Chapter 23 Summary

Michael and Seamus meet Erik Olson for lunch. Seamus asks Olson about the budget summit at Camp David, but Olson says he does not want to talk about it. Under pressure from Michael and Seamus, and with their assurances that they will keep the information private, Erik finally tells them about Garret and Stevens' plan to make it look as though they are cutting the budget, even though they are not. Disgusted, Seamus says that all of the men involved deserve to die. Erik is alarmed at hearing this, and tries to convince Seamus to reconsider. Seamus says the dead men deserved to die, too. Reacting, Olson offends Seamus with a comment about his past connection to the Irish Republican Army.

The two men continue to argue, and the debate grows heated. Olson finally apologizes, and admits that he is disgusted with what...