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"They can wait until I search the Chalmette for Loren"

"My job You go to the capital while I go to Miaed"

Pacified to a sree, Pitt relaxed on the bed "What about Moran?"

"He couldn't wait to cut out," Giordino said angrily "He de and fly hiht ashore I had a minor confrontation with him in the hospital corridor after his routine exa his hook nose down his gullet The bastard didn't dehtest concern about Loren, and he seehted when I told him of Larimer's death"

"He has a talent for deserting those who help hiustedly

An orderly rolled in a wheelchair and together with Giordino eased Pitt into it A groan escaped his lips as a piercing pain ripped through his chest

"You're leaving against my express wishes," said the doctor "I want that understood There is no guarantee you won't have complications if you overtax yourself"

"I release you fro

"I won't tell a soul I was your patient Your medical reputation is secure

Giordino lain a pile of Navy-issue clothing and a small paper sack in Pitts lap "Here's some presentable clothes and the stuff from your pockets You can dress on the plane to save time"

Pitt opened the sack and fingered a vinyl pouch inside Satisfied the contents were secure and dry, he looked up at Giordino and shook hands "Good hunting, friend"

Giordino patted him on the shoulder "Don't worry I'll find her

You go to Washington and give'em hell"

No one could have suffered from a Rip Van Winkle syndrome and awakenedto sleep on the presidential yacht almost teeks earlier, and his next conscious sensation was being dragged into a limousine somewhere in the river country of South Carolina The i Russian cruise ship seeton and found both Congress and the Supreme Court evicted from their hallowed halls did he come back on track and retrieve his mantle of political power

With the government in emotional and political shambles, he saw his chance to fulfill his deep, unfatho the popular support to take the office by election, he was deter, Larimer out of the way, and the President lain open for impeachment, there was little to stop him