CHAPTER 39

A LIGHT RAIN THRUMED against the bay window overlooking the tarmac at George Bush International airport. Noah fidgeted with his hands, rapidly bouncing his knee. Ellen adjusted her oversized sunglasses. The thick clouds blanketing the Houston sky didn’t warrant shades, but they did serve to hide the mascara streaking down her face.

This wasn’t the week Noah expected six days ago. He wished he could have it all back, enjoying a crowning achievement in his career with his teammates and family. The Super Bowl. Noah had worked his whole life to get to this point, the penultimate goal for every football player. Yet here he was, less than 10 hours before kickoff and all he could think about was his family.

The airport granted the Larsons use of a private room that connected to the tarmac. It would be the quickest way to see Jake once he arrived. The minutes dripped by. Would he ever arrive?

Finally, Jake walked through the door. He sprinted straight for Noah, who met him halfway. Noah scooped up his son and spun him around. Jake didn’t say a word. He just buried his head into his dad’s shoulder and sobbed.

Noah never thought the Super Bowl could seem so small and insignificant. Today, it did. Now, he would play his final game with integrity, with his chin up. He wasn’t prepared, but he didn’t care. It didn’t matter. Not today. The game itself didn’t really matter.

What mattered to Noah was the four-foot nothing, 55-pound boy who clung to his neck, feet interlocked behind his back. And his wife who sandwiched Jake with him. Nothing stopped the tears. Fear roared and hope roared back. The Larsons were all together. One last game and that was it. They would get on with the business of being a family.

Noah walked over to one of the FBI agents to inquire about Cal’s status.

“I need to thank Cal,” Noah said.

“Well, that won’t be possible.”

“He’s not dead, is he?”

“No. Not yet anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

“We can’t really divulge that information Mr. Larson, but let’s just say this operation did not go as planned.”

“But he’s still alive?”

“For the time being. We’ll let you know something if and when we can.”

“Fair enough,” Noah said. He wasn’t used to being told he couldn’t know something. But it would have to do. Cal had to make it back alive.