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“I’ for”

Dirk Pitt was the Director of NUMA, a post he’d held for several years since his one on to be Vice President of the United States

At six foot three, Pitt was lean and a little on the lanky side His opaline eyes conveyed an intensity and a sense of mirth equally well With thick dark hair, broad shoulders, and a square jaw, he cut a striking figure That was especially true tonight, clad in a tuxedo, freshly shaved, and doused with a splash of ne

A charity ball for wounded , a cause Pitt was glad to be part of He would give a speech, present an award, and subht, he’dpeople Despite all that, Pitt knew the true star of the night would be his wife, Loren Smith

She’d chaired the ball, overseen the committees and the invitations, and even chosen the orchestra With her striking beauty and effortless charm, she would captivate all whom she encountered No doubt she’d look resplendent in whatever she wore, and ht reentleman who stood beside her Which suited him just fine

The only drawback was dressing for the evening They were going to be late if Loren wasn’t ready soon

Rather than badger her—which would only slow the process further—he stood calroup of perfectly restored antique cars The vehicles were part of his collection They graced the ground floor of the aircraft hangar he lived in at Washington National Airport

As the current Director of NUMA, and the head of the Special Projects Division prior to that, Pitt had been all around the world on various ar had corateful colleagues or thankful governments

To the victor went the spoils

Before he could decide which of the ht, the intercolanced at a monitor on the wall He saw the face of an old friend with a neatly trier men loomed behind him, no doubt members of the Secret Service

Pitt touched a button that released the locks on the steel door It swung open and the Vice President of the United States walked in The bodyguards tried to follow, but Sandecker waved them back

“At ease, men,” he said

“Mr Vice President,” Pitt said “I wasn’t expecting to see you until later on this evening To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I thought you ht have some time to talk before the event,” Sandecker said

Pitt glanced up the spiral staircase to the apartn of Loren yet “I think we’re onto the third wardrobe change,” he said “You probably have at least onereveal”