State of Siege - Tom Clancy [108]
The Hoods and the other families flew back to Washington, D.c., on an Air Force 737. Sharon had been very quiet during the hour flight. She sat with Harleigh beside her, the young girl's head on her shoulder. Hood had sat across the aisle, watching. Like most of the young musicians, Harleigh had been given a mild sedative to help her sleep. Unlike most of the girls, however, her sleep was punctuated by tiny whines, shouts, and spasms. Maybe the greatest tragedy of all, Hood realized, was that he hadn't saved Harleigh from that damn room. The poor girl was still there in spirit if not in body.
The aircraft landed at Andrews Air Force Base, ostensibly so the military could assure the privacy of the children. But Hood knew better. Andrews was where Op-Center was based. After they taxied, Hood saw Op-Center's white van waiting for him on the tarmac. Lowell Coffey and Bob Herbert were both visible in the open side door. Sharon didn't see the men until she was on her way down the steps. Hood acknowledged them with a nod. They remained in the van.
The State Department had provided wheelchairs for anyone who wanted them. They also provided a bus to bring everyone home. An official told the parents that their cars would be collected from the airport later that day.
Sharon and Hood both helped Harleigh into a wheelchair. Alexander manfully took his place behind the chair as Sharon turned to her husband.
"You're not coming with us, are you?" Sharon asked. Her voice was flat and withdrawn, her eyes distant.
"I honestly didn't know they'd be here," he said, jerking a thumb toward the van.
"But you're not surprised."
"No," he admitted. "I did kill someone on foreign soil. There's going to be fallout from that. But you'll be okay. Bob's arranged for round-the-clock police protection at the house."
"I wasn't worried," Sharon said and turned toward the chair. Hood took her hand in his. She stopped. "Sharon, don't do this." "Do what?" she asked. "Go home with our children?" "Don't shut me out," he said.
"I'm not shutting you out, Paul," Sharon said. "Just like you, I'm trying to stay calm and deal with things. What we decide over the next few days is going to affect our daughter for the rest of her life. I want to be emotionally ready to make those decisions." "We have to be ready to make those decisions," Hood said. "That's our job."
"I hope so," Sharon said. "But you've got two families again. I'm not going to waste any more energy fighting for equal time."
"Two families?" Hood said. "Sharon, I didn't ask for this to happen. I was out of Op-Center! If I'm back, it's because I'm in the middle of an international incident. I-we won't be able to handle this alone."
Just then, the State Department official came over. He told them the bus was loaded and waiting. Sharon told Alexander to go ahead. She said she'd be there in a moment. Hood gave his son a wink and told him to keep a careful eye on his sister. Alexander said he would.
Hood looked back at his wife. Sharon was looking up at him. There were tears in her eyes.
"And when this international incident is finished?" Sharon asked. "Will we have you then? Do you really think you'll be happy helping to manage a household instead of running a city or a government agency?"
"I don't know," Hood admitted. "Give me a chance to find out." "A chance?" Sharon smiled. "Paul, this may not make any sense to you, but last night, when I heard what you did for Harleigh, I was angry at you."
"Angry? Why?"
"Because you risked your life, your reputation, your career, your freedom, to save our daughter," she said. "And that made you angry?" Hood said. "I can't believe that-was "It did," she said. "All I ever wanted from you were little bits of your life. Time for a violin recital, a soccer game, a vacation once in a while. Dinner as a family. Holidays with my parents. I rarely got any of that. I couldn't even get you to sit with me last night while our baby was in danger."
"I was too busy trying to get her out-"
"I know," she said. "And you did. You showed me what you can do when you