The woman leaned back in her chair. “Your bill, assuming you wind up with one, is being covered by the President of the United States. In full. And, if I might add, I fully support that.”
A member of the security detail lingering behind Johnny and Dawn said, “Sir, we have a car ready to take you wherever you need to go.”
“I don’t know where that is.”
“We’re at the Watergate, Johnny,” Dawn said. “Pricey, but it was close to you.”
“The Watergate it is, ma’am,” the lead agent said. “Into the car you go, sir.”
“The President and I have established a protocol for these interactions. I’m Johnny.”
“Okay, Johnny. Into the car you go, sir.”
The Watergate Complex name is of course renowned and associated with a particularly bad chapter of American history. But the hotel itself is simply renowned for being great.
“They have a wonderful bar, Johnny,” Dawn said on the way there. “Like, a million bottles of whiskey on the wall.”
“I can’t drink,” he said. “For I don’t know how long. They’ll tell me, I guess.”
When they all got to the hotel, Meyer was waiting. He hugged Johnny.
“My flights were both delayed, or I would have been here sooner. What in the actual fuck did you think you were doing?”
“Same thing as every day, Pinky. Trying to take over the world.”
“They pay people to protect the President. Why did you take it upon yourself?”
“Can we go up to the room for this? I’m really tired.”
They all helped Johnny up to the room and forced him to lie down in a bed.
“Meyer, we got out of the limo and I heard the sound of a gun being racked. I don’t know whether it was a pistol or a small rifle. I just reacted.”
“It was a pistol. A 9 millimeter. They caught the guy pretty much right away. Johnny, you saved the life of the President of the United States.”
“At a cost,” Johnny said. “I feel like shit. Meyer, you’re in charge of the company, such as it is, for the foreseeable future.”
“Done. And done. And we have two nurses waiting for you when you get home.”
“Are they cute?”
“Johnny!” Dawn said.
“Kidding.”
“How many times were you shot as a Ranger?” Meyer said.
“None.”
“And twice since. You might want to consider another line of work.”
“I second that,” Dawn said.
“Okay, this is stupid,” Johnny said. “The first time was trying to save Dawn. This time was purely reactionary. I’m where I need to be. Once I get out of this bed.”
“He may have a point,” Buddy said. “You have people who depend upon you. Girls who love you. And now, a young girl that you’ve committed to caring for. You can run the company from an office, or from home. You’ve got people who can do the tough work.”
Johnny was silent for a time. Then, “I’ll think about it. But I’ve always been where the action is. I’m not sure I can walk away from that.”
“Crawl away, more likely, given your condition,” Buddy said.
“Some brother you are,” Johnny said.
Buddy walked to the bed and took Johnny’s hand.
“I am your brother. And I always will be. No matter what.”
“Hooah,” Johnny said, and fell asleep.
The flights home were uneventful. The ride home was uneventful. Johnny was beginning to like uneventful. He and the girls all got into their Santa Monica home. They brought him water, and grapes which he didn’t want, and sat with him.
“You didn’t eat on the plane,” Jay said. “You have to eat something.”
“Not hungry.”
“You will eat something, or I will whip you,” Nurse #1 said.
“Is that a promise?”
Smirk. “You need to eat. I can make you a protein shake. There’s all the stuff here to do it.”
“Tomorrow,” Johnny said. “Right now, I just need to sleep.” And true to form, he passed out on the couch.
Two months later…
“The President is coming to Los Angeles and requests the pleasure of your company,” Christine said. “If you’re up for it.”
“I’m fine. I’m back to doing calisthenics and katas and if he wants me there, I’m there. Although, I don’t know why he would.”
“Me neither,” Christine said. “Oh. Cara called. She’s still in Ireland. She heard what happened. She said that she’s very proud of you, and also very worried.”
“You told her that I’m okay, right?”
“Yep. And passed her along to Mary Beth, who told her everything, I assume.”
“Good deal. Please tell the President’s people that I’ll be there, wherever there is.”
“I’ll text you the info. He’s asked that your ‘family’ be there as well.”
“Okay. You and your daughter please come as well. I don’t know what this is, but there should be good food and stuff.”
“Yessir. Oh. The President requested that you come in your class A uniform. Do you still have that?”
“I do. But why?”
“Didn’t say. Make you look all official, I guess.”
Johnny showered and got dressed and found that there were two limos waiting. The driver of the first rig got out.
“Sir, we’re here to take you to the President.”
“Okay.”
“We have two limos because we were told that there were a number of other family members we needed to bring.”
The girls all came out of the house and the limo driver’s mouth dropped open. He ran to open the doors.
“Rough life,” the limo driver said to Johnny.
“Sometimes,” he said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.”
Everyone in the room stood and clapped. The President went to the podium and waved them all back down. Johnny’s girls were all in the front row, including Kimmy.
“I have a lot to say,” the President said. “But pro forma, I’m not going to.”
The room chuckled as they were expected to do. The TV crews were on pins and needles.
“Mr. Rand, please come forward.”
Johnny froze.
“That’s an order, Johnny. C’mere.”
Jonny got up and walked up onto the stage. And walked next to the President.
Who returned to the mic. “By my order, and with the blessing of Congress, I am hereby promoting lieutenant Rand to captain Rand, retired.”
There was the obligatory applause as the President replaced Johnny’s insignia.
“Thank you, Mr… Rob.” And he started toward the stairs.
“Johnny, stand fast. There’s one more thing.”
He halted. And turned back.
The President’s wife came out from backstage. Holding something.
“Mr. Rand.”
“Johnny.”
She smiled. “Okay, Johnny. Guess what? You’re about to be medaled.”
She held up what was in her hands and placed it over Jonny’s neck. And kissed his cheek.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me the greatest pleasure to convey upon Johnny Rand the Medal of Freedom.”
The crowd went crazy.
“As you well know,” the President said, “I’d be dead if not for him. But we also did deep background into his life in the military, and as a cop, and other things he’s been asked to do since he retired. Johnny upholds the highest standards of the Army, of the Rangers, and of the Los Angeles Police Department.”
Applause.
“Johnny, at this point, you’re supposed to say something,” the President said.
“Thanks.”
“I am so fucking proud of you,” Kimmy said as she hugged him. “But mostly, I am so fucking glad that you’re alive.”
Nobody tried to castigate her language.
“You really need to find another line of work, Johnny.”
He ruffled her hair. “I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.”
“Maybe you should listen.”