Pandora's Legion

“And another thing. We do business in government offices all the time. The so-called security people at the metal detectors are Barney Fifes, and you know it. But they carry sidearms while I go to jail if I’m found with a can of Mace.”

“Right again, chief.”

“So what can we do? Even if we get federal bodyguards — U.S. marshals or whatever. That’s no solution. What’s the worst that could happen if they screw up and get me killed? Maybe they’d lose their job. Not much incentive, is there?”

Wolf felt defensive at the implied criticism. “Well, Mike, you know, I’d like to think that our people in federal law enforcement are all professionals.”

“Well, I’d like to think I can defend myself against the next hit squad that comes gunning for me. So we’re back to Square One. What can we do, if anything?”

“I’ll make some inquiries, Mike. I don’t know if I can do anything, but I’ll try. It’s going to take time, though.”

“Time’s short and the clock’s running, Joe.”

“Well, I do have one immediate suggestion.”

“Yes?”

Wolf grinned. “Don’t go anyplace without Sandy.”

BALUCHISTAN PROVINCE

“The Crusaders have been struck in their nest.”

Ali received the word with dispassionate interest. He turned to Kassim and said, “Tell me.”

“We have monitored press reports from Washington. Our operatives entered the headquarters of this… Strategic Solutions… and did much execution.” His tone changed as he added, “All three now rest with God.”

The Pakistani knew that his Syrian colleague was not devout, and briefly wondered at the man’s choice of words. Small matter — he serves our cause better than most. “What damage was done, Kassim?”

“At least six Americans were killed and others wounded. Damage to the facility is unknown but said to be extensive.”

Absorbing that information, Ali reckoned that it was good news but not decisive. Unless… “Who were the Crusaders that were killed?”

Kassim shrugged. “We have the names from the electronic sources but they mean nothing to me.” He cocked his head. “Do you have knowledge of their leaders?”

“No, but it should be a simple matter to compare the corporate managers with the dead. Should it not?”

Kassim realized that he could have gained that information before making the return trek to the border. Ali was nothing if not thorough, but this matter of pulling information off the internet was a vexation. Kassim understood radios and small arms and explosives — and loyalty and ruthlessness and courage. Little else had mattered in his life.

“Doctor, shall I return to our safe house? I can obtain the information you desire and return in…”

“No, brother.” Ali waved a placating hand. “Do it on your next scheduled trip. Meanwhile, what of the Crusaders in Quetta?”

“My men now watch them day and night. They have not moved. When they do, we will know.”

Ali rested his chin on his folded hands. Kassim recognized the sign: the doctor was thinking. Finally he said, “I believe we should issue them an invitation. Call for two trustworthy men.”

Kassim straightened, his face now drawn at the implied criticism. “Doctor, all of my men are trustworthy.”

“Of course, brother. Of course.”

14

SSI OFFICES

Rear Admiral Derringer met Homeland Security Secretary Burridge at SSI’s entrance. They warmly shook hands, exchanging Annapolis incantations.

“Go Navy,” Derringer intoned.

“Beat Army,” Burridge replied.

“Thanks for coming out here, Bruce. I know it’s inconvenient, but as I said, I can’t protect myself in the District.”

Burridge punched his classmate’s arm. “Hey, it’s good to get away from the office, and officially I’m in Florida. Besides, I’m traveling with more security than Gorbachev did.”

Derringer looked outside, scanning the street and buildings. “I didn’t see anything besides a couple of patrol cars.”

DHS grinned. “You’re not supposed to.”

In the secure briefing room, Burridge and his two senior bio threat officers settled down with SSI’s management team. The visitor opened the discussion. “Gentlemen, ladies, thank you for your cooperation. Ordinarily I wouldn’t inject myself into operational matters, but you appreciate the urgency of this case. There’s just too much at stake to risk something getting lost in the shuffle.”

Derringer lapsed into officialese. “Certainly, Mr. Secretary. Now, I believe we’ve both seen the reports from Pakistan and Jordan. Is there anything more recent?”

Burridge turned to the well-groomed woman on his left. “Ms. Ramirez is tracking our intel on this case.”

Consuela Ramirez was a biologist out of USC and Stanford. What she lacked in warmth — reportedly she was devoid of humor-she made up in dedication. “We’re doing it the hard way because there’s no recourse yet,” she began. “We’re working back-channel with a few Pakistani health officials, trying to narrow the search for doctors named Ali in the frontier areas. As you may imagine, that’s a huge job. Our best information shows about 108,000 doctors in Pakistan, but apparently the database is not wholly computerized.”

Derringer nodded. “Well, our teams are in-country, ready to go with a few local officials. All they need is an op area to start looking in Baluchistan. Or elsewhere, for that matter.”

Ramirez was visibly frustrated. “Excuse me, sir. We could work so much better if we could put more personnel on the ground. This way, we’re so limited.”

Burridge touched her arm. “We know, Consuela. The proverbial needle in a haystack. But State is adamant: there was eighty percent anti-American polling throughout the country before the plane crash. If anything, it’s higher now. We’re lucky to have the support we do.”

Joe Wolf tapped his pencil on the polished tabletop. “I’d like to discuss the Jordanian case. Is there anything linking that woman to the American boy? Had they been in the same areas?”

“Not yet, Joe, but that’s the way to bet.” Burridge had been out of the trenches for years; now he remembered why he had accepted a cabinet position with such reluctance. “We know the American definitely was in Baluchistan. The young woman’s extended family is from Peshawar but she left there weeks ago, presumably for treatment of pancreatitis in Islamabad. She could’ve gone anywhere, including Baluchistan.”

“Any similarities to their travel arrangements?”

Burridge looked again at Ramirez. “No. He left from Islamabad while her flight originated in Karachi. But when it turned out that she had Marburg, that was too much of a coincidence so we assume both carriers were injected by the same people. Obviously she was headed for Israel, though how she was going to enter the country is unknown.”

Derringer caught Burridge’s eye. “Then we must make another assumption: there will be more carriers, maybe from other countries. Back-tracking multiple suspects will be even harder.”

Burridge inhaled, held his breath, then expelled it. Here comes something else, Derringer thought.

“Mike, that’s not all. We’re heard from reliable sources that other bio weapons are actively under development. The most serious seems to be a plant virus that attacks grain, especially wheat. Now, obviously that’s not of immediate concern to SSI, but I think you should know that we’re possibly facing a multi-axis attack from