Games of State - Tom Clancy [22]
"At least, intelligence leads us to believe that it's Doring's group," Lang put in. "She's quick and very, very careful."
Herbert said, "And the government doesn't crack down on Chaos Days for fear of creating martyrs."
"Many people in government are afraid of that, yes," Hausen said. "They are afraid of the increasingly open pride many otherwise right-thinking Germans have for what the nation, galvanized and mobilized under Hitler, was able to accomplish. These officials want to legislate radicalism out of existence without punishing the radicals themselves. During Chaos Days in particular, when so many antagonistic elements are out in force, the government treads carefully."
"And how do you feel?" Hood asked.
Hausen replied, "I believe we should do both. Crush them where we see them, then use laws to fumigate those who crawl under rocks."
"And you think this Karin Doring, or whoever, wanted the memorabilia for Chaos Days?" Herbert asked.
"Passing out those mementoes would tie recipients directly to the Reich," Hausen said, thinking aloud. "Imagine how that would motivate each and every one of them."
"For what?" Herbert asked. "More attacks?"
"That," Hausen replied, "or perhaps nothing more than a year of loyalty. With seventy or eighty groups vying for members, loyalty is important."
Lang said, "Or the theft might swell the hearts of those who read about it in the newspapers. Men and women who, as Richard says, still privately revere Hitler."
Herbert asked, "What's the scoop on the American girl?"
Hausen said, "She's an intern on the film. She was last seen inside the trailer. The police believe she may have been abducted along with it."
Herbert gave Hood a look. Hood thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Excuse me," Herbert said. He wheeled himself from the table and patted the telephone on his armrest. "I'm going to find myself a nice, quiet corner and make some calls. Maybe we can add a little something to the intelligence pool."
Lang rose and thanked him, then apologized again. Herbert assured him that there was nothing to apologize for.
"I lost my wife and my legs to terrorists in Beirut," he said. "Each time they show their sick faces, it gives me a chance to hunt more of 'em down." He looked at Hausen. "These bastards are my toothache, Herr Hausen, and I live to drill the bastards."
Herbert swung himself around and wheeled his way through the tables. With his departure, Hausen sat and tried to collect himself. Hood looked at him. Liz was right: something else was going on here.
"We've been fighting this battle for over fifty years," Hausen said gravely. "You can inoculate against disease and seek shelter from a storm. But how do you protect yourself from this? How do you fight hate? And it's a growth business, Herr Hood. Every year there are more groups with more members. God help us if they ever unite."
Hood said, "My deputy director at Op-Center once said you fight an idea with a better idea. I'd like to believe that's true. If not"-- he cocked a thumb at Herbert, who was making his way onto a deck overlooking the river-- "I'm with my intelligence chief over there. We hunt them down."
"They're very well hidden," Hausen said, "extremely well armed, and quite impossible to infiltrate because they accept only very young new members. We rarely know in advance what they are planning."
"Only for now," Matt told him.
Lang looked at him. "What do you mean, Herr Stoll?"
"You know that backpack I left in the car?"
Hausen and Lang both nodded. Stop smiled. "Well, if we can all get together on this ROC thing, we're going to blow a lot of rotten slices right out of the bread box."
CHAPTER NINE
Thursday, 11:42 A.M.,
Wunstorf, Germany
When Jody Thompson heard the shouts outside the trailer, she thought Hollis Arlenna was calling for her. Standing in the bathroom, she flipped even faster through the garments, cursing the prop people who had labeled them in German and Arlenna for being such a dork.