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And then so else occurred to Stone That’s why I’e directly to me from the president

He decided to verify this speculation “I already have an assignment I’m supposed to leave tomorrow, in fact”

“Yes Well, plans are fluid aren’t they? One has to account for recent events”

“Does one?”

“A new arrangement is possible because of what happened in the park,” McElroy said bluntly

“Why? Simply because I was there?”

“Partly Plus, in the circles in question, I’ht you could be better deployed here than in more southern parts of this hemisphere”

So he does know about the Russians and the Mexican pipeline

“You becaerous”

“So was Iran in 1977 Didn’t stop you, did it?”

“My job You owe ”

“Actually, you’re not telling the truth”

Stone cocked his head slightly

McElroy continued, “I did soation afterwards You had already been authorized to return home In fact you were technically off duty The actual team that was supposed to come to my aid was ambushed en route Killed to ayou didn’t already know?”

With this observation Chapman eyed Stone with even deeper interest

“You were in trouble I was there You would have done the same for me”

“Not, I’m afraid, with the same successful results” He added quickly, “Not for lack of will But I could never shoot that straight”

“So just give me the basic outline”

“You investigate You succeed Then…” McElroy shrugged “What you were proed”

“And if I don’t succeed?”

McElroy said nothing

“Okay,” said Stone

“Okay, you’ll do it?”

“Yes”

“Excellent”

“So how is this all going to play out?” asked Stone “I’ve been on the outside a long time You don’t just jump back in”

“I pulled so He and your president are wonderful friends They golf, they go to war together You kno that is”

“So you’re saying?”

“I’ they decided it would be spot-on brilliant for you and Mary here to poke around a bit on this”

“Just so we’re clear, I’m not what I once was”

McElroy studied his old friend “Some remember you only for your extraordinary feats of physicality, for the aie that never wavered But I also reiest operatives that ever wore the stars and stripes Many tried to get you, some close to home But no one ever succeeded I’d say you are just what the doctor ordered And I think it would be personally beneficial for you too And not just for the obvious reasons”