Net Force - Tom Clancy [119]
Michaels said, You think hes planning some kind of coup?
Jay shrugged. No way to be sure. But given the way this guy moves, yeah, Id have to say its a possibility.
Michael turned to Howard. Colonel?
It would make sense, sir. Getting himself elected into power would be easier, but if I were him and willing to stage big-time computer theft and sabotage, maybe worse, Id want a backup plan. Sometimes when ballots dont work, bullets will. A key military commander on your side, control of the media, nobody knows whats going on until its too late-it would be good insurance.
Michaels stared at the other men, each in turn. So, even if we could come up with proof that this guy was about to buy himself an election and then get somebody in power to believe us
Hed probably bag the election and start a civil war instead, Howard said. By the time anybody from outside got there, the party would be over, a done deal.
Shit.
Yes, sir, Howard said. I believe that about sums it up.
Michaels blew out a big sigh. Jesus. What a can of worms this was turning out to be!
Okay, Colonel. You have some happier news for me?
Relatively speaking, sir. My best-case scenario for the operation to, ah, collect Mr. Plekhanov comes in at seventy-eight percent.
Thats good, isnt it?
I would prefer a higher percentage from the S&T computer, but anything over seventy percent is considered militarily acceptable. Although no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy.
Ill want to see it, he said.
Sir. Right here.
Alexs secretary came in. Commander? Toni Fiorella on the private line.
He waved her out. Gentlemen, let me take this call.
The colonel and Gridley nodded, and went back to looking at their presentations.
Hello?
Commander Michaels? This is Christine Wesson, from Supply? I was working out in the gym and Deputy Commander Fiorella asked me to call you-this is her virgil unit. Shes had an accident, Medical is on the way, but I think maybe shes got a broken leg.
Toni was hurt? A broken leg?
One of the exercise machines fell over on her. She says shes okay, she just wanted to let you know shed be late for her meeting. But between you and me, shes in a lot of pain.
Im on my way, he said.
The two men looked up at him, having heard his end of the conversation as they pretended to be busy.
Is Toni okay? Jay said.
Apparently. Some kind of exercise equipment failure. Medical is on the way, but I want to check on her. You two put your heads together and see what more sense you can make out of this mess. Ill be back in a few minutes.
Sure thing, Boss.
Sir.
Michaels started for the hall.
Friday, October 8th, 12:28 p.m. Quantico
Half in and half out of the shower stall, the Selkie held the gun aimed at the woman sitting cross-legged on the tile floor inside. If anybody came in, they would not see Fiorella, nor would they see the gun. The Selkie was tempted to shoot her, but she didnt want to risk the noise-or to waste any of her precious ammunition. If something went wrong, she might need the gun to escape. She also might need the woman to get the target in here; after that, Fiorella was as dead as Michaels. The Selkie would use the stubby ceramic knife strapped to her thigh under her skirt to do both of them. Shut them up in a shower stall, rinse away any blood spatter, and she could be halfway across Maryland before anybody discovered the bodies. A double deletion inside Net Force HQ-theyd be talking about that forever.
Fiorella twitched.
Keep your hands on your head, the Selkie said.
You cant get away with this.
If you wiggle crooked, it wont matter to you.
We know who you are.
Uh-huh.
Youre not as good as you think-Mora Sullivan.
That surprised her. How the hell had they found that out? She had a quick spasm of panic, fought it down. Sullivan was just another name now, one more disposable ID. Still Were going to have to have a little talk before I leave, the Selkie said.
The woman was scared-and well she should be-but she said, I dont think so.
Another gutsy woman. Damn. Too bad she had to kill her.
Toni? came a voice