After The First Death

While General Markhand waits for Ben to return, he thinks over the night he sent Ben to the bridge to deliver the stone belonging to the operation’s leader. He remembers giving Ben instructions for the meeting and feeling like he held two conversations at once, “one with my son and the other with a member of staff personnel being given an assignment” (190). Though the mission will be dangerous, Ben is eager and willing to go.

In a flashback, General Markhand drives Ben to the Inner Delta headquarters near the bridge. The general is sure Artkin will use a bit of torture, but he convinces himself it will not be too painful for Ben. When they arrive at headquarters, General Markhand receives a phone call that the attack will go on at 9:30. Ben leaves, and his father waits, listening to the audio channel to the van that one of their men established without Artkin’s knowledge. A half hour later, the general hears Ben’s screams as Artkin tortures him.

Back in the present, General Markhand reads that Ben decided not to go to Brimmler’s Bridge before his father returned. The general knows this is an attempt to throw him off Ben’s trail.