"Why not? Isn't this F-20 still a potential threat to them?"
"Well, theoretically, yes. But with limited armament of guns and two heat-seeking missiles, the F-20 would be similar to the F-16, which we and the Israelis already fly." Wake pressed his point. "Remember, Jordan wanted F-16s and we refused so they bought Fulcrums from the Soviets. We've only been hurting ourselves by acceding to the Israeli lobby in Congress all these years." There, it was out in the open.
The president shifted his gaze to the Secretary of State. "Thurmon, what do you make of all this?"
"State has no serious objections, sir. In fact, I'm in favor of selling the Saudis or anybody else whatever they want to buy, within broad limits. Aside from economic reasons, it makes good political sense. The Saudis are the key to the whole region if we're going to maintain any kind of balance there. Especially now that Israel occupies Jordan. If we can keep the Saudis happy by selling some second-line airplanes, by all means do so. Anything we can do to maintain our presence and influence should be encouraged, especially with the growing Iranian fundamentalist movement."
Walter Arnold lightly tapped his fingers on the table, his mind already made up. "Very well. We'll approve the F-20 sale and put up no obstacles if the Saudis want to hire some former military pilots as instructors. But let's try to keep this as low profile as possible." He looked around the table. "This meeting is adjourned."
Levi Bar-El braced himself for another grilling from Colonel Chaim Geller. The man torments me, thought the young lieutenant, because he has no other diversion. In truth, Bar-El recognized that the section chief was pushing a protege's limits, forcing him to become more competent, less dogmatic in his thinking. Dealing with the recent Jordanian crisis saw to that. And right now Bar-El was ready for more "therapy."
"Ah, good morning, Levi. Sit down." Geller pushed a chair out from the table. "What do you have on our mysterious Americans?"
"Sir, we believe they are no longer in the U.S. Our covert team inspected Bennett's apartment and found nothing out of order. His passport was there, but because of the sighting in London we believe the Saudis provided him with a duplicate. Our people did photograph a strange object, however. It seemed odd enough to bring to your attention." Bar-El unclipped a Polaroid photo from the report and slid it across the table.
Chaim Geller examined the photo. The green figurine of a pregnant woman intrigued him. "It's not from North America, I can tell you that." Bar-EI was taken aback. He knew almost nothing about his superior's outside interests and never would have taken the shrewd intelligence officer for an archaeologist or art historian.
"Well, no, Colonel. Our evaluation from the university is that the piece came from the Middle East-probably Arabia or Oman. It dates from about the tenth century B.C., but whatever the date, it is rather rare and therefore very valuable. Professor Mersky at the antiquities center said he had only seen six or eight such figures himself, and this one is in better condition than most."
The colonel handed back the photo. "Very well. What else?"
"Bennett and Lawrence seem to have been in London for several days, as I noted. But it is unlikely they will return to California anytime soon." The lieutenant checked his notes. "Lawrence's sports car was taken to his home and put in the garage. Evidently both Bennett and Lawrence have someone looking after things-watering lawns, paying bills, and so on. Bennett's son at Arizona State University seems to know relatively little, but doesn't appear overly concerned. Our contact thought it best not to press the matter. We'll· monitor him on a regular basis."
Geller stood up and stretched. He wanted to go for a walk in the sunlight, but glanced ruefully at the paper stacked on his desk. "All right, Levi. I saw the report on the other American fliers, and I see there are two or three British pilots on the Saudi list. I've forwarded a memo to Air Force intelligence. Obviously, the Saudis are expanding their training cadre. The cabinet will want to know about this, and no doubt there will be concern. But for now, let's not draw hasty conclusions. The Saudis are in the middle of all this."
Geller noticed the mild look of surprise on the lieutenant's face.
"Now don't misunderstand, Levi. Of course the Saudis wish us no good. But you want to develop your sense of objectivity in this business. Put yourself in their position. With Iran, Syria, and even Iraq and others becoming more unified under the Muslim radicals, a relatively moderate regime will be hard-pressed to remain apart."
Bar-El said, "It may be impossible for the Saudis."
Geller decided to play devil's advocate. "Let's say you're now the king of Saudi Arabia. What would you do to help keep your throne and guarantee your family's position and prestige?"
Thinking for a moment, Bar-EI spoke carefully. "Well, I would try to maintain a balance, try to have it both ways. I would open channels to the fundamentalist Muslims while strengthening my position with the Western powers-the source of my military equipment and market for my petroleum."
Geller gave a decisive nod, his double chin outthrust. "Just so."
He flexed his shoulder muscles. It was getting warm inside. "I'll make a prediction, Levi. We'll see relative calm-I said relative calm-for another couple of years. But once the Arabs have time to consolidate their gains and increase their political unity, we're in for one hell of a fight." The colonel smiled. "You're a fortunate young man. You're going to live to see some very interesting times."
Chapter 4
"Now this i somebody who appreciates our talent," opined Ed Lawrence. Looking about him, he took in the immaculate new facility on the Persian Gulf island, still not wholly completed. "It's amazing what you can do when the head office just says, 'Do it.' If this was in the States, the ink would still be drying on the letter of intent. "
Bennett said, "The advantages of a monarchy, my boy."
In truth, Bahrain was an independent state, nominally autonomous from Saudi Arabia. But Riyadh had long paid most of the little nation's defense bills. Now, with establishment of the F-20 program, the king wanted his second air force built and trained here. It was near enough to Riyadh, but away from prying eyes and-if need be-closer to Iran to intercept unwelcome ships or aircraft.
The new compound inside the airport perimeter was solely for the American and British instructors. It included single-level apartments with a central swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, and a plush lounge. The latter featured elegant wood and leather decor, comfortable chairs, and a horseshoe bar.
Not yet completed was a gymnasium and a fifty-meter pistol range. Bennett intended to teach small-arms proficiency in order to create well-rounded warriors.
"Besides," he told Lawrence, "I like to shoot."
The Saudis had made startling progress in the three months since Bennett and Lawrence had arrived from London. British supervisors and foremen had ensured quality work. The combination auditorium and briefing room where instructor pilots and maintenance supervisors would meet, and where preflight and debriefings would occur, was ahead of schedule. Bennett recalled the king saying that much groundwork had begun even before instructors were recruited, and the time saving was substantial.