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“But you sent s”

“Indeed I did And if you’d reported back tothe leaders of the white South, I would have had to do soe soroes”

“That’s why you didn’t answer rams?”

“It wasn’t convenient for me to hear fronificent stroke of luck when the Raiders Trial ca!”

He was bubbling, but I couldn’t keep silent any longer

“Luck? You call it a nificent stroke of luck? People died A toas torn apart”

He ignored ood fortune

“I know there was pain, Captain That’s to be expected Progress requires a certain a You did well, you worked hard, and eventually youit all under control I certainly chose the right man for the job” He stood up from the sofa

I stood as well “Is that all, Mr President?” I said

“The reporters are waiting, Ben I need you to help me explain what happened”

“Is that an order, sir?” I asked

He looked surprised “Well, no,” he said “Don’t you want to come?”

“No, sir,” I said “If I may, I respectfully decline”

Chapter 140

AS I LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE that day I noticed that hter There was an actual spring in ely, incredibly happy