'Have you hired or recommended anyone else?' McCaskey asked.
'Not yet.'
'What about the senator's staff?' McCaskey asked.
'I brought in Kendra Peterson,' Link said.
'How do you know her?'
'She was a field agent based in Japan but working in North Korea and Taiwan,' Link said.
'One of yours?'
'Yes. Strictly ROO.'
ROO was recon only operative. However, McCaskey knew that even passive field agents were sometimes used in offensive operations. There was a case in Russia in 1979 when CIA operative Genson Blimline had been exposed by a Soviet mole. Rather than pull him out, the Company sent an observer in to watch the men who were sent to watch him. When they moved against Blimline, the ROO moved against them. Both the ROO and Blimline were able to get to a safe house in Moscow.
'Ms. Peterson's name came up as a possible contact when Striker went over there,' said a voice from behind McCaskey. 'I can get you that file.'
McCaskey turned. Mike Rodgers was standing in the conference room doorway.
'May I come in?' Rodgers asked Link.
'Absolutely,' Link replied.
Rodgers entered. His eyes were fixed on McCaskey. 'What's the latest on the witch-hunt?'
'I wouldn't call it that,' McCaskey replied.
Rodgers did not reply.
'Mr. McCaskey, if you have more questions, would you please get to them?' Link said. 'I have real work to do.'
Link's smugness was starting to piss McCaskey off. 'Admiral, this is a serious inquiry,' McCaskey said. 'It would be a mistake to think otherwise.'
'Sir, you are taking it seriously, which is not the same thing,' Link told him. 'But then, I have an advantage you do not, Mr. McCaskey.'
'And that is?'
'I know that I am innocent of any wrongdoing or complicity in wrongdoing. Now, what's your next question?'
As much as McCaskey disliked Link, he reminded himself that he was here to get information, not to make a new friend.
'Are you aware of anyone who might possess the skill to talk their way into a man's room, kill him by lethal injection under the tongue, and leave virtually undetected?' McCaskey asked.
'A woman, you mean.'
'Or a man who might have trained a woman.'
Link acknowledged the correction with a nod. 'Only Kendra.'
'That woman is a font of hidden talents. Where did she get her training?' McCaskey asked.
'From the United States Marines,' Link said. 'She spent several months as a 91-W, a health care specialist. She had to transfer out because of a problem with her fine motor skills.'
'Related to tendonitis?' McCaskey asked.
