EXFIL by Anthony Patton (best book reader txt) 📕

future. We would also launch precision attacks on the cyber units hidden around China, which wouldn’t be reported in mainstream media. We knew they would establish new cyber units, but this operation would make them think twice about attacking us, also initiating an internal witch-hunt that would point to Jade Envy. After all, he had recruited the source, yours truly, who had provided the Trojan horses.

◆◆◆

“One last signature here,” Lieutenant General Lewis said as we sat on the couch in his office with a stack of forms.

I paused to read it and signed it with a sense of relief and regret. I had formally resigned my commission from the Army and retired with an honorable discharge. I closed my pen and slid it into my inside breast pocket. “Thank you for the statue in Mr. Bartfield’s office.”

“I understand the offer was attractive?” he asked.

“I haven’t discussed it with Beth,” I said, “but I’m inclined to turn it down, given how hard she has worked for her job at West Point.”

“Good for you,” he said. “Although, I thought you might go for the money.”

I took a deep breath to calm myself. “I realize that I’m not the best person to raise any moral issues here, but you ran an operation that allowed China to push us to the brink of war with cyberattacks so that Bartfield could win a contract. How many millions of dollars?” I was no longer in the military, so I held his stare. “Would it be safe to assume that Bartfield offered you a job as well?”

He observed me in disbelief like a laboratory specimen.

“You know I’m legally prohibited from taking a job with Bartfield for long after I retire, but I did convince him to give you an opportunity,” he said.

I sensed that he wanted to say more but knew it wasn’t worth his time. I also appreciated his decision to take the high road. I was no longer under his command, but had no plans to act as if rank no longer mattered. I stood and offered my hand. “If you’re ever in West Point, look us up.”

We shook hands. “Thank you, and good luck.”

On the way out, I stopped by the conference room to check the status of the cyber operation. They were busily typing away, Nguyen pacing up and down the aisle between the tables.

“How’s it looking?”

“Good,” Nguyen said. “Fingers crossed.”

“Is Brett coming?”

He shook his head. “He had urgent business.”

His mind was focused on the operation, so I excused myself and exited Cyber Command without fanfare, to include turning in my security badge. I was officially retired.

The drive to West Point was peaceful. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my military career, considering the alternative of criminal charges and prison. Looking back, getting promoted to brigadier general would only have complicated my life and driven me to claw for the next promotion, which would have made it impossible to balance family and Beth’s career. I was still in the penalty box, and the best plan at this point was to lie low, make the best of the teaching position, and do everything I could to help her career and spend quality time with the boys before they headed off to college. You never believe time flies by until time flies by.

“Up to 1.2 million, with bonus and stock options,” I leaned closer to whisper as Andrew and Troy entertained themselves in the back seat. I glanced at the GPS and enjoyed the gentle turns through the two-lane road in a wooded area.

Beth looked at me with a dropped jaw. “One point two million? What did you say?”

I looked at her and shrugged. “Well, after not consulting you on my retirement, I figured we should talk about it first.” I maneuvered the next turn and noticed that our mystery destination on the GPS was less than two miles away. “You’ve worked hard for this teaching position.”

“Well, yeah,” she said, “but that’s a lot of money.”

“The offer is still open,” I said. Marriage was a constant battle of knowing when to make decisions and when to consult. Wives rarely offered clear guidelines.

“I’ll think about it,” she said, “but I’m sure we could make it work. I’ve received multiple offers from universities and think tanks in D.C.”

My initial reaction was surprise, but her willingness to be flexible and do what was in the best interest of the family was why I loved her so much. I gestured to the GPS. “Where are we going, by the way?” I asked.

“It’s a secret,” she said.

“I love you,” I said.

“I love you, too,” she said and held my hand.

As the GPS shifted from one mile away to descending decimal increments, I signaled for a right turn at 0.2 miles and slowed until I saw a concrete driveway leading into a dense forest, with no signs of civilization visible from the road. The driveway winded for half a mile before revealing a Tuscan villa with two luxury SUVs parked outside. I pulled up to a spot next to them, parked the car, and looked at Beth.

“We’ll wait here,” she said with a gentle smile.

I stepped out of the car to see Brett standing at the front door, wearing a light blue dress shirt and gray slacks. We met with a handshake and an embrace. He waved to Beth, opened the door, and gestured for me to enter.

He led the way to a living room with veined marble floors, Persian carpets, and modern paintings on the walls. Then he gestured to a wet bar. I declined and sat.

“What brings us here today?” I asked. I couldn’t explain what I was feeling, aside from my own nerves, but I knew he had something up his sleeve.

He poured himself a soda water with lime, swirled the cubes, and took a sip as he sat. “I wanted to touch base after all the excitement. You seemed surprisingly forgiving about the operation. I wanted to apologize, again, from the bottom of my