defiantly across her chest, Jones asked, âAre you done?â
Rapp strained to keep from reaching out and slapping her. With a clenched jaw he replied, âNo. This morning while you were yapping on your cell phone and picking up your triple mocha frappuccino, or whatever the hell it is that you drink, a cargo plane landed out in San Diego. Do you know what it was carrying?â
Jones glared at Rapp with unvarnished hatred. No one, not even the president, had ever spoken to her this way. âNo.â
âTwo flag-draped caskets, Valerie.â Rapp help up his fingers. âThere were little kids, wives, and some grandparents there to meet those caskets. Their lives are turned upside down. The men they loved, the men they adored, the men they idolized are gone forever. They are feeling pain right now that you canât even begin to understand, and all because a couple of self-important bureaucrats over at the State Department couldnât keep their damn mouths shut!â Rappâs eyes were filled with rage. âIf I had it my way, Valerie, Iâd march Ambassador Cox and Assistant Secretary Petry out in front of a firing squad and have them shot.â
Jones flapped her arms and roared, âI canât believe Iâm hearing this.â She looked around for someone to second her opinion, but no one backed her up. Dumbfounded, she looked back at Rapp and said, âI think youâve lost it.â
âI lost it a long time ago, Valerie, and I could give a ratâs ass what you think of me. Iâve been on that beach thousands of miles away. Iâve crawled out of the surf wondering if Iâm going to catch a bullet right between the eyes.â Rapp marked the spot with his index finger. âIâve seen a helicopter filled with young men blown from the sky because an arrogant senator couldnât keep his mouth shut.â
Jonesâs arms were again folded across her chest and in a disinterested tone she said, âIâm well aware of what youâve done for a living.â
Rapp stood with his feet firmly planted, seething with anger. âI can take a lot of crap from people, Valerie, but one thing I canât stand is a lack of gratitude. Iâm one of those guys on the beach getting shot at, trying to do the right thing, risking it all for love of country, duty and honor. Words that mean nothing to you. Iâve been there and you havenât.â He pointed at her. âNo Starbucks coffee, no dinners at Mortonâs, no warm baths. Just a lot of bugs, salty MREs and the comforting thought that there are a lot of self-centered Americans who will never be able to appreciate the sacrifice youâve made.
âSo, yeah, I guess Iâve lost it a bit,â Rapp said in a calmer voice, âand thatâs why Iâm not going to let you protect those arrogant assholes over at the State Department. The CIA had Ames, the FBI had Hanssen and now the State Department is going to have Cox and Petry. Things are going to get real uncomfortable for the ambassador and the undersecretary, and that piece of shit General Moro is going to get his, I can promise you that.â
Jones still stood defiantly and asked for a second time, âAre you done?â
Rappâs face actually broke into a smile. He looked at the president for a moment. Hayes was notorious for letting his aides battle it out. His motto was that heâd rather get it all out in the open than let it fester under the surface.
Looking at Jones, Rapp thought, I canât believe I actually saved this womanâs life. Shaking his head, he said, âIâve got one last thing to say. If it wasnât for me, Valerie, youâd be dead.â Rapp turned and started for the door. Over his shoulder he said, âSo Iâd appreciate a little more gratitude.â When Rapp reached the door he opened it and looked back at Jones. âOh, and by the way, youâd better
Adriana Hunter, Carmen Cross