Murder at the Opera - Margaret Truman [62]
Browning nodded.
“Without that source, we’ve reached a bit of a standstill, I’m afraid
“Sorry to hear that. Actually, we’ve been receiving intelligence through other sources that helps fill in some of the gaps
“That’s good,” Crowley said.
“Interesting, the way terrorists’ minds work, isn’t it?”
“I suppose it is, although I prefer to think of their so-called minds as more depraved and immoral than interesting
“Of course. What our people found especially probative was this shift in their thinking. What’s your take on it?”
“I’m really not paid to analyze information, Joseph. I simply arrange for it to be gathered. But off the record, I would say that there is a certain wisdom to their new approach. It will certainly be easier to carry out, and the impact could be substantial
“If it’s what they’re really intending. Tell me, Mr. Crowley, did your source in Jordan—I understand he had a pretty direct line into the insurgents through a family member—”
“That’s right
“Was there any hint as to the sort of high-profile target they might choose?”
“That’s what we were hoping to find out,” Crowley replied. “According to the source, they were in the process of drawing up their hit list. I suppose it had to meet with bin Laden’s approval
“If he’s still alive
“Yes, if
“But it was ascertained that it would be centered here in Washington
“That was our information, which we passed along
“Yes, and we appreciated that. The secretary made an announcement right after we received that info. We’ve raised the terrorist alert level to Orange-Plus
A tiny smile crossed Crowley’s lips. Americans and their fondness for anything technological, colorful—and useless. A vision of sitting on a white wrought-iron bench at riverside in Dorset came and went.
“Do you have anything else to report?” Browning asked, opening a file folder on which TOP SECRET was stamped in red.
“Only one thing,” Crowley said.
“Which is?”
“I met with the source’s handler in Amman before coming here. He mentioned something about a Canadian connection
“Canadian connection? That’s intriguing. What sort of connection?”
“I don’t know, nor did the handler. He hadn’t mentioned it in previous messages. I assume it was simply an oversight
“Oversights, like loose lips, can get us killed,” said Browning.
Crowley said nothing. He wanted the meeting to be over.
“Well,” Browning said, “this was a long way for you to come with so little new to offer
Criticism or sympathy?
“I wish I had more
Browning walked him to the door. “Will you be staying in Washington long?” he asked.
“A day or two. I can be reached through our embassy
“I thought you might enjoy taking in a baseball game while you’re here. We have a new team, the Nationals. I know you don’t have baseball in the U.K. and thought it would be a new experience. Have you ever been to a game?”
“No, I haven’t.” Nor do I have any interest in doing so.
“Give me a call if you’d like to go. They’re playing at home tomorrow night.”
• • •
As Crowley headed for his hotel, where he intended to order a bottle of good Scotch and have it and dinner sent to his room, Joe Browning met with his superiors at Homeland Security.
“So he had nothing new to offer,” his boss said.
“Right, except for some vague reference to a Canadian connection
“We’ll follow up on that
“All we know at this juncture,” said Browning, “is that the terrorists, presumably with bin Laden’s blessing, have decided to forgo hitting big targets and concentrate on assassinating top political leaders here in D.C
“Maybe claiming that Washington is the focus is a red herring. Maybe they intend to strike elsewhere
“Where else?” Browning said. “If you’re out to kill top political leaders, this is the place to do it
“I’ll run it past the secretary. Are you impressed with Crowley?”
“He’s old
“I mean, does he seem to know what he and his sources are talking about?