The Escape (John Puller, #3)(151)

Puller placed the pen on top of the confession and sat back watching her.

Reynolds stared at him for a moment longer before her gaze went back to her daughter on the screen.

“So you’re going to coerce me, threaten me into a confession?” she said dully.

“No, I’m encouraging you as best I can to tell the truth. The facts that you will provide to corroborate the statements in the confession will leave no doubt as to your guilt. And if your testimony leads to other spies or traitors being caught, so much the better.”

“And you think the Russians won’t try to kill me if I do cooperate?” she shot back.

“Solitary confinement in a federal prison, Susan. We’re the best friends you have right now. That’s the only place they won’t be able to get to you.”

Slowly, very slowly, her right hand reached out and took up the pen. After she signed the document she looked at him. “You really are a heartless prick.”

“That must be why we get along so well,” he said back. “Because so are you.”

He scooped up the paper and pen, rose, and walked out the door without once looking back.





CHAPTER





75



PULLER ADJUSTED HIS tie and then slipped on his jacket. He buttoned it up, made sure every one of his decorations was in the proper place, and then picked up his cover and put it under his arm.

His brother was waiting for him in the kitchen, also in his dress uniform, his cap riding under his arm too. His other arm was still in a sling from the injury.

“You ready, Colonel Puller?”

“I’m still technically a major, Junior. Lieutenant colonel status hasn’t come yet.”

“Matter of time. Bet you’re one of the youngest one-stars in Air Force history.”

Robert plucked an errant thread off his brother’s jacket. “We’ll see. I’ve got two years’ worth of catching up to do.”

“You ready to head out?” asked Puller.

“Let’s take a minute,” said his brother.

Puller was surprised by this. “Not having second thoughts, are you?”

Robert sat down. “No, it’s not that.”

“What then?”

“Knox told me you talked to her about Mom.”

Puller sat down, his features turning angry. “I told her that in confidence.”

“Blame me, Junior. After that exchange I heard between you before she staged killing me, I asked her about what had happened between you two.”

“Nothing happened,” snapped Puller.

“But I take it something could have?”

Puller didn’t answer right away. “Yes, it could have. But how does that tie into Mom?”

“Knox told me the most memorable moment from that night was your opening up about our mother. Knox had never seen that side of you. She told me it astonished her how sensitive, how loving you sounded when talking about Mom.”

Puller said nothing to this. He just stared down at the floor.

Robert said, “I miss her too, Junior. Think about her every day. Wondering if she’s still alive. And—”

Puller broke in, speaking forcefully. “And whether it was her choice to leave us?”

“What do you think?” asked Robert.

“I think,” began Puller, “that it’s one mystery I’ll never solve.”

Robert put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Well, now you have me back to talk about it with. To talk about a lot of things. And you don’t have to fly to Leavenworth to do it.”

“A dream come true, Bobby. To have my big brother back.”

Robert rose. “I was thinking the very same thing, little brother. Now let’s go do this.”

They drove north. Puller parked in the lot and the two brothers walked into the facility together, removing their caps as they did so. They walked down the hall. As they drew closer to their destination Robert slowed.

“Do you really think this is a good idea?” he said.

“Yes. And you did too, apparently, until about two seconds ago.”

“I guess I’m just a little nervous.”

“Join the crowd. I’m nervous every time I come here. I’d rather take on a convoy of damn Taliban.”

Puller nudged his brother’s elbow and they kept walking. Puller nodded at a nurse he knew.

She said, “He’s up in his chair.”

“Does he know we’re coming?”

“I told him. Whether it registered or not, I don’t know.”

She looked up at Robert. “I’m glad you were able to come, sir.”

“Finally able to come,” said Robert.

Both brothers drew deep breaths and Puller opened the door and stepped in. Robert followed.

The door swung shut behind them and the two stood side by side in their pristine dress uniforms.

Across the room, in his chair, sat their father.

John Puller Sr. was dressed differently today. Usually his outfit consisted of a T-shirt and blue hospital scrub pants with slippers on his feet. His white hair was typically in disarray, his face unshaven.

This morning he had been shaved, his hair was combed, and he was dressed in pants and a collared shirt. Loafers were on his feet.