Excerpt



Clark put his hand on her shoulder. Ive got to look for the senator. Well visit more later, okay?

Cathy nodded. She was intent on tending the injured passenger.

Clark hurried down the beach and began to search the group huddled around the fire. As he did, he heard someone call his name. Looking into the shadows, he recognized the senator lying in the sand with his head supported by a seat cushion.

Kneeling, Clark asked, Senator, how are you?

Not well.

Clark began to examine the senators body for injuries. I dont see any serious cuts. Are your legs okay?

Its inside me. Something is badly torn up.

Ill see if I can find a doctor or someone with medical knowledge.

No, please, dont leave me. Ive got to tell you some things.

But, Senator, well have time to talk later. Ive got to get professional help for you.

Believe me, I dont have much time. I doubt if anything can be done at this point.

The senator reached to grab Clarks arm, drawing him close as he cleared his throat coughing. Clark thought he saw blood.

There are things I didnt tell you when we talked earlier on the plane. I wanted to, but I was afraid. This may be my last opportunity.

Clark sat down close to the senator and took his hand.

First of all, tell your friend the search for his son is over. To the best of my knowledge, all the MIAs are dead. A year ago, a young, new senator came to me distraught, seeking my counsel. He had been placed on the oversight committee responsible for intelligence gathering. In the process of getting acquainted with his responsibilities, he had come across top secret documents that not only confirmed our governments knowledge of American prisoners left in North Vietnam as hostages but also documented that they had been terminated. He even showed me some of the documents and pictures of what had been done to the final survivors. I could see why he was shocked and angry.

He could have gotten in deep trouble for revealing the information, even to me. I explained to him that this was part of the burden he would have to bear if he stayed in his position. But, I admit, it shook me, too. Coming on top of all the information Joseph and Mike showed me, it brought me to the breaking point. I realized Mike might some day end up being betrayed and forsaken by the very system I had approved and covered up all these years.

The senator shivered and coughed violently as he tried to clear something from his lungs.

Senator, youd better rest.

No, Ive got to get this off my conscience before I die. Youve got to promise me that youll share this with Mike and Joseph. Let them know I did listen to them. I did get right with God. Ive left damning evidence that perhaps Mike and you can use against the real enemies of America. Maybe Mike and Joseph can find it in their hearts to forgive me.

With that, he began to weep. The crying made him grab his stomach and groan in pain.

Ill tell them. I promise.

The senator struggled to speak. Good. You guys are on the right track, but youve got to watch your back. The men youre fighting will stop at nothing to get their way nothing! Theyre ruthless! My god, Im probably the reason this plane was taken down!

The senators voice grew so weak that Clark had to lean close to his face to hear him. The last words were repeated several times.

Im so sorry, Im so sorry. God, have mercy on me. Im sorry . . .

Clark felt for a pulse and barely found it. He suspected serious internal injuries. He waited a few minutes to the see if the senator revived. After no signs of consciousness, he decided to look for a blanket. Finding one close by the waters edge, he wrung it out and covered the senator. His actions were to no avail. He placed his fingers on the senators neck but felt no pulse. Clark turned away from his dead friend and sat on the sand, his head in his hands. He wanted to cry, to strike out at something. His mind blazed with questions for the senator. In the midst of all the thoughts was a big Why? directed at God.