Patriot games - Tom Clancy [233]
"Very well, Alex." Sean decided then and there that Alex would not see the end of this operation. It shouldn't be too hard to arrange. With his absurd sentimentality, he was unfit to be a revolutionary. You'll die a brave death. At least we can make a martyr of you.
Two hours later Miller admitted to himself that this was unfortunate. The man did have a flair for operations.
The security people were late enough that Ryan pulled into the driveway right behind them. There were three of them, led by Chuck Avery of the Secret Service.
"Sorry, we got held up," Avery said as he shook hands. "This is Bert Longley and Mike Keaton, two of our British colleagues."
"Hello, Mr. Longley," Cathy called from the door.
His eyes went wide as he saw her condition. "My goodness, perhaps we should bring a physician in with us! I'd no idea you were so far along."
"Well, this one will be part English." Jack explained. "Come on in."
"Mr. Longley arranged our escort when you were in the hospital," Cathy told her husband. "Nice to see you again."
"How are you feeling?" Longley asked.
"A little tired, but okay," Cathy allowed.
"Have you cleared the problem about Robby?" Jack asked.
"Yes, we have. Please excuse Mr. Bennett. I'm afraid he took his instructions a bit too literally. We have no problems with a naval officer. In fact, His Highness is looking forward to meeting him. So, may we look around?"
"If it's all right with you, I want to see that cliff of yours," Avery said.
"Follow me, gentlemen." Jack led the three through the sliding- glass doors onto the deck that faced Chesapeake Bay.
"Magnificent!" Longley observed.
"The only thing we did wrong is that the living and dining room aren't separated, but that's how the design was drawn, and we couldn't figure a graceful way to change it. But all those windows do give us a nice view, don't they?"
"Indeed, also one that gives our chaps good visibility," Keaton observed, surveying the area.
Not to mention decent fields of fire, Ryan thought.
"How many people will you be bringing?" Jack asked.
"I'm afraid that's not something we can discuss," Longley replied.
"More than twenty?" Jack persisted. "I plan to have coffee and sandwiches for your troops. Don't worry, I haven't even told Robby."
"Enough for twenty will be more than ample," Avery said after a moment. "Just coffee will be fine." They'd be drinking a lot of coffee, the Secret Service man thought.
"Okay, let's see the cliff." Jack went down the steps from the deck to the grass. "You want to be very careful here, gentlemen."
"How unstable is it?" Avery asked.
"Sally has been past where the fence is twice. Both times she got smacked for it. The problem's erosion. The cliff's made out of something real soft-sandstone, I think. I've been trying to stabilize it. The state conservation people talked me into planting this damned kudzu, and-stop right there!"
Keaton had stepped over the low fence.
"Two years ago I watched a twenty-square-foot piece drop off. That's why I planted these vines. You don't think somebody's going to climb that, do you?"
"It's one possibility," Longley answered.
"You'd think different if you looked at it from a boat. The cliff won't take the weight. A squirrel can make it up, but that's all."
"How high is it?" Avery asked.
"Forty-three feet over there, almost fifty here. The kudzu vines just make it worse. The damned stuffs nearly impossible to kill, but if you try grabbing onto it, you're in for a big surprise. Like I said, if you want to check it, do it from a boat," Ryan said.
"We'll do that," Avery replied.
"Coming in, that driveway must be three hundred yards," Keaton said.
"Just over four hundred, counting the curves. It cost an arm and a leg to pave it."
"What about the swimming pool people?" It was Longley this time.
"The pool's supposed to be finished next Wednesday."
Avery and Keaton walked around the north side of the house. There were