CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
8:05 a.m.
Palomino Ranch
Ocala, Florida
“I’ve been waiting for someone like you to come,” the man said.
Luke and Ed stood in the front yard of the sprawling ranch house, looking up at the man on the porch. The man was middle-aged, owlish in round glasses, with a vaguely pear-shaped body. He was Stephen Douglas Lief, former United States Senator from Florida, former primary candidate for President of the United States.
Luke worked to focus on the man, but he had to admit he was distracted. When the plane had landed, Luke had a new text message on his throwaway cell phone. It was from Gunner.
Dad, it said. I’m glad you are alive. I was worried. I want to see you. Gunner.
No mention of the word “love” in there, but it was real progress. His son wanted to s
