“Do the Chileans know you have this — warhead?”
“The general who authorized the Chilean military aircraft knows that we’re wanted men because of the Las Tortugas incident but nothing more. He and his people have been advised that it could be a dangerous trip and to expect trouble, but they’re providing us an aircraft in return for bringing their bomber home safely.” Jack nodded in the direction of the warhead. “You can see it’s important that we fly back into the United States — if nothing else, to secure the warhead, given the Permissive Arming Procedures.”
“I just don’t think the President would—”
“Ms. Simpson,” Jack interrupted. “The government has murdered three of our crew and attempted to kill me on two different occasions. Not to mention sacrificed an entire SEAL platoon.”
“So I tell the President what you have and what you want. He’s to allow the Chilean aircraft free entry into US airspace without harassment.” She glanced at the paper. “The airport you’ve selected is a military field at the missile test facility inside White Sands, New Mexico.”
Jack nodded.
“In exchange for Leah and the President’s personal guarantee of no further prosecution of this case, you and your people agree to hand over the device and keep quiet.”
Jack nodded again. “Perfect.”
CHAPTER 111
“Oh my God, Ms. Simpson!” Teresa’s secretary’s voice made a tinny echo through her mobile phone. “I’ve been so worried about you!”
“I’m in Punta Arenas, Chile, with Jack Hobson. This is directly related to the problem that we discussed while I was in Washington, remember?” Teresa paused and took a deep breath while Jeanie acknowledged. “I need to speak directly with the President. Right now. Is your friend still working at the White House?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said.
“Call him and relay what I’ve just told you. Tell him I expect the President to call me at this number. Do you understand?”
Teresa clicked off and glanced over at Jack Hobson. “I expect to get a call from the President within an hour.”
“How do you know message will get to him?”
“Trust me, I have my ways.”
Before she could continue, her phone rang, but the number was blocked. She glanced at her watch. “That’s a record, even for Washington.”
She answered the phone, nodded twice, and then switched her cell phone to speaker.
“Ms. Simpson? Are you there?” The smooth baritone was instantly recognizable.
“Is Stanton Fischer with you, Mr. President?” she asked.
“No, he’s not present.”
“When this is all done, Mr. President, I’m going to tell you and your lapdog exactly what you can do with yourselves. For now, my only concern is the safe return of an Iso-Hafnium warhead. And Dr. Leah Andrews.” Teresa passed along Jack Hobson’s simple list of demands and a detailed description of the warhead.
“I’m shocked at what you’re telling me, Ms. Simpson,” said the President. “The civilians were to be extracted safely. I have absolutely no knowledge, nor would I ever authorize the use of such weapons, even if they existed.”
Jack had heard better from used car sales representatives, but he kept his mouth shut, for the moment.
“Is Mr. Hobson available?” asked the President, his voice wavering slightly.
“He’s been standing here the entire time,” Teresa said.
“I’d like to have a private conversation with him.”
Teresa handed the phone to Jack and stepped away.
“Jack Hobson here.”
“This is the President. Now, I’m sure you understand that this is an extremely dangerous game you’re playing, and—”
“Shut up and listen,” Jack said. “My only interest is the safe return of Dr. Leah Andrews.” For that I’m willing to exchange the Hafnium warhead and the codes.” Jack fished the taped-together pieces of paper with the arming codes and sequence from his jacket. “This is proof that I have the information necessary to arm and detonate the warhead, thanks to Gus Beckam.” He read off the codes. “Are we clear?”
“What exactly are your terms?” The President’s tone had changed dramatically.
“After Dr. Andrews is safe and secure with me, you’ll have our complete silence. Or we’ll affirm whatever story you’re dreaming up to avoid the next world war.”
“We agree,” said the President.
Jack drew a deep breath to calm himself, letting the President wait. “I understand that you’re agreeing to my terms. Unconditionally.”
“Yes, however, you are not to enter the air space of the continental United States. We’ll arrange to have you divert to Diego Garcia. It’s a remote British military base located in the South Atlantic. I’m sure you understand our safety concerns.”
“No deal,” Jack said flatly. “I’m coming right up the coast of South America, and then we’re continuing across along the Baja peninsula and across northern Mexico, entering the United States over El Paso, Texas, and landing at Holloman Air Force base in Alamogordo. You will notify the Mexican government that we are on a drug interdiction mission and provide us whatever clearances we need, including air traffic control codes allowing us safe passage. Do you understand?”
It was the President’s turn to pause. “It sounds like you’re running the show, for now.”
“I have just one word of caution, Mr. President. Commander Beckam, a real American hero, not only showed me how to arm the warheads. He also filled me in on that little job you ordered done in Iran using similar warheads.”
“I’m listening,” said the President.
“If you’re thinking of shooting us down with air-to-air missiles, you’d better kill me instantly because I will enter all but the last digit of the field code and set the warhead’s timer on zero. That’ll give you a little something to explain to the American people. Furthermore, I’ve already arranged for this full story — and the details of the Iran operation — to be relayed to media outlets around the world in the case of my death.”
Jack breathed a sigh, when the President said, “Understood. You have my word that you will be free to enter American air space as you have requested.”
“Expect to find us on the ground at Holloman Air Force Base in thirty-six hours.” Jack ended the call and handed Teresa Simpson her phone.
“The President isn’t one of my favorite people,” she said, “but I expect that he will hold up his end of the bargain.”
“I highly doubt he plans to hold up his end of the deal, Ms. Simpson. Regardless, I’m prepared to continue in good faith.” Jack walked over to Paulson and reached out for his hand. “Thanks for getting us off the ice.”
Paulson nodded solemnly. “We’ll be waiting for your call, Jacky.”
Jack followed Garrett and Marko, who each carried one strap of the giant red bag, struggling to hold it off the tarmac as they walked toward the loading ramp of a Chilean C-130 Hercules.
“You sure we can’t tag along?” asked Garrett over his shoulder.
“You two have gotten yourselves in enough trouble on Leah’s account. It’s about time I take a little of that responsibility myself.”
Ridley joined him next to the C-130, followed by Angus Lyon and Orlando Perez. “I understand what you’re doing, Jack, but it still doesn’t sit right with me. We’re all in this together.”
Jack reached out grabbed the older mechanic’s hand. “Someone’s got to tell the story if we don’t make it. I’m counting on you guys to do it.”