Read Out of the Ashes for Free Online Page B

you to tell me something.”
    â€œIf I can, C.H., sure. Shoot.”
    Travee took a small sip of coffee, glanced around him, then shot straight, the words pouring from his mouth. Monk Fowler dropped his fork in his lap. Two minutes later, his face ashen, he tried to take a sip of water. His hands shook so badly he spilled water down the front of his shirt.
    Travee finished by saying, “Don’t tell me you haven’t heard the rumors, Monk. Don’t insult my intelligence by saying you haven’t seen bits and pieces of this crop up in reports. And don’t tell me you haven’t put it all together—or you’re not a part of it. Talk, Monk. And make it good.”
    â€œC.H.! I ... ah ... I don’t know what you’re—”
    Fowler heard the almost inaudible click of an Army-issue. 45 automatic pistol jacked back to full cock, under the table. He looked into his friend’s eyes. Cold.
    â€œGod, C.H.! Don’t let that thing go off.”
    â€œI ought to kill you right here, Monk. You’re a treasonous snake. Damn you! You were my friend. Were! As head of Army Intelligence, you have to be involved in this up to your butt!”
    â€œPlease put the pistol away, C.H.”
    â€œYou’re a part of it, aren’t you, Fowler?”
    General Fowler’s eyes were wide with fright. “I don’t want to die, C.H.”
    â€œWe’re all going to die in a matter of days, you son of a bitch! My God—who can I trust?” Travee stood up, shoving the pistol back into his belt. “Get up, you slime, and don’t get hinky or you’re dead. And I’ll gut shoot you, Monk. Takes a lot longer to die that way. Painful.” He dropped money on the table for the meal and shoved Fowler toward the rear door. “Move!”
    â€œWhere ... are we going?”
    â€œTo the White House.”
    Behind them, Washington diners ate and gossiped and flirted, unaware that nuclear and bacteriological horror lurked only hours away.
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    â€œAnd that’s all you know?” Fayers asked, speaking through the roaring pain in his head.
    â€œYes, sir,” Fowler said. “I don’t know all the details, but I do have suspicions.”
    â€œBull Dean?”
    Fowler shook his head. “No, I don’t believe so. I haven’t been able to contact him for several days, but the Bull fronts up the rebels, that’s all. Adams said he’d never go along with something like this.”
    â€œIs it world-wide, Fowler?” Travee asked.
    Fowler hesitated. “I . . . can’t say, C.H.”
    â€œ General Travee, Fowler. Sir. With a sir. Put a sir on it when you speak to me.”
    â€œYes, sir. I won’t say, sir.”
    â€œOh, yes, Monk—you’ll say, all right.”
    â€œI will say I’m glad it’s over.”
    â€œIt isn’t over, Fowler,” Travee said, then knocked the general out of his chair with a short right punch. “You’re going to tell us all you know, or you’re going to die hard.” He turned to General Hyde. “Put a pistol on that warrant officer in the hall. Don’t let him get gone with those codes. We’ve got to buy us some time ... if we can.”
    â€œGood Lord, General!” Fayers said. There was an odd look in his eyes. The president laughed out loud.
    Hyde paused at the door to glance at the president. He lifted his gaze to Travee. Travee shook his head slowly, sadly.
    â€œGod! My head hurts.” Fayers rubbed his temples.
    General Hyde stepped out into the hall and motioned the young warrant officer inside. The W.O.’s mouth dropped open at the sight of Fowler, struggling to get to his feet, his mouth bloody.
    â€œWhat’s . . . sir?” He looked at the president.
    Fayers looked at him. “Beware the ju-ju bird, son.”
    â€œSir?” The W.O. stared at his commander in chief.
    Travee held out his hand. “Give me those