354
OP-CENTER
'At this point, I very much doubt it,' Kline said. 'They are going to make an object lesson of the Vodunists.'
'But what if that isn't necessary?' Hood said. 'What if we can help get the priest out without any violence?'
'How?' Kline asked.
'Let me talk to my people over there. You talk to Gaborone,' Hood said. 'Ask for a delay.'
'And what happens if the Brush Vipers use a period of detente to get away or to attack another compound?' Kline asked. 'What happens if people die this time, Paul? What happens if the Brush Vipers decide to take hostages? Or kill other priests and deacons?'
'I can't guarantee they won't,' Hood admitted. 'But it isn't likely. Especially if they know what's being sent against them.'
'All we're saying is give our people a shot,' Herbert said. 'Damnit, Edgar, forget all the shit that's gone on between us. Try to delay the attack. That's just basic statesmanship and something else the Church stands for.'
'Which is?'
'Humanitarianism,' Herbert said.
Kline sighed. 'I wish it were that simple.'
'It can be,' Hood said.
'What happened to turning the other cheek?' Herbert asked.
'It went out when slaps became gunshots,' Kline said. 'Besides, we're not talking about bearing an insult. We're talking about the abduction and killing of priests. Never mind by whom. The survival of the Church in Botswana, in Africa, is being challenged. It has to take a stand. And the Botswanans have to show that they are in power. Don't forget, my friends. We did not ask for this war. The Vodunists chose this course.'
'Perhaps,' Hood said. 'But someone else killed Bishop Max to escalate the situation. By doing the same thing, by escalating the war against the Vodunists, you are abetting the ones who attacked you.'
'That will come out in time,' Kline said. 'First things first. We deal with the Vodunists and the kidnapping of Father
MISSION OF HONOR
355
Bradbury. Then we find out who attacked the Church and Botswana.'
Just then, Rodgers's cell phone beeped. He checked the number. It was the embassy in Gaborone. That meant the clock was running. There was no time to leave the room. If the call were being relayed from Aideen, it could be pinpointed within two minutes. Rodgers looked at Hood and dragged a finger across his own throat to kill the speaker. Hood did more than that. He asked Kline if he could hold the line for a few minutes.
Kline agreed. Hood hit the Mute button.
'I'm surprised he agreed, the bastard SOB,' Herbert said.
'It's worth the wait for him,' Hood said. 'I might decide to share whatever information is incoming.'
Meanwhile, Mike Rodgers accepted the patch-through. Hood and Herbert fell silent.
'Yes?' Rodgers said. He did not use his name in case Aideen had dropped the phone and someone had discovered it.
'We need help,' the caller said.
It was Aideen. Her words were urgent, but her voice was calm.
'Go ahead,' Rodgers said.
'We've linked up with Seronga and are headed toward a rendezvous with Dhamballa,' she informed him.
'You're staying?' Hood said.
'We have to,' Aideen said. 'The Vodunists are changing their destination to meet us. Father Bradbury will be with them. We will try to obtain his release. We should be with them in about two hours. Do you know where the Spanish soldiers are?'
'No,' Rodgers said. 'But we believe they are trying to reach Father Bradbury.'
'That was our conclusion,' Aideen said. 'General, we need time. Seronga seems inclined to support us. We believe it's possible to end this peaceably. Can you sell Gaborone on that idea?'
'I don't know,' Rodgers said. 'They appear set on ending this situation in a very public way.' '*
356
OP-CENTER
'What if you tell them that we have already obtained the release of the priest?' Aideen asked.
'That would make things worse,' Rodgers said. 'The air force would still go in to mop things up.'
'Then we have to find another way to delay them,' Aideen said.
'Look, I'll talk this over with Bob and Paul,' Rodgers said. 'We'll try to work out something.'
