Washington

President Treadwell couldn’t attend the Task Force meeting. But the rest of them were there when Craig arrived ten minutes late because of insane traffic on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge coming into the city. Washington in rush-hour traffic was the worst in the country.

The others were all seated around the table. To paraphrase the movie Casablanca, he had rounded up the usual suspects. Ed Grayson from DOD, General Braddock, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Colonel Rhodes from DIA, R.J. Hennessey from State, and George Leeds, the FBI Director, accompanied by his young assistant, Maureen. Craig couldn’t understand why Leeds needed her. His guess was that Leeds felt having her tag along wherever he went enhanced his own importance.

“I want to bring you all up to date,” Craig said, “on recent developments.”

All eyes were focused on the CIA Director.

Without PowerPoint, Craig reported that he had made the choice of Jill as a dangle. He then distributed her bio. He explained what happened in Las Vegas, omitting that Jill was in her house with guards around the clock and Elizabeth was pretending to be Jill. He told them he would be going to Monte Carlo with Jill and a CIA contract hire to try and catch whoever was trying to get their hands on PGS.

The instant Craig finished, Leeds pounced. In a surly voice he said “I can’t believe you let that Russian, Vladimir, or whoever the hell he was, leave Las Vegas. You should have arrested him.”

“I’m hoping we can move up the food chain in Monte Carlo.”

“Hoping. That’s the operative word.” Leeds voice was dripping with sarcasm. “Perhaps praying might be more accurate. And to think of how you chastised me for not arresting Angie. What you’ve done is ten times more stupid.”

Craig tried to remain calm. “I’m sorry you feel that way. The situations are not analogous.”

“And when your Russian pal doesn’t show in Monte Carlo and you’re standing around with your dick in your hand, you’ll know then that you screwed up your chance to blow this wide open.”

Craig had the same concern. Which he had no intention of sharing with members of the Task Force. Looking around, he saw troubled faces. To some extent, he thought, they no doubt shared Leeds’ misgivings.

“What’s worse,” Leeds continued in his harangue. “These people will now go underground only to surface months from now when we least expect it.”

Hennessey spoke up. “Why didn’t you bring the dangle idea to the Task Force before you launched it?”

“There wasn’t time.”

“That’s bullshit,” Leeds shot back. “Of course you had time for a brief meeting or even a conference call. You wanted to act on
your own.”

Hennessey picked it up. “The process point bothers me. President Treadwell appointed a Task Force to run the operation, responding to Paul Walters’ death. He made you Chairman, but we weren’t supposed to be bystanders. We were intended to have meaningful roles. You’ve essentially disenfranchised all of us. You’re flying solo on this.”

“Amen,” Leeds said.

Craig decided he’d better smooth this over before it got out of hand. “You make a good point, R.J. Even if there wasn’t time for a meeting, I should have convened a conference call. I’ll do better in the future. Okay?”

Hennessey was shaking his head. “I’m also troubled by the substance.

“What do you mean?”

“With all due respect, Craig, I don’t like the dangle idea.” He sounded worried. “I’ve read Jill’s bio. You’re putting the life of a single mom at risk. Someone who lost her father and husband in the service of our country. It’s just too dangerous. You’ll never be able to protect her in Monte Carlo. I propose that we cancel the operation right now.”

Craig responded. “I have already secured the assistance of Giuseppe, the Director of the EU Counterterrorism Agency, and Jacques, the head of French intelligence. You can be sure that we will protect Jill.”

“You’re dreaming,” Hennessey said. “It’s a terrible idea. “Too dangerous.”

“Jill is aware of the risks,” Craig replied.

Hennessey was looking around the room. “Do any of you share my concern?”

“I certainly do,” Leeds said.

Of course, you’re opposed, Craig thought, because it was my idea.

General Braddock spoke up. “To be honest, I am concerned about Jill Morgan. But nothing means more to the defense of our country and its military superiority than PGS. I would do just about anything to safeguard this weapons system. That includes finding out who’s trying to steal it.”

Ed Grayson was nodding. “Exactly what I was thinking. And besides Craig, you’re very experienced in the espionage business, and you’ve gotten great results over the years. If you tell us that using Jill as the dangle is the right way to go, that’s good enough for me.”

“And me,” Colonel Rhodes added.

Craig looked at Leeds and Hennessey. They had nothing further to say.

“Alright, I’ll move forward with Monte Carlo,” Craig said, wrapping up the meeting.

As Leeds left the room, he glared at Craig with a menacing look. He’s planning something, Craig thought.