks of the conspiracy theorists are ru

“I’m guessing that very few are buying that,” McCarter offered.

The president shrugged. “Conspiracy theories are a growth industry. I’m just glad they don’t need a bailout.”

McCarter laughed. “It would be appropriate if we could find a way to credit the Mayan people, their religion. They kept this legend alive for thousands of years. In the face of all they’ve been through since the Europeans reached the Americas, they maintained their beliefs and that was the key.”

The president seemed to make a mental note of this. “No doubt you’re correct,” he said, with great sobriety. “I’ll make sure we discuss it with our counterparts in Mexico.”

Danielle asked the next question. “And what about Saravich? Where is he?”

“He’s been treated and released,” the president said.

“Released to where?” she pressed.

“He’s boarding a British Airways flight to London,” the president said. “From there it’s direct to Moscow.”

“And then what?”

Hawker could hear the concern in her voice, perhaps more plainly than she’d like. But she’d told Hawker the story. Saravich had saved her, and together they had saved him. His brother had saved Yuri from the Russian Science Directorate and then from freezing to death on the Arctic ice. By extension those acts had helped save them all. In both cases the men had violated the directives they’d been charged with. Hawker’s kind of people.

“Don’t worry about him,” the president replied. “Ivan Saravich is a hero of the Russian people. Like the three of you, he is a hero to the world at large. The leaked story will indicate that his guards were killed in the battle with Kang and his army, but that his actions were instrumental in destroying that army, which they were. And if I know anything, I’d guess that Ivan Saravich will become a Russian celebrity of some sort and enjoy a long and honored life.”

Danielle sat back, seeming satisfied and hopeful.

“And what about us?” McCarter asked.

This time Stecker answered. “In your case,” he began, “it’s simple. First, you’ll be sworn to secrecy under the Anti-Espionage Act of 1949. Under the terms of that act—”

“Oh, spare me,” McCarter said, holding up a hand.

“I’ve been down this road before. I get it. I promise you, I have no intention of returning from sabbatical to a

He paused, then added, “Although maybe I should. They’d probably send me on another sabbatical, this time for mental health reasons.”

Hawker almost laughed. The feeling bubbled up within him and he just barely held it back. Without seeing the truth, it was too absurd to believe.

Across the table, even the president smiled. He turned to Stecker. “I’m thinking we can cross that one off the list.”

“And what about Hawker?” Danielle asked, attacking like a good lawyer.

Moore reacted first. And Hawker guessed there were additional considerations, no doubt involving the CIA.

Fine with him. If ever there was a time to fight it out, this was it.

“A deal has been crafted,” Moore said.

Before Hawker could reply, Danielle jumped to his defense. “There’s no need for a deal here. I mean, my God, what could he possibly still owe you?”

“Nothing,” Moore admitted. “In fact, it’s my understanding that he’s come into a large sum of money. Enough to make certain that he’ll never owe anyone anything.”

Moore looked at him. “If I were you,” he said, “I’d take that money and disappear, and never work another day in my life.”

Hawker leaned forward. “And on the odd chance I don’t want to do that?”

Moore raised an eyebrow. “Then you can have a full pardon,” he said. “Or a grant of immunity at all levels, or whatever you want to call it, accompanied by the CIA’s express, written apology for the situation they put you in years ago.”

As Moore spoke, Stecker squirmed, but he made no move to refute what was being said.

“In return for what?”

“Your agreement to continue working as an agent of the United States for the next five years.”

“Undercover,” Hawker said to clarify. “For the CIA?”

“No,” Moore said. “For the NRI.”

Hawker sat back, surprised.

“You don’t have to do this,” Danielle interjected. “You can still go find that beach.”

Yes, he could still go. And where would it lead him? Out on his own again. Certainly she didn’t mention coming with him.

“There is a catch,” Moore said.

Only one? Hawker thought. Must be a hell of a deal.

Moore cleared his throat again, and it seemed to Hawker as if he were looking for the words.

“Among other things,” Moore said, “it is your particular status in the world, as a known pariah of sorts, that makes you uniquely valuable. As has been discussed among the three of us behind closed doors, you are a unique asset in all the world. You can go to places we could never get an agent; you can find your way into organizations that would be impossible for us to infiltrate or even get close to without ten years to set up a cover. For you to be most effective, you’ll need to maintain that status.”

Moore cleared his throat again. “In other words,” he said, “it must appear as if you are still on the run. Which means you will have to leave the United States within twenty-four hours.”

The words were like a dagger to the heart. He looked over at Danielle.

“Give me a few hours to think about it,” he said.

“I think we can do that,” the president said.

And with that the meeting adjourned. Stecker left immediately, muttering to himself. The president shook hands with all three heroes and then left with the Secret Service. Moore lingered, speaking to Danielle, before departing.

And then Hawker, McCarter, and Danielle were left looking at one another.

“What are you going to do?” Hawker asked McCarter. “Maybe you should join up full-time. I mean look, they want to hire me; they must be desperate.”

McCarter laughed. “No thanks,” he said. “I have a son and a daughter who both have their mother’s eyes. I’m going to go see them, and stay until I’m driving them crazy. Might even reprise my Moses Negro look.”

He laughed. “At the very least I have a couple of great stories to tell my grandkids, while they’re still young enough to believe them.”

Danielle hugged him.

“Stay in touch,” she said.

“I will,” he promised.

McCarter shook Hawker’s hand and then they hugged.

“Stay out of trouble,” Hawker said.

“Godspeed,” McCarter told him. “Whatever you decide.”

McCarter left to collect his things and Hawker found himself looking at Danielle, fixed on her eyes. Lost for a moment.

“So what are you going to do?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Want to help me figure it out?”

“Yeah,” she said.

“I got to go get my stuff before the nurse burns it,” he said.

“You have stuff?”

“A few things.”

She smiled. “All right. Meet me downstairs. I’ll wait for you.”

Danielle went back to her room, thrilled to be leaving, excited for a chance to be out in the free world again.

As she was packing up her stuff, the door opened. From the corner of her eye, she saw a huge bouquet of flowers. Somewhere behind it stood a man.