The Sum of All Fears.pdf - Delta Force

in, even to the point of playing catch with her son during T-ball season (that
was something that made her husband uncomfortably guilty whenever he learned of
it). She cooked good meals when she had the time. Whatever the house needed, she
either did herself or 'contracted out' – Jack's phrase – to others.
She still loved her husband, and she let him know it. She had a good sense of
humor, Cathy thought. She didn't let most things bother her. She never failed to
touch Jack whenever the opportunity presented itself; she was a doctor, with a
delicate touch. She talked to him, asked what he thought of something or other,
let him know that she cared about him, cared about his opinions on things. There
could be no doubt in his mind that he was still her man in every way. In fact,
she loved him in every way a wife could. Cathy concluded that she wasn't doing
anything wrong.
So, why didn't he – couldn't he . . . ?
The face in the mirror was more puzzled than hurt, she thought. What else can I
do? she asked it.
Nothing.
Cathy tried to set that aside. A new day was beginning. She had to get the kids
ready for school. That meant setting breakfast up before they awoke. This part
of life wasn't fair, of course. She was a surgeon, a professor of surgery, as a
matter of fact, but the simple facts of life also said she was a mother, with
mother's duties that her husband did not share, at least not on the early
morning of a work day. So much for women's lib. She got into her robe and walked
down to the kitchen. It could have been worse. Both kids liked oatmeal, and
actually preferred the flavored instant kind. She boiled the water for it, then
turned the range to low heat while she walked back to wake the little ones up.
Ten minutes later, Sally and Little Jack were washed and dressed on their way to
the kitchen. Sally arrived first, setting the TV to the Disney Channel in time
for Mousercise. Cathy took her ten minutes of peace to look at the morning paper
and drink her coffee.
On the bottom right-hand side of the front page was an article about Russia.
Well, maybe that's one of the things that's bothering Jack. She decided to read
it. Maybe she could talk to him, find out why he was so . . . distracted? Was it
just that, maybe?
'. . . disappointed with the ability of CIA to deliver data on the problem.
There are further rumors of an underway investigation. An administration
official confirms the rumors that a senior CIA official is suspected of
financial misconduct and also of sexual improprieties. The name of this official
has not been revealed, but he is reportedly very senior and responsible for
coordinating information for the administration . . .'
Sexual improprieties? What did that mean? Who was it?
He.
Very senior and responsible for.
That was Jack. That was her husband. That was the phrase they used for someone
at his level. In a quiet moment of total clarity, she knew that it had to be.
Jack . . . playing around? My Jack?
It wasn't possible.
Was it?