The Aden Effect Read Online Free

around the bar. “I’ll pick up anyone’s tab who wants to call it a night,” he said to the locals, nearly all of whom had become his friends since he arrived in Ullapool and discovered this pub.
    One by one, the patrons rose and left. A couple put a reassuring hand on Stark’s shoulder as they passed. A few tourists unsure of what was happening quickly downed their drinks and decided to go to another pub.
    â€œSir, you need to come with us,” Billings said when only the four of them remained.
    â€œThanks, but I think I’ll stay here, Lieutenant Commander Billings. Have you seen this town? Pretty, isn’t it? Good drinks and good people too,” he said as he looked around the bar. “It’s quiet, and it’s my home now.”
    â€œI’m sorry, sir, but that’s not an option. You will come with us.”
    â€œLook, I’ve done my duty—although some of the Navy JAG folks might disagree with that—and my departure from the Navy wasn’t exactly on the best of terms. Someone in BUPERS must have royally screwed up their database to cut orders for me. I suggest you go back and tell them that.”
    â€œThere’s been no mistake, sir. I can’t tell you who or why, because I just don’t know, sir. All I know is that I’ve never seen orders issued this fast. They wererequested, issued, and delivered within the past six hours. The direction came from the secretary of defense himself.”
    Stark frowned in surprise. Had a new secretary decided to rescind the decision of his court-martial and return him to account for his previous actions? “What if I don’t return with you?”
    â€œWe begin extradition proceedings and you will face incarceration upon returning to the United States.”
    Stark paused, rethinking Maggie’s suggestion and regretting his decision to clear out the pub. “Lieutenant Commander Billings,” Stark said, downing his second scotch, “I’m not leaving here unless there’s one hell of a good reason.”
    â€œCommander Stark, I was told that you are needed for an assignment for which you are uniquely qualified.”
    Stark laughed. “The hell I am. Give me those orders.” He took them and squinted in the pub’s fading light, struggling to read the small type. “Yemen?” He turned to face the bar. “Maggie, I may need another.”
    With a wry look, she set the bottle of Talisker by his glass. For now, at least, he was on his own.
    The lieutenant commander looked at his companion and then back at Stark. “We don’t have much time,” he said to Stark, “but we’ll be here until first light. We’ll expect to see you at the helicopter then.”
    Stark nodded. “I’ll be there with an answer. That’s all I can promise. If it’s not what you want to hear, get the handcuffs ready.”
    â€œDo I have your word that you won’t try to leave this town until then, sir?”
    â€œWhen Connor Stark gives his word, he keeps it,” Maggie said sharply. “Either take a seat and eat something or leave. We don’t make money here just talking.”
    Outside the bar, darkness was setting in early with the rain. The lights from the few streetlights reflected eerily off the misty fog that had settled over the harbor and the town.

    â€œYou’re not taking those two men seriously, are you, Connor?” Maggie asked long after the two Navy men had eaten and departed for their hotel.
    â€œThey have official orders. I could go to prison if I don’t.”
    â€œBut you left that life. It almost killed you. Why go back?” Maggie said plaintively as she turned the key to the final lock on the pub door. The FriarJohn Cor was always the last pub to close in Ullapool. She turned to face him, her red hair already beginning to sparkle with droplets of the mist.
    â€œI did my job there. I don’t want to go