A Far Justice Read Free Page B

confident Renée would find out and tell him. The image of a naked Denise waiting in a bed flashed in his mind’s eye. He considered making an offer, but dropped it. “I’m quite sure our bureaus can identify at least a dozen or so names and, ah, provide all the required ‘help’ the court will require. Of course, our role in all this must remain secret to avoid complications with the EU.” He thought for a moment. “But taking one of these people into custody may be a problem.”
    “Americans love to travel,” she replied. “I’m quite sure something will present itself.”
    “I will speak to the prime minister this morning.”
    Denise leaned forward. “I can move forward on a moment’s notice.”
     
     
    NATO Headquarters, Belgium
    Aly held onto Gus’s arm as they walked down the quiet halls of NATO’s headquarters, and she was proud to be part of his family. Gus and Jason had spent five wonderful days on her family’s farm and the two big Americans had done yeoman labor helping her father build a new barn to breed and raise pigs. Her mother had repeatedly commented on how they looked more like brothers than father and son, and Aly suspected that her mother had a crush on the elder Tyler. But who could blame her? Now Gus was wearing his new uniform and was going to administer the oath to Jason so he could re-enlist. Aly van der Nord overcame the no-nonsense part of her Dutch nature and decided she loved her future father-in-law.
    The man waiting for them was a younger, but much bigger and more muscular version of Gus. “We’re doing it in SACEUR’s conference room,” Jason told them. “The general is going to be there.” He held the door and led them down the hall. “I believe you know General Hammerly.” General Douglas Hammerly, US Army, was the new Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
    “I met Doug during the Persian Gulf war in Saudi Arabia when he was an up-and-coming major. They called him ‘the Hammer’ then.”
    “We still do,” Jason admitted. “What the general wants, the general gets. We’ve got a videophone so Mom and Michelle can watch.”
    “That’s super,” Gus said, feeling not quite so guilty. He had been away far too long and it was time he returned home. They entered the conference room where the video camera was set up and six other security cops were waiting. An airman dialed Sacramento and Michelle’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “We’re all here,” Gus’s daughter said, “and Mom can hear and see you all.”
    “Hi, Hon,” Gus said. “I’m catching a flight out of Schiphol tonight and should be home tomorrow.”
    “Mom says she’ll be here,” Michelle replied.
    General Hammerly came through the side door that led to his office and extended his hand. “Gus Tyler, it has been a while.”
    “1991,” Gus said, recalling the time they had first met.
    Hammerly smiled at Jason. “Well, shall we do it?”
    Jason nodded and stood in front of the American flag while the airman handed Gus the enlistment oath to read. Gus joined his son and they raised their right hands. Gus started to read. “I, Jason Tyler, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic …”
    Aly listened as Jason repeated the oath. She chanced a glance at the general and saw the resolve in his eyes, the set of his jaw.
    Gus’s voice swelled. “That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same …”
    Aly studied the men and understood. They were a band of brothers.
     
     
    Schiphol Airport
    Aly guided her small car to the curb outside the departure terminal. “Right on time.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. She felt an overpowering urge to say “I love you,” but her Dutch sensibility squashed that urge with a more formal, “Give my regards to your family.”
    “Thank your folks again for me. It’s been great, and I can hardly wait for the wedding.”
    Then he was gone, walking into the