"Perhaps that's what's wrong. If I could just tell the full story I might feel better."
"Impossible. Can you imagine the entire nation carrying a load on its back the way you are now?"
Wade laughed bitterly. "It might wake them up."
"I understand, Wade. My insides feel it too. But let him be the hero."
"He will be," Wade said, reaching for the bottle again. "He will be."
"Then let him. We have more important things to think about now." The Secretary got up. Wade grasped the empty tumbler in the palm of his hand, squeezing tightly.
"Ackerson said red."
"I know," replied the Secretary.
"Red means danger. The crater should have been stained yellow."
"Perhaps there was a mix-up in containers."