CHAPTER 80
The mountains of North Carolina
“Folks,” Senator Tabitha Doyle began as she stood at the head of the mahogany table after a brief break. “From here on, we are all in this together, right?”
The gravity of the moment was not lost on any of us. We all nodded our assent.
“At some point, each of us will be forced to break an oath and share information that we have sworn not to share. For me, that time is now.”
She paused before revealing her secret.
“We have a source in Taiwan who suggests that for some time a Chinese agent has had access to the inner sanctum of our Justice Department. This source has recently mentioned details about Senator Harrison’s abduction and torture that are not widely known, nor have they been made public.
Although Rocket’s Red Glare is brand-new, it may already have weaknesses. What do we do next?”
I realized that everyone in the room was looking at me to answer Doyle’s question. What came naturally to me was to ask one in return: “How reliable is the source?”
“Our Ground Branch friends have found his intelligence to be actionable.”
“Senator, is there any chance this guy is probing to see what we confirm for him? I’ve heard all the Manchurian Candidate rumors since I was an Army private. What makes this one so credible?”
“I say this with great caution, but given his past, and the quality of the information he has previously delivered, I believe we should consider this source reliable. Could he play us? Certainly. There is a spy somewhere close to us. I don’t suspect that Rocket’s Red Glare is compromised per se, but I believe they may be stumbling toward us. ”
I looked at Oliver. He nodded, confirming that he already knew what I was thinking.
“Then let’s roll up the twins in Florida. Right now. Do not pass Go. Oliver and I will alert the rest of the team, and we will snatch those two idiots where they sleep. Then we’ll find out exactly who, what, when, where, and how this mole knows what he knows. Case closed. That’s my suggestion.”
“Mr. Phillips,” Congressman Dempsey said, “please forgive me, but I thought you said you didn’t believe the Russians were behind this attack? Why would these two know anything about the mole who may have infiltrated our Justice Department, or even Rocket’s Red Glare?”
“I was going to ask the same question,” Doyle said matter-of-factly.
“Yes, ma’am, it’s a fair question. Deception is one act that terrorists do well.
Rarely do events occur at face value, or at legitimately random times,” I said.
“The enemy’s consistent calculus: Maximize damage while efficiently using a limited amount of time.
Sending the good guys in the wrong direction allows more time to accomplish their real objective.
“In this scenario, I would say that although the Russians may not have orchestrated it, and probably have fantastic deniability, the Egorovs’ business is arms dealing.
They sure as shit had something to do with the arms and ammo the bad guys used.
If you want to find dirty people, don’t hang out with clean people.
Those two fuckers are as dirty as they come. They’ll know something.”
“How soon can you execute?” asked Congressman Jennings.
“Plan on our takedown in thirty-six hours, like 0300 the day after tomorrow.” I looked at the principals of Black Star Services, Dallas Fletcher and Morgan Porter. “Can you guys get us in that soon?” Realizing I had put them on the spot in front of everyone, I mouthed a weak Sorry.
“Do you want a window seat or an aisle?” Fletcher laughed. “Nat, the answer is yes. Morgan and I will get the assets organized and brief you as soon as I get off the phone with our planners. Too easy.”
“Well, folks, it seems that we now have our first sanctioned Rocket’s Red Glare mission,” Sam Starnes said.
“The president will be briefed as soon as we conclude. Before you get busy, I want to remind you that while you’re cleared to use what force you need, be safe, be smart, and don’t get caught. ”
With that, Tabitha Doyle raised her glass, saying, “God bless you and God bless America.”