Balance of Power: A Novel (47 page)
Read Balance of Power: A Novel Online
Authors: James W. Huston
Molly stood quietly. “But that attack, it felt wrong.”
“That’s because a Letter of Reprisal has never been done like this before. How do you think Congress felt when Truman sent troops under the UN to Korea? How do you think Congress felt when Kennedy, then Johnson, sent troops to Vietnam without a declaration of war?
Thousands
of Americans died. Where was Congress then? Why doesn’t that feel wrong?”
Molly relaxed slightly. She searched Dillon’s face. “I don’t want to argue about it anymore. But I’ve got to know something.”
“What?”
“You were there on the carrier,” she said, noticing his involuntary wince. “We may disagree on whether it was right or now, whether it was legal, but did it feel good? Are you
glad?”
Dillon closed his eyes momentarily to slow the watering from the cold. “It’s funny, Admiral Billings asked me the same thing. Sort of. That’s what surprised me. This wasn’t really much of a war, and it got to me. I saw it personally, Molly. I went ashore with the Marines. I saw people get killed. I saw the head terrorist and he shot me twice.” He could see the surprise on her face. “Hit my helmet and flak jacket. I only got bruises and a small cut,” he said touching a half-inch scab by his ear. “And after
I got back to the carrier, I thought it would be like winning a football game, where everyone comes to their feet and cheers and claps. It’s not like that at all. It’s not a sport. So, no, I guess I’m not
glad
. It doesn’t make me happy. It’s made me, I don’t know, different. I think I’d take it more seriously now than I ever would have before.” He looked around at the President’s motorcade pulling up. “But it was still the right thing to do.”
Molly stepped closer to Dillon until they were nearly touching, her forehead just inches from his eyes. He could feel her warmth.
He studied her creamy complexion with the hint of freckles. “I still want a chance to be with you, Molly.”
Molly pulled the windblown hair out of her mouth and looked up into his blue eyes, eyes set with determination but softened by integrity. “We’d have to work at it.”
“I’m willing,” Dillon replied.
Molly smiled. The warmest smile he had seen in a long time. “You’re always willing.”
“True enough. So what do you say?”
She hesitated. “I need to let this all settle in.” She began to turn, then looked up at him. “When it does, I’ll call you.”
Dillon watched her walk away. He turned and walked toward the steps of the Supreme Court.
The Speaker stood at the bottom of the steps leading to the Supreme Court and watched President Manchester gather the press corps around him for his impromptu press conference.
Dillon walked over and stood next to Stanbridge, who glanced at him. The Speaker blew on his bare hands to warm them, then spoke to Dillon while they both watched Manchester.
“He’s telling them all’s well with the American government. We’re all going to work together.”
Dillon watched Manchester. “Are we?” he replied.
“Of course.” Stanbridge smiled. “Just like always.”
M
ANY PEOPLE HAVE HELPED IMMENSELY IN THE PREPARATION
of this book. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their help, support, and encouragement. I want to thank my small cadre of loyal readers who have read my writing for years with a critical eye and a supporting arm: Don Chartrand, Natalie Venezia, Mark Hamer, and Dan Wien. I also want to thank Robin Ellis, who helped me type the original manuscript.
I received technical assistance from several people whose knowledge was invaluable: Chief Warrant Officer G. Mike Johnson, U.S. Navy SEAL; former Clerk to the Chief Justice of the United States and former Associate White House Counsel, W. Neil Eggleston; Krister Holladay, Legislative Director for Congressman Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House; and Commander Steven Litwiller, USN.
I am especially grateful to my agent and friend, David Gernert, who was willing to take a chance with an unknown author. I am also grateful to his assistants, Matt Williams and Amy Williams.
I want to thank my editor, Paul Bresnick, who has shown enthusiasm and patience and taught me much in the process of getting this book to print. I am also greatly indebted to Paul Fedorko, the publisher of William Morrow,
whose enthusiasm and support is far beyond what I could have ever hoped for from a publisher.
It is impossible to express with words my gratitude and appreciation to my wife, Dianna, who encouraged me and helped me through the long nights. I am also grateful to my children for their support and willingness to give up some of their time with me to allow me to complete this book.
I want to also express my infinite debt to my father, James A. Huston, author, mentor, and inspiration.
Above all, I thank God Almighty, the ultimate creator of everything.
—J
AMES
W. H
USTON
A graduate of TOPGUN, James W. Huston flew F-14s off the U.S.S.
Nimitz
with the Jolly Rogers. He served as a naval flight officer and worked in naval intelligence before becoming a lawyer and the acclaimed author of
Balance of Power
,
The Price of Power
,
Flash Point
,
Fallout
, and
Secret Justice
(all available as HarperCollins e-books). He lives in San Diego, California.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
“James W. Huston’s military thriller hits the ground running…Huston handles both battle scenes and courtroom confrontations with skill. The pace is fast and the suspense is gripping as his story careens toward a guns-blazing, here-come-the-Marines climax…Indeed, if you like Tom Clancy, Huston is a good step up.”
Washington Post Book World
“A heart-stopping story of military action combined with Washington politics and law.”
Library Journal
“A great summer read…fast-paced…engaging and clever…James W. Huston may be stepping into territory dominated by Tom Clancy, but Huston more than stands his ground.”
CNN online
BALANCE OF POWER
. Copyright © 1998 by James W. Huston. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
EPub Edition © MAY 2003 ISBN: 9780061803192
First Avon Books Printing: April 1998
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