you will be amply compensated for your
. not that—'
is also part of the mission team,” Nash said,
Race by surprise. 'He won't be coming with us, but be working with the technical team at our offices in
. Race thought. He hadn't seen him in a long time since their parents had got divorced nine years ago. But
if was also involved, then maybe…
Race, I'm sorry, but we have to go. We have to now. I need an answer from you..'
'Will,' John Bernstein said, 'this is could be a tremendous
for the university—'
Race frowned at Bernstein, cutting him off. Then to Nash:
'You say it's a matter of national security?'
'That's right.'
'And you can't tell me where we'll be going.'
'Not until we get on the plane. Then I can tell you every-
And I'm going to have a bodyguard, Race thought. You usually only need a bodyguard when somebody wants to kill you.
The office was silent.
Race could feel everyone waiting for his response. Nash.
The three Green Berets.
He sighed. He couldn't believe what he was about to say.
'All right,' he said. 'I'll do it.'
Race walked quickly down the corridor behind Nash, still dressed in his jacket and tie.
It was a cold and wet winter's day in New York and as they made their way through the maze of corridors toward the westernmost gate of the university, Race caught the occasional glimpse of the heavy rain falling outside.
The two Green Berets who had been in the office walked ahead of him and Nash; the other two—the two who had been out in the corridor—walked behind. Everyone was moving quickly. It felt to Race like he was being pulled along by a strong current.
'Will I get a chance to change into something a little less formal?' he asked Nash. He had brought his sports bag along with him. It had his change of clothes inside it.
'Maybe on the plane,' Nash said as they walked. 'All right, now listen carefully. See the young man behind you.
That's Sergeant Leo Van Lewen. He'll be your bodyguard from here on in.'
Race looked behind himself as he walked, saw the mountain-sized Green Beret he had seen earlier. Van Lewen.
The Green Beret just gave him a curt acknowledging nod as his eyes swept the corridor all around them.
Nash said, 'From now on, you're a real important person and that makes you a target. Wherever you go, he goes.
Here. Take this.'
Nash handed Race an earpiece and a wraparound throat
Race had only ever seen them on TV before, on one of SWAT units. You strapped the throat mike neck and the microphone picked up the vibra- voice box.
it on as soon as you get in the car,' Nash said. 'It's so all you have to do is talk and we'll hear you get in any trouble, just say the word and Van here will be at your side in seconds. You got that?'
came to the western entrance of the university, two more Green Berets stood guard at the door. Nash stepped past them, out into the pouring rain.
was then that Race saw 'the car' that Nash had said out front.
the gravel turnaround in front of him stood a de.
motorcycle outriders—two at the head of the two at the rear. Six plain-looking olive-coloured And wedged in the middle, cocooned by the out- and the sedans, were two heavy-duty armoured Both were painted black and they each deeply tinted windows.
At least fifteen heavily armed Green Berets stood with M at the ready all around the motorcade. The pouring rain down against their helmets. They didn't seem to
Nash hurried over to the second Humvee and held the open for Race. Then he handed Race a thick manila envelope as he stepped inside the big vehicle.
“Take a look,' Nash said. 'I'll tell you more when we get the plane.'
