He recalled his first introduction to Burke when Kingsley Marshall, the CIA Director, gave him several dossiers on prospective employees he might use in setting up Worldwide Communications Consultants. Marshall told him how Hill had tracked down the Jabberwock conspirators, one of whom was the CIA's own counterintelligence chief. But what had impressed Nate Highsmith most was how Burke had doggedly struggled to make his own way despite all the obstacles. Both parents had died just before his graduation from high school. He worked as a clerk for the FBI while going to George Washington University, then scored high marks in agent training. For thirteen years, he compiled an excellent record with the Bureau. He spent the last few of those years working in a group under direct control of the whimsical J. Edgar Hoover, carrying out assignments that were frequently illegal, or at best unethical, on the strength of the great man's word that they were proper and in the best interests of the nation. Nate knew that in later years, it was a subject that caused Burke no small amount of pain. His career had been shockingly terminated by the impulsive Director in an attempt to cover up the failure of Hoover's ill-considered scheme to infiltrate the Mafia. Hoover blacklisted him and used the FBI to thwart every attempt to restart his career in other areas.
After several years of self-imposed exile, Burke had taken on the Jabberwock conspirators in an Indiana Jones crusade. In the process, he proved Hoover's "failure" accusation patently false. He showed that he had risen above the slavish path of mistaken duty forced on him by the powerful, charismatic Director. Clearly, he was now his own man, someone with an ingrained sense of what was right and proper, a person no longer intimidated by the trappings of power and prestige.
As he considered it, Nate realized it was these same qualities that were the likely source of the current problem. He would have to tread carefully through this emotionally-charged mine field. For the sake of their continued longterm relationship, he thought it best not to confront Burke with any accusations but to give him every reason and every opportunity to come forward on his own.
It was late afternoon when Toni Carlucci called Burke with word that he was wanted in Nate Highsmith's office. Burke had been concerned over the best approach to tracking down the details on Adam Stern ever since talking with his son. Maybe it was time to get things out in the open and confront Nate head-on with what he knew concerning the mysterious FAR agent. But as he walked down the corridor to Nate's office, he thought of Brittany and decided to wait and see what she was able to dig up.
Toni was on the phone but nodded toward the door to Nate's office. When Burke entered, he found Highsmith scanning a thick amber file.
"How was New York?" Burke inquired casually.
"Same as ever. Rushing, crowded. When I lived there, I thought it was the greatest place in the world. From this vantage point, I'm not so sure."
"The place is a bit much for me," Burke said. Then, like donning a bright new tie, he promptly put on a winning smile. "Say, I've got some good news to report."
"What's that?"
"The twins are going to be okay. The tests came back negative. Probably just had a virus of some sort. Antibiotics should take care of everything."
"Glad to hear that," Nate said, though his frown did not convey that feeling with any degree of intensity. Then a smile slowly began to creep across his face. "I have some good news, too. Bernard Whitehurst informed me that I've been selected for a vacant seat on the Foreign Affairs Roundtable board of directors."
Burke's expression reflected more surprise than pleasure. "That's great, Nate. Congratulations." This added another complicating factor to the equation, he thought. It effectively removed any doubt that Nate should be on the inside when it came to operations involving FAR staff.
"This will give you a direct link to the board's activities," Nate said, as if he were offering Burke a key to open the inner sanctum. "If you ever have any questions or any problems about projects the Roundtable is involved in, you know you can come to me. I'll be happy to address any concerns."
"Sure, Nate. Thanks." He attempted to sound upbeat, but he was confused. Had he said anything that might indicate a problem with the Roundtable?
"I think I should take you to the Federal Club and let you meet more of our members," Nate continued, watching Burke carefully as he spoke. It was an exclusive private club where Nate frequently went for lunch. "The next time Laurence Coyne comes down, he'll probably bring Adam Stern with him. I'd like you to meet Stern."
The mention of Stern's name sent Burke's eyes snapping open like a high-speed shutter. The picture they got was a murky one. This little chat had suddenly taken on a disturbing tone. The talk about possible problems or questions concerning Roundtable projects, the sudden tossing in of Adam Stern's name. It sounded as though Nate was aware of what he had encountered in Mexico. But that was out of the question. Unless, he reflected, Roberto Garcia had gone back on his word. Burke had been certain Roberto would remain silent, even though the Mexico City manager was obviously quite concerned that the Shining Path guerrillas were entering the U.S.
"Adam is a former CIA officer," Nate was saying. He glanced away for the first time, as though he had already seen what he was looking for, and wasn't pleased with what he saw. "He's involved in a number of Roundtable projects. After you begin to take part, you'll better understand how vital the organization is to the establishment of world order. I daresay, to the very future of mankind. Of course, you and I, of all people, realize that only those with access to all the facts can make informed judgments regarding particular operations. As you well know, when someone sees only a part of the picture, it is difficult to understand exactly what is taking place and why. But I can assure you, whatever the Foreign Affairs Roundtable gets involved in, it is designed to further the interests of the United States as well as the world at large. Oh, and incidentally, I wanted to caution you about the possibility of an Amber Group operation accidentally running afoul of something the FAR is involved in. If that should happen, I'm sure I can count on you to inform me immediately."
Burke was so distressed by what he was hearing that it took a moment to realize the last comment required an answer. "Ah, yeah, Nate. Right. You can count on me."
Now he was positive. Nate had to be aware that he knew something about Adam Stern's involvement in Mexico. And that would mean Nate had knowledge of Major Romashchuk's activities. That little speech was clearly designed to allay his fears, to convince him that without access to the big picture, he could not properly judge what was going on. But how could a group of Peruvian terrorists armed with chemical weapons possibly be involved in anything designed to further the interests of the United States, not to mention the world at large? There was no way.
He wondered again if Roberto had gotten cold feet and called Nate. If so, Garcia must have heard the same song and dance intended to stop him from pursuing the matter further.
From what had been said, it seemed that Nate expected him to confess to how he had stumbled onto the Stern-Romashchuk operation. That would mean telling about his encounter with Colonel Rodman and Yuri Shumakov. Burke couldn't bring himself to do that. Evidently the purpose of this discussion was to get him to open up and tell exactly what he knew. He didn't intend to play that game.
"I'll keep everything you've told me in mind," he said solemnly. "Did you need me for anything else? I've got some calls to make."
Nate shook his head, somewhat sadly. "No, that's all."
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