a signal to the admiral. This was an investigation, not a fishing expedition. McCaskey would be courteous and respectful during the interview, but he would not be servile. The Bureau referred to this as the LAT approach legal authority tactics. Suspects had rights under the law. So did police and Bureau interrogators.
McCaskey walked quickly to the senator's office. The receptionist directed McCaskey to the conference room. Political parties are not permitted to have unelected representatives working on federal property. There were no regulations governing unaffiliated advisers.
Admiral Link had just returned from the press conference and was checking E-mails on his laptop. He appeared slightly unsettled.
'You don't waste time,' Link said without looking up from the computer.
'Not when I'm on the taxpayers' clock,' McCaskey said.
'Civic responsibility. A sad exception, not the rule,' Link said.
'Would you like coffee or tea, Mr.?'
'McCaskey, and no thanks,' McCaskey interrupted. He took a notebook from the inside pocket of his jacket. 'I just wanted to ask you questions about some of your activities at the Company.'
Link smiled. 'I have two things to say, Mr. McCaskey. First, you're aware that I am not permitted to discuss any of the work I did, even with a member of an intelligence service.'
'Technically, that isn't true.'
Link finally glanced up. 'What do you mean?'
'The standard CIA employment agreement says that a former employee may not reveal information that might compromise ongoing operations,'
McCaskey said. 'You signed such an agreement without riders. I checked. My questions involve personnel you may have worked with who are either no longer with the Company or may be assigned to the D.C. area.'
'You abrogate the spirit of confidentiality, Mr. McCaskey.'
'People have said worse things about me, sometimes in English,'
McCaskey replied. 'What is the second thing you wanted to say?'
'Sidestepping the question of whether you or anyone else has reasonable cause to insist on this interview, I'm curious,' Link said. 'By what chartered authority is Op-Center here to question me?'
'By the International Intelligence Cooperation Act of 2002,' McCaskey replied as he sat at the table across from Link. 'A British national has died, Scotland Yard has requested an investigation, and we were the agent they selected By law, I am permitted to ask questions of potential witnesses to the crime or events leading up to it. The senator agreed to an interview with Director Hood, which establishes his understanding of the validity of the IICA. Do you object to my questioning you?'
'Yes, and I also question your interpretation of the law,' Link said.
'But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt for the moment.'
'Thank you. Admiral Link, have you personally hired anyone for the United States First Party?'
'No,' Link replied.
'Have you recommended anyone for a staff position, paid or interned, for the United States First Party?'
'Eric Stone, the young man who is managing the convention,' Link said.
'That's Eric with a c.'
'How do you know Mr. Stone?' McCaskey asked as he wrote the name in his notebook.
'He was my assistant at the Company. Eric is a very good organizer.'
'Does he have field experience?'
'As a certified public accountant,' Link replied. 'Chicago office.'
