“We’ve identified a stretch of roadway,” Prati continued, “two hundred miles outside the city that’s thinly populated. It’s being evacuated right now and state troopers are getting ready to deploy a tire deflation device in front of the van.”
“What if there really is a nuclear device onboard?” DeSantos asked.
“There is,” Prati said. “We’ve got mobile sensors picking up higher than normal background radiation. Enough to raise the alarm.”
“And you still think blowing out the tires is the way to go?” Vail asked.
“Obviously there’s risk,” Prati said. “But we’ve been over it and that’s our best option.”
“We just got some other information,” Vail said, “about al Humat bringing in Iranian nuclear material through the Cortez tunnels.”
“When? Where?”
“All we know is Mexico. No idea when. Probably soon.”
“And,” DeSantos said, “they’ve apparently got an operative at a defense contractor in Los Angeles. Which one, we have no idea.”
“Does Knox or Bolten—”
“No one knows yet.”
“I’ll bring them up to speed,” Prati said. “We’ll check it all out.”
Ten minutes later they arrived at Le Bourget Airport. Claude led them to the tarmac and onto a set of self-deploying stairs that led to the hatch of the Boeing business jet.
They followed him inside — as Vail tried to keep her jaw from dropping open. It did anyway.
“A modified 737,” Claude said. “It’s got the range to take you where you need to go. Master bedroom, showers, dining area, living room.”
Four plush ivory leather seats were arranged around a polished walnut table opposite a matching couch that stretched half the length of the room.
Claude looked around, seemed satisfied, then shook DeSantos’s hand. “Bon voyage.”
They thanked him for his help and he left the cabin, heading back down the steps.
Despite her misgivings about him, Vail appreciated his dependability and assistance. Don’t ever let me find out that you’re a serial killer, Claude. Because then I’ll have to track you down and arrest you.
The captain left the cockpit and introduced himself. “I’ve filed a false flight plan that’ll use a specially outfitted transponder to make us appear to be traveling half our air speed and heading toward Germany. On the return flight I’ll pick up that flight plan and return here. No one will know where we really went.” He nodded at a satchel sitting on the table. “It’s all we could put together on short notice.”
DeSantos peered inside. Vail saw what looked like satellite phones — and money in Israeli notes — shekels.
“We’ll make do,” DeSantos said. “Thanks.”
“The phones have one special feature you should know about: RF fibers on a microchip. Pop the chip out and you’ve got a tracking device.”
“How long in the air?” Vail asked as she sat down on one of the plush leather seats.
“Five hours. There’s food, drink, beds, showers. My orders are to get you out of French airspace ASAP. We’ll be pushing back in two minutes.” He returned to the cockpit, where it looked like he was joined by a copilot — which Vail assumed was another Agency employee or contractor.
“I suggest we grab three hours of sleep,” DeSantos said, glancing at his watch. “Then we’ll meet back here for a mission briefing.”
PART 3
“Blessed be he who preserves it and cursed be he who steals it, and cursed be he who sells it, and cursed be he who pawns it. It may not be sold and it may not be defiled forever.”
“It is the Holy Land. It’s called that for a reason. It’s holy to the three great monotheistic religions. That’s two billion Christians, one billion and a half Muslims, and 14 million Jews. That’s almost half the world. So what happens there matters.”
61
Three hours passed too quickly. When Vail’s phone alarm went off, she did not want to open her eyes, let alone get out of bed. It took her a moment to orient herself — but a short bump of turbulence was enough to shake her mind back to the present. They had given her the master bedroom, which, with a pillow-topped mattress, provided the most comfortable experience she had ever had on an airplane.
This is the way to travel.
They convened in the main cabin in leather chairs that surrounded the table. Large mugs of coffee were at each seat, black and steaming.
“Caffeine,” DeSantos said, setting a carafe of milk next to Uzi. “Drink up, get your heads in order.”
Uzi rubbed his eyes and did a couple neck rotations. “Let’s get started.”
“Some information’s come in while we were sleeping,” DeSantos said. “First, Prati said they took down that van without a fight. They found the same radiological material that was packed into the truck in New York City. The tangos were arrested and are being questioned. All the defense contractors in LA are in lockdown. All incoming and outgoing communications for the past year are being checked. Hard drives and servers are being examined. It’s a friggin’ mess, but they’ll find him. Or her.”
“And the Cortez tunnels?” Fahad asked.
“They’re working on it.”
Vail suddenly did not need the java to wake up.
“Second,” DeSantos said, “Knox is en route. And we’ve got new orders.”
They waited for him to elaborate. Instead, he took a drink from his cup.
“The president does not want us to apprehend Sahmoud,” he said after another swallow. He’s concerned it’d send the wrong message while he’s trying to negotiate peace.”
Vail slammed her hand on the table. “Arresting a notorious terrorist, number three most wanted, who’s launched attacks on the US and killed scores of people — that’s sending the wrong message?” She turned to Uzi. “You have a relationship with the president. Why don’t you talk some sense into him?”
Uzi broke a smile. “We don’t have a relationship. I was at his inauguration.”
DeSantos took another drink. “Doesn’t matter. We’re not going to obey those orders.”
“We’re not?” Fahad said, eyebrows arched. He tilted his head. “Shouldn’t we put this to a vote?”
DeSantos stared him down. “No, Knox and Secretary McNamara are on board.”
Fahad squirmed in his seat. “You’re sure. The director told you this.”
“In so many words. He used a passphrase.”
“A passphrase.” Fahad glanced at Uzi, then back at DeSantos. “I think we need to be absolutely clear on this.”
“Let me be clear,” DeSantos said. “You can accept what I’m telling you, or you can stay on this plane when we land. Or you’re welcome to parachute out at any time during the next ninety minutes.”
“Okay, let’s all just take a breath,” Vail said slowly. “Hector. Knox gave you new orders but then told you not to follow them. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Right. Maybe someone was there with him, so he had to be appearing to tell me one thing when in fact he was telling me the opposite. Bottom line, nothing’s changed. But I wanted you to be aware of what was going on.”
That’d be great if I really knew what’s going on.