True Honor

Praise for Dee Henderson and
True Honor

“The absorbing third entry in [her] Uncommon Heroes series exemplifies why Henderson, a wildly successful CBA novelist, is dominating this market’s paperback fiction best-seller list.”

Publishers Weekly

“
True Honor
will appeal to the patriotism of every American. Dee Henderson is a fantastic storyteller who knows how to keep and maintain reader interest from the very first page.”

Midwest Book Review

“Henderson continues to delight readers with her romantic thrillers, and her popularity continues to soar. Her mainstream crossover appeal makes this a necessary addition to all collections.”

Library Journal

“The name Dee Henderson is synonymous with authenticity. Her books shine with believable facts and descriptions while her characters think and act like the professionals they are.”

Romantic Times
magazine

“Dee Henderson delivers an uncommonly good story with grace and style.”

Romancejournal.com

“[Dee Henderson] has created a truly stunning tale of love and devotion to God, country, and to those left behind when the missions are done.”

Compuserve Reviews

* * *

Readers’ Praise

“My husband is in the Air Force, so it is nice to read military stories that are based in reality!” —R. G.

“You have an amazing ability to weave a tale about Christians struggling to make sense out of their lives and the curveballs they’re thrown. The Scripture verses used throughout the story are well placed and fit the story masterfully.” —K. R.

“Thank you for sharing your gift and love of God.” —S. H.

“Dee Henderson is a phenomenal writer. Her books are fast-paced and keep you on the edge of your seat. Be warned . . . if you ever read one of Dee’s books, you’ll be hooked!” —T., Amazon.com reader

* * *

Visit Tyndale’s exciting Web site at www.tyndale.com

TYNDALE
and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

True Honor

Copyright © 2002 by Dee Henderson. All rights reserved.

Previously published in 2002 by Multnomah Publishers, Inc. under ISBN 1-57673-043-2

Cover photographs of man and woman © by Aleta Rafton. All rights reserved.

Illustration of Seal © 2001 by Dawson 3D, Inc. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1952 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.

ISBN–10: 1-4143-1064-1

ISBN–13: 978-1-4143-1064-0

14 13 12 11 10 09 08

13 12 11 10 9 8 7

While I have endeavored to be accurate in both the terminology and tactics of a Navy SEAL and those who work in the intelligence agencies, I was at best only able to capture a feel for what their jobs are like. This is a work of fiction and all errors are mine.

Table of Contents

Glossary

Prologue

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Nine

Thirty

Author’s Note

Glossary

BLACK OPS:
Military operations that are conducted without public knowledge.

bolt-hole:
A location arranged as a secure place to hide should a spy be discovered.

BUD/S:
Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL. The name for the initial six-month training program at the facility in Coronado, California, which all men hoping to be SEALs must pass.

CINC:
Commander-IN-Chief.

CO:
Commanding Officer.

cover blind:
A location and occupation created to provide a long-term false background for a spy.

Cover Your Six:
Slang for “watch your back.” Something in the “six o’clock” position would be behind you.

DIA:
Defense Intelligence Agency.

GPS:
Global Positioning System. Satellite guidance around earth used to precisely pinpoint aircraft, ships, vehicles, and ground troops.

IRA:
Irish Republican Army.

NSA:
National Security Agency.

NATO Phonetic Alphabet:
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.

NVGs:
Night Vision Goggles give good night vision in the dark with a greenish view.

Roger:
A yes, an affirmative, a go answer to a command or statement.

SAS:
Britain’s Special Air Service. An elite branch of the British Special Forces.

SDV:
Seal Delivery Vehicle.

SEAL:
One of the elite branches of the U.S. Special Forces operating from the sea, air, or land.

tango(s):
Terrorist.

TRIDENT:
SEAL’s emblem. An eagle with talons clutching a Revolutionary War pistol and Neptune’s trident superimposed on the Navy’s traditional anchor.

ZODIAC:
A rubber motorized craft designed to carry SEALs covertly to shore.

But understand this, that in the last days

there will come times of stress.

2 TIMOTHY 3:1

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

PSALM 54:4

Prologue

* * *

SEPTEMBER 7

Friday, 6:10 a.m.

Shelton, North Dakota

There was a bounty on Darcy St. James’s life, and in the world where she had once worked, having someone come after her was still more likely than not. She rested a booted foot against the lower fence rail she’d replaced the day before and ran an experienced eye along the length of triple-rail fence, judging how much paint she would need to cover the new rails, while in the back of her mind she wondered if this was the day she would be interrupted by unwanted company.

After weeks of clearing out dead branches and undergrowth, the line of evergreens that provided a wind and snow break for the house had a tended-to look. At least the grounds of the place she called home would return to some semblance of order before winter came, even if the house itself was still torn apart. She loved this place. It was just proving to be a multiyear repair project.

She sipped her coffee and then reached down for the rifle resting against the fence railing. For those who bothered to ask, it was for the prowling coyote that had killed her neighbor’s chickens, but in reality it was for her own security. Winter was coming and snow, and this year that was a good thing. It would be much harder for someone to approach the house with a few feet of snow to wade through.

A patrol car slowed on the nearby road, and Darcy lifted her hand to her sister. Amy and her husband, Jacob Bond, lived down the road. There were worse things than having an older sister with a protective streak who happened to be the town sheriff. And if Darcy did a little quiet watching out of her own for her sister’s safety, she kept it to herself. There were some benefits to working for the government that lasted past an early retirement at thirty-five.

This place was beginning to feel like home. It was different living in one location and setting down roots, but she could feel herself relaxing deep inside.

Jesus, I didn’t realize how much stress had built up until I was able to fully stop. The verse this morning from Psalm 54 was perfect: “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” I’m grateful that You brought me back here.