she was done, she hit the extension for the operations center. Charlie
Dobbs answered and Kennedy asked, “Did you get a trace?”
“Not even close. Whoever it was, they were using a mobile unit.”
“Can you get him if he calls back?”
“If he stays on long enough, but I doubt he’s that dumb.”
“All right, thanks.” Kennedy placed the phone down and again wondered if it was
Coleman. Cross town, Coleman hit the disconnect button and dialed the number Kennedy had just given him. Someone answered on the other end, and Coleman asked for
Stansfield. A moment later the director was on the line and Coleman asked, “Where in the hell is O’Rourke?”
“Who is this?”
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Stansfield was put on guard by the metallic voice. “The person who has twenty copies of a tape that will close the doors to the CIA for good.
I’m only going to ask this question one more time. Where is Congressman
O’Rourke?”
“I’m in the process of trying to find him right now.” Coleman could tell by the quality of the connection that Stansfield was mobile.
“Where are you?” Stansfield hesitated briefly. “I’m airborne.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Maryland.”
“What’s in Maryland?” Coleman took a right on South Dakota Avenue and headed for
Highway 50. “The President’s national security adviser.”
“Does he have the Congressman?”
“We’re not sure, but I’m going to find out.”
“Where does Nance live?”
“Arundel County, just off of 214.” Coleman knew the area. Nance’s house wasn’t far from Annapolis. “You’d better hope you find the Congressman quick.
Nance has worn my patience thin.” Coleman disconnected the call and floored the accelerator as he turned onto the on ramp for Highway 50 east. He wanted to be there for the exchange of Michael, but there was one big problem-he had to lose the FBI first. In his sixteen years in the Navy, Coleman had learned two fundamental theories about shaking surveillance. The first is to enter an area of high traffic and lose the watchers in the crowd, and the second is to go to a place where they can’t follow. Coleman grinned.
The second theory would work perfectly.
He swerved into the left lane and passed several cars as he accelerated over 70 mph.
He disengaged the voice modulator switch on the phone and dialed the main number for the Naval Academy. When the operator answered, Coleman asked for his old friend Sam
Jarvi. Skip McMahon peered out the front window of the minivan with a pair of binoculars.
He could see the red brake light at the top of Coleman’s Ford Explorer.
The other three tail cars followed behind the minivan in a single column.
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McMahon set the binoculars on his lap and sat back. He raised his walkie-talkie to his mouth and said, “All right, gang, let’s stay loose.
The chopper has him. We’ll stay about a mile back for now, and we’ll leapfrog every five minutes. If he gets off the highway, we’ll move in and close the gap.” O’Rourke’s eyes blinked several times and then opened completely. Jarod grabbed him under the arms and hoisted him off the floor. He dragged Michael over to a wooden chair and deposited him in it. Michael grabbed on to the armrests and steadied himself.
The young Congressman shook his head and tried to bring his eyes into focus.
He noticed a burning sensation on his stomach and reached down to touch it. The area felt as if the skin had been torn away. Several drops of blood fell from his nose onto his jeans. O’Rourke again used the sleeve of his sweatshirt to wipe at his nose. He tilted his head back in an effort to stop the flow of blood. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Stu
Garret standing behind the bar. Michael looked over at him and asked, “How long do you think it will be before they hunt you down and kill you?” Garret ignored him, so
O’Rourke asked the question with a little more volume. “Hey… Garret! How long do you think it will take those assassins to track you down and blow your head off?.”
Michael grinned at the President’s chief of staff. “You had one chance, and you blew it.” Garret looked up from his drink. “I don’t think you’re in much of a position to be telling me anything.”
“Oh, is that right? Those assassins are going to release the tape all because you and your insane friend couldn’t call it quits and walk away.
