The Profession (35 page)

To Dave Danelo for demolishing an earlier version of this story (which deserved demolition)—and to Nancy Roberts for laboring mightily to help build it back. To Shawn Coyne, for understanding this tale better than I did and for elevating it to a level higher than I had envisioned or hoped. To Callie Oettinger, for being a rock for me amid turbulent waters.

And to Major Jim Gant, U.S. Army Special Forces, for friendship and wisdom beyond the call of duty.