THIRTY-FOUR
While Abby traveled back to Hawk’s Nest, Joshua had flown to their New York penthouse to get ready for his international trip. He had just finished packing. He wondered where his passport was, but he dug around and finally found it. That was the last detail.
He had thanked the Pentagon for offering to fly him to Israel but had decided to use his personal pilot, Billy, and Jeff, his copilot, instead. They had wrapped up the checks on Joshua’s own private jet; it was fueled and ready to go. Maybe it was a sign of getting older, but Joshua found his own jet more comfortable than even the cushy ones the top brass used.
The doorbell rang. When he swung it open, his daughter stood in the doorway, bag in hand.
“Greetings, Daddy!” Deborah gave him an enthusiastic hug and marched inside.
He was about to explain that he needed to leave in a few minutes for his private hanger at JFK, but Deborah jumped in first. “Look, I know all about the Israel trip.”
“Oh?”
“A few days ago Mom said you might have to fly overseas. Then I just happened to overhear the phone call you got from the Israeli military folks. And last night she called me and said you were staying in New York getting ready for an overseas trip. I put it all together.”
“So …”
“So now that I’ll be graduating at the end of this term, I have some time off, two weeks before classes start, and …”
“You know my interests, Daddy. You’re doing the kind of work I want to be involved in: national defense, counterintelligence. I couldn’t have a better professional mentor than my own father.”
“I’m flattered, honey, really, but let’s talk about this when I get back.”
“I have a better idea. Let’s talk about it on the flight over to Israel …”
Joshua couldn’t hold back a smile. “Well, at least you’ve got moxie.”
“No, listen. This isn’t a stretch. It’s perfectly logical. It’s an opportunity for me to watch and learn while you confer about weapons with a friendly nation. It’s the ultimate military practicum. That’ll put me heads and shoulders above my classmates.”
Joshua pushed back gently. “Deb, you don’t have a security clearance.”
“I don’t need one. Obviously, I’ll be excluded from anything top secret. That’s okay with me.”
Her father’s back straightened, and his jaw flexed. “Well, I’m certainly glad it’s okay with you …”
“I didn’t mean it that way. I know I can only attend the nonclearance stuff. Then you can tell me to get lost when the confidential discussions begin. Whatever I can be part of, whatever that means, this would be an unbelievable chance for me.”
She took his hand and squeezed it. “Please, Dad. I really want this …”
“I’m not sure it’s safe, darling.”
“I’ve chosen life in the military. I assume the risk. Just like you did.”
Joshua took a deep breath. He could take risks for himself, but not for his kids. He looked hard at his daughter. A grown woman. That look of resolve in her eyes. Yes, he recognized that look. It was one of the things he loved about Abby. The soft exterior that covered an iron will. Deb had it too. So here he was, standing in front of a daughter who was third in her class at West Point and the youngest cadet ever allowed in the program. It suddenly became clear. She was part of the proud tradition. She had earned it.
“Deb, have you talked to your mother?”
Now Joshua had one more thought. There’ll be hell to pay from Abby.
After a few seconds, he looked Deborah in the eye. “You’re sure about this?”
She snapped back, “One hundred percent, sir.”
For Joshua, there was only one more question to ask.
“You have your passport?”