Chapter 2
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Friday June 13th
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Eric Carter was driving his son Ben to a baseball game. They were going to see the Washington Nationals play. Eric's other son, Isaac, was probably too young to appreciate baseball, even brought Ben's toys in case he got bored. Eric hoped to give both of his sons an appreciation for the greatest sport on earth. On the way to the game they were listening to the news, talking about how president Parker was pressing for Israel and Pakistan to came to Camp David for peace negotiations. Eric knew firsthand how bad the world could be sometimes, but he hoped that things were getting better, he wanted his sons to have a better life than he ever had. They were named after two men Eric had known, his brother-in-arms Ben, and his brother by birth Isaac. Both were long deceased, they had known some of the worst parts of this world. But they got to pass their names unto those who might inherit a better world.
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In New York City Kate Morgan met Kyle Farrell at a pizza place for their date.
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Kate: Can I ask you a question?
Kyle: Ofcourse.
Kate: Why did you ask me out?
Kyle: I have a weakness for beautiful women.
Kate: I googled you, found out we have a few things in common.
Kyle: Okay, you know that my mother was Jamey Farrell. She was a computer analyst at CTU and she agreed to help the mercenary Ira Gaines for $300,000. I was six when she was murdered by another traitor.
Kate: And I take it you know my husband was arrested for selling secrets to China. He was cleared, posthumously. He killed himself, when I lost faith in him.
Kyle: There aren't many people who understand what I went through. I admit, maybe I thought you would understand. Your husband was cleared, do you have any idea how much I would love to hear something like that about my mother?
Kate: Yes I do. I wanted an explanation of my husband's innocence, but I gave up. I don't know if it's worse for you. Your mother was murdered, you don't have the guilt I do.
Kyle: I kind of do. Ira Gaines, he seduced my mother, bought her jewelery, took her to nice restaurants, bought me some toys. I tell myself Iw as six, how was I to know he was a bad man who I shouldn't get toys from. But I still feel guilty about it, all these years later.
Kate: When I realized why you asked me out I was a little angry, but also curious. I thought, maybe he does know what I've been through. I'm glad I came.
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Eduardo was once again listening to Frank Roush talk about the classic cars in Cuba. Eduardo kept his business going by being smart, giving soldiers harmless vices for free. He also kept them informed about certain radical elements. In exchange they left him and his business alone. Eduardo noticed when someone pretended to be drunk. Frank here slurred his words, but seemed to be forcing himself to do it. He always ordered his drinks with ice, they absorbed much of the alcohol. And he ordered another drink when his first one was still half-full. The average customer assumed he was drunk, but Eduardo had his doubts. He called the cuban police, whatever they did, was no longer this artender's concern.