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“Did you actually believe you had a future with the Princess of Qaram?”

“Is the colonel asking for a discussion of my personal beliefs?”

“You had an order. You were to free the Americans and bring them to safety.”

“We accomplished our mission. One American was dead by the time we reached the target. We rescued the remaining three.”

“Did you hear what I said, Sanchez? You were to bring them to safety.”

“Which we did.”

“Which we did, sir.”

Dec had been staring at the wall above the colonel’s head. Now, he brought his gaze straight to the man’s face

“Which we did, sir.”

“Incorrect. Five men in your unit delivered the ambassador and his wife to safety. You led the princess into further danger.”

“I did not lead her into further danger. Sir.”

“Did you put her on the helicopter with the ambassador and his wife?”

Dec didn’t answer.

“Did you instead take her into the mountains where she was attacked by a pair of killers?”

“She was not attacked, Colonel. I dealt with—”

“Did she spend two nights and three days in a godforsaken wilderness with you where anything could have happened to her?”

“Colonel. You don’t know the whole—”

Stuart shot to his feet.

“Did you take her into a situation in which she faced capture?”

“Goddammit, Colonel, it wasn’t like that! She begged me not to put her on the helicopter with the ambassador. She begged me not to send her back to her uncle. She—”

“She begged you,” Stuart sneered.

Dec could feel his face heat. “Yes. She begged me. Do you have any idea what her uncle had done to her? What he’d planned to do with her? If you’d just listen—”

“Your mission is over, Sanchez. You and the rest of your unit are heading back to Camp Condor tonight.” The colonel’s eyes narrowed. “If you were part of my command, I would have you court-martialed, but your commanding officer has requested disciplining you be left to him. Out of respect for him, I have agreed.” Stuart took his seat and opened his computer. “You are dismissed, Lieutenant.”

“Where is Anoushka?”

“I said, dismissed!”

Dec took a steadying breath. “Colonel Stuart. Where is Annie?”

Stuart looked at Dec. “If you are as smart as your CO seems to think you are, Sanchez, you will do an about face and walk out of this room without another word.”

“Goddammit!” Dec leaned forward and slammed his hands on the desk. “Where is she?”

Stuart’s face turned purple. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I’m a man who made a promise. A STUD operative who made a promise. Where is Annie Stanton?”