to our gook enemies. Doctor, you know that. The general understands
how espionage works. He keeps his ears open.' Ventura tapped his own
ear, and hoped that the man would remember what he'd said about being
watched and listened to.
Morrison remembered.
'Ah. Yes, I see you're right. A man in the general's position would
know these things.'
'Of course. Hell of a soldier. Bull Smith, and a credit to the Race.'
He turned slightly so that Morrison's head would block any camera that
might see his face, and gave the man a quick wink.
He also reached around and adjusted the paddle holster in his
waistband. The general's people were probably fairly loyal, not
counting the undercover federal ops that must have infiltrated by now;
still. Condition Orange applied here, just as it did everywhere else.
If need be, he could pull the Coonan from concealment and get off two
shots in about a second. Not a patch on John Wesley Hardin out of a
hip-slung rig, maybe, but still pretty damned fast from under a vest.
And until they got inside with Smith, his people would have his back
covered.
So far, so good. Pretty soon, though, it was going to get a lot more
interesting.
Saturday, June 11th Washington, D.C.
The voice was female, sexy, throaty, and designed so that everything it
said seemed like an urgent request to go to bed with it: 'Alex? We
have a Priority One Corn. Alex?
We have a Priority One Corn. Alex--?'
'All right, I heard you already! Computer answer page off, please.'
Next to him, voice thick with sleep, Toni said, 'I thought you were
going to change that voice.'
'I haven't been able to figure out a way around Jay's program.'
'And you're supposed to be the head of Net Force.'
'Yeah, well. Jay is the best programmer in Net Force, now isn't he?'
To the computer, Michaels said, 'Answer com, visual off.'
'Hey, Boss.'
Speak of the devil.
'What, Jay?'
'Sorry to bother you at home this early, but you said I should let you
know if I got something on this, uh, Chinese business. Well, I think
you might want to see this.'
Michaels looked at the clock. Too early.
'All right. You want to download it here?'
'Probably not the best idea. Boss. It needs telling.'
Michaels sighed.
'I'll be at the office in an hour.'
When Jay was off the com, Michaels turned to Toni.
'Another crisis.'
'I remember them.'
'Why don't you come with me?'
'I quit, remember?'
'Your job is waiting for you--I haven't hired anybody to replace
