VIII - The American Road

Dougie phoned the president. "We found him" he said, gleefully.

"Found who?" said the President, clueless.

"Rabble."

The President fell silent. "Well... how the hell is he?"

"Angry, chief. Angry as hell. Same as always" Dougie said with a smile.

"Bring him to me, as soon as you can. Blow up whatever's in your way if you have to."

"Yes, sir." Dougie snapped his phone shut. He motioned to the driver. "When we get to U Street, make a right. We're gonna make a couple stops. First one is four-nineteen Delaware Street."

"Where are you taking me?" Rabble asked.

"To see the President. But first, you need a haircut. No marine should ever have to look like that."

Rabble laughed. "Semper fi. Except when you're down in the gutter."

"It's awful John, simply awful. Had I known. Had any of us known..." Dougie was still having trouble believing it. Rabble was his friend, but also his hero. In the world of intelligence, Rabble was like Babe Ruth, a mythical figure who had accomplished feats previously thought impossible. It was not uncommon, perhaps even routine, for CIA and FBI agents to ask him for his autograph on the rare occasion he made an appearance in Washington to testify, report, or shoot the shit.

How was this hero, this giant among men, left to die out in the streets? Dougie knew it was no accident. Someone -- someone powerful -- wanted Rabble to suffer. And what about that body they found? The DNA test? Whose body was it in Belgrade if not Rabble's? "It scares me, John. If they can do that to you... then, well..." his thoughts trailed off as he contemplated the horror, "...they could do it to anyone."

Rabble exhaled. "I trust you, Doug. My brain says not to, but I can feel in my gut you're telling the truth." He patted his stomach.

"We're gonna get to the bottom of this. Don't worry." Dougie wiped his brow.

"Yes, we'll figure it all out. It'll all be okay" K-Rock added. Rabble had become, to his credit, adept at ignoring him.

The Hummer came to a stop. Rabble opened the rear passenger door, stepped out and looked at the sign on the giant glass storefront. "A spa? I need a shower not an eyebrow wax."

"You need everything" Dougie said. "And they're thorough here. They shampoo your pubes."

Rabble smiled. He liked the sound of that.