“Exactly, sir. It’s a total nonstarter. Especially since no one really knows what happened to either the carrier or the civilian airliners. And no one in this country knows Ben even exists. Just us, and our most trusted people.”
“Which means his removal would be extremely simple, hmmmm? No one would ever know anything.”
“It’s not quite that simple sir. He seems to have made quite elaborate arrangements for substantive disclosures as to our activities in the event of his sudden disappearance and failure to communicate. The hard way is the only way we’d ever find out for real. So, making him disappear might ultimately prove as embarrassing as putting him on public trial.
“We already believe he is a mine of information. We also know, to our considerable cost, that he has a brilliant mind. And I would dearly like to use him. He could change our lives in the Middle East.”
“I see. He seems to have thought it through, doesn’t he? The question is, do I need to know, or care, if you decide to remove him, or if you decide to use him.”
“I think not, sir,” said Admiral Dunsmore. “Let’s just suppose for the moment we have the man who hit the
“I understand, Scott. And I realize you two do not want to have him executed privately. Rightly. Quite apart from the political consequences of postmortem exposure, it might be a waste of a major asset. Not to mention a purely futile act of revenge on our part. The crimes committed were so monstrous, there could be no proportionality anyway. Not with one man’s life. Therefore, my conclusion must be that I need not be involved at this stage. I will leave the fate of the mysterious Commander Adnam to the offices of my military commanders. But you will inform me, Arnold, should we consider a strike against anyone.”
“Absolutely, sir.”
“One further point, before you go. Are we now certain that the airliners were knocked down by Iraq?”
“Yessir. Yes we are.”
“I would personally consider it very remiss of us if we failed to make known our extreme displeasure to that pariah of a government.”
“Understood, sir. I will keep you informed.”
The two admirals rose and said good-bye to the President, returning down the long corridors to Arnold Morgan’s office. Kathy O’Brien was at her post, on the telephone, and offered just a small wave of greeting as they arrived. “Coffee,” murmured her boss. “And hold all phone calls for a half hour.”
Inside his office, the admiral took off his coat, and exclaimed, “Jesus Christ! Did you hear that last remark?”
“I sure did, Arnold. He wants us to hit Iraq, obviously not publicly, but it sounded like he expected something impressive.”
“Fortuitous, huh? We just happen to have the very man we need to guide us through those tricky waters.”
“Isn’t it, though? Benjamin, old buddy, I think you just got yourself a job.”
“He might have, Scott. But I’m not sure what exactly he meant us to do. Bomb Baghdad? Take out a few streets? Knock down some missile sites in the desert? Hit their main seaport? Maybe a military airfield? A few oil wells? What do you think?”
“I’m not sure, but I presume he’s looking for something like their strikes against us. Too awful to be admitted, too much of a loss of face. And too secret for anyone to know
“Guess so. But it’s a tall order.”
“No doubt, Arnold. But it was very Presidential. He is a man who just hates to see this country humiliated in any way whatsoever. And no one gets away with it. Not indefinitely.”
“Iraq got away with the
“We better start thinking about plans. It just seems overwhelming at the minute. I’m not sure where to start…but this is military, Scott, and you’re the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs…I think this ball’s in your court…and I’m waiting for your creative input.”
“You think I’m a film director? Well, I’m not. Basically I’m an organizer. And this is what I propose. I think we have to get someone in here who’s going to work with Adnam on an initial plan, subject to your striking a deal, and reminding him of his words about Iraq.”
“Right. Who?”
“Bill Baldridge. For the following reasons. He’s in deep already. He’s damned smart. He knows Adnam, and you and he work very well together. He and Laura would certainly come to Washington for a few days if we make it quick and urgent. She could come and stay here with Grace, if necessary. Or else we’ll put ’em in a hotel. That way the three of you can try and thrash something out. We’ll pay Bill a fee; and if the mission is successful, it may just give us the opening to persuade him to ‘run’ Adnam for another six months.”
“Can’t fault any of that. Who’s gonna call Bill, you?”
“No, you. Tell him Adnam’s balls are on the line. He said he knew how to deal with Iraq. Now we’re giving him the chance to prove it. That might just titillate the master of the B/B sufficiently.”
“Yeah. I guess it might at that…leave it with me Scott…I’ll call him later. I’ll check how the herds are. See if they can manage without him for a few months.”
Two hours later, at 1900, speaking from Kathy’s house in Chevy Chase, Arnold Morgan made contact with the former submarine lieutenant commander in Kansas. Baldridge listened laconically to the proposition, made a lot of “Uh-huhs,” “Is that rights?” and general “Get outta heres.” But in the end he did not turn it down.
He just said, “When?”
Arnold Morgan replied, “Now,” which was his favorite word.
Bill Baldridge said, “How long?”
Arnold replied, “A week, max.”
“Okay. You sending transport?”
“Yup. Tomorrow morning, 1000. In front of your house.”
“We’ll be there.”
“See ya.” And the admiral clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. “Now something
But he was pleased with the Kansan’s response, and he visibly brightened. “KATHY! Drinks…then we’re going out for a little celebration.”
The helicopter from Andrews Air Base touched down lightly, leaving its engines running for immediate takeoff down the Potomac. Laura remained on board, while Bill disembarked and was given a pass by the Secret Service agents and escorted into the West Wing. Arnold Morgan came to meet him in person. “Hey…good to see you. Grace is waiting at the house for Laura. You and I will be there by seven. We’re all having dinner there, and we’re all staying overnight.”
Bill followed Arnold down to his office, where his briefing began. And Admiral Morgan explained everything, the potential deal with Adnam, the hopelessness of a public trial, the consequences and wastefulness of executing him. And the President’s expressed wish that a strike be organized against Iraq.
Bill was particularly interested in the avowed statement from the ex — Israeli submariner to Admiral Morgan the previous day that he could rid the United States of the menace of Iraq.
“Christ. What do you think he has in mind?”
“Who knows. But when he does have something in his mind, we know, to our cost, that he is usually not joking.”
“Ain’t that right.”
By 1800 the helicopter was back, miraculously bearing Admiral Dunsmore. The three old friends, in company
