“We’re married. Our marriage is a public record. It wouldn’t take much research to connect the two of us. Besides, remember the little video we did? The viral video?”

“Oh, yeah, that little video.” The words came out through a chuckle. “I guess you’re right.”

Wyl laced their fingers. “What puzzles me is why you are included and why I got the call from a man who reports to the President. If I’m being called back into duty, I would receive notification and be asked to report to a specific location for assignment. No wives…or in my case, husbands…included.”

Rod sat forward and faced Wyl. “Do you think I’m being drafted?”

Wyl shrugged. “You're asking the wrong person, babe. Regardless, the meeting with the general will be much easier for me if you’re in the room.”

“Easier for me too, babe.” Rod leaned for a quick kiss.

Wyl wondered what lay ahead. Everything about the call and the summons to Washington, D.C., tied his stomach in knots. And to include Rod made it worse. Whatever loomed ahead, this was no ordinary summons.

CHAPTER TWO

Monday morning. Beacon Hotel. Washington D.C.

Uneasiness churned Wyl’s gut. The Pentagon visit loomed, and he dreaded what the general might say.

“Did you bring your Marine uniform?” Rod handed Wyl his white dress shirt before taking his own from the closet.

Wyl laid the shirt on the bed and buttoned the sleeve buttons before sliding it on. “No uniform. I expect this to be something beyond uniforms.”

Rod slid on his shirt.

“Besides,” Wyl reached for his suit pants. “Given the general’s rank over all the armed services, this is not a Marine event.” He put one socked foot into a pants leg. “This is something bigger.” He put the other foot in and tugged his pants up to his waist.

“Bigger?” Rod paused with his own pants. “Now I'm more curious about my involvement.” He tugged on his suit pants. “I don’t have any skills useful to the military.”

“I’m certain General Steinburg's office vetted your involvement.” Wyl buttoned the pants and zipped them up. “The general wouldn’t ask you to be here unless the overall plan included your participation.” He reached for his belt. “We don’t yet understand how this will all play out.”

Rod shook his head, fastened his pants, and reached for his belt. “Should I be worried, frightened, or both?”

Wyl came over and wrapped Rod in his arms. “Both, but we’re in this together, so we’ll be fine whatever is planned.” He kissed Rod’s ear.

Rod tightened his grip on his husband. “Thanks,” he whispered. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Now let’s go to breakfast. We’ll need nutrition to help us through the morning.”

They finished dressing and went down to breakfast.

Wyl ordered an omelet, and Rod ordered French toast. Both ordered coffee and juice. The drinks arrived.

“What about meeting the general?” Rod asked. “Military protocol is foreign to me.”

“General Steinburg is a Five Star general, the highest rank. He is the first 5-star general since Omar Bradley in 1981. The military retired the 5-star rank, but the President persuaded Congress to bring it back for Steinburg. For him to contact us himself pushes the importance of this meeting to the top levels of government. The protocol indicates we show the utmost respect for this man and his rank. Address him as ‘General Steinburg’ and ‘Sir.’ Unless he asks us to address him otherwise, we stick to protocol.”

“I will take your lead,” Rod said. “This isn’t only a visit with a general. It's a request from the President through the General.”

Wyl smiled. “I bet you never thought marrying me would involve a personal visit to the Pentagon.”

Rod grinned. “No. I focused on getting my hands on your sexy body and turning you gay.”

Breakfast arrived, and the aroma of the steaming omelet and the hot French toast triangles filled the air. Both devoured their breakfast.

After breakfast, they waited in the lobby. The black Suburban arrived at 9:00 on the dot, complete with a black-suited driver wearing dark aviator sunglasses. Rod glanced at Wyl. “I thought this happened only in the movies.”

Wyl chuckled. “You mean like you thought Bonanza and Big Valley were real ranches?”

They both climbed into the back seat. The driver pulled into the D.C. traffic and whisked them to the Pentagon. Wyl’s stomach trembled. It’s showtime.

CHAPTER THREE

The driver stopped at the Pentagon entrance and turned to them.

“Major Sterling. Doctor Bonner. I am Agent Travers. I will escort you back to the hotel after your meeting concludes. Enjoy your visit to the Pentagon, sirs.”

“Thank you, Travers.” Wyl gave a salute to the driver.

A security station and four walk-through metal detectors painted a stark welcome inside. The left wall included a mural of an unfurled American Flag against an azure sky. The right wall sported photos, with the President at the top and high-ranking military officials below. The rear wall included a painted vignette highlighting the various branches of the military.

“Welcome, gentlemen,” the guard at the desk greeted them. “May I ask the reason for your visit?”

“Major Wyl Sterling and Dr. Rod Bonner at the request of General Steinburg,” Wyl said.

The guard checked his list and found their names.

"Sirs, may I have your I.D.s?”

Wyl and Rod presented their driver licenses.

The guard glanced at Rod. “Your license is in the name of Roderic Felix Bonner Sterling. I have Dr. Rod Bonner on my list.”

“Yes, sir,” Rod said. “My Ph.D. and educational credentials are in the name of Roderic Felix Bonner. I changed my name to Roderic Felix Bonner Sterling in February. My government issued I.D.s reflect the surname of Sterling.”

The guard accessed Rod’s record in the database and noted the information was as Rod mentioned. “Thank you, sir.” The guard handed back their I.D.s and directed them through the security checkpoint.

“Your badges, gentlemen.” The guard placed a badge for each of them on the counter. “Wear these at all times when in this facility. The badges also act as keys, giving you access to the areas you are authorized to enter. One of my men will escort you to General Steinburg’s office.”

Another guard appeared. “Gentlemen, please follow me.”

Wyl and Rod clipped the badges on their suit coats. They followed the second guard as he led them down bland corridor after corridor, each unadorned and lit with bright white, fluorescent light. Only the finished oak doorways broke the monotony. They arrived at the general’s office. The guard opened the door and motioned them to enter. He saluted and closed the door behind them.

A young soldier stood from his desk. “Welcome, gentlemen. I am Corporal Duggins, General Steinburg’s secretary. The general is expecting you. Please follow me.” He opened one of a set of heavy oak doors and led them into a roomy office with a view of D.C.

The office decor presented a marked difference from the stark hallways. The rich walnut furnishings sat atop a thick red-white-and-blue checkered area rug. One end included the general’s desk. In front sat two tufted leather guest chairs, a table between. The other end included a conference table with a video conferencing system and a wet bar.

“General Steinburg, your guests have arrived,” Corporal Duggins said.