The guest list included only the most elite of government officials and their spouses. Commodore Cole sat in one of the front rows, beaming with excitement. Among the row of the president’s staff sat Isaac Steele, looking uncomfortable. Fingering the computer card in his pocket, Steiner was thankful that Mason was going to escape possible prosecution, but his stomach still turned with worry over his missing weapons officer. Why had Tramer run off? Had he gone looking for his wife and daughter? After all, a small girl’s scream had incited him to run away. Maybe Tramer had gone to search for them—but then again, how would he know where to look? What would he do if he found them? Nerves sparked a trail from Steiner’s head to his feet, making all his body hair stand on end. Would Tramer hurt his wife for taking his daughter away? Worse yet, would he try to take her back? Steiner would have dismissed the thought, but after what had happened the previous night, he couldn’t be sure anymore.
