Patriot games - Tom Clancy [238]
"Yes, the safehouse is all prepared for tomorrow. Alex and his people are ready, and I've gone over the changes in the plan."
"They're from Alex, too?"
"Yes, and if I hear one more bit of advice from that arrogant bastard-"
"He is one of our revolutionary brethren," O'Donnell noted with a smile. "But I know what you mean."
"Where's Mike?"
" Belfast. He'll run Phase Two."
"The timing is all set?"
"Yes. Both brigade commanders, and the whole Army Council. We should be able to get them all " O'Donnell finally revealed his plan in toto. McKenney's penetration agents either worked closely with all of the senior PIRA people or knew those who did. On command from O'Donnell, they would assassinate them all, completely removing the Provisionals' military leadership. There would be no one left to run the Organization except one man whose masterstroke mission would catapult him back to respectability with rank-and-file Provos. With his hostages, he'd get the release of all the men "behind the wire" even if it meant mailing the Prince of Wales to Buckingham Palace one cubic centimeter at a time. O'Donnell was certain of this. For all the brave, pious talk in Whitehall, it was centuries since an English king had faced death, and the idea of martyrdom sat better with revolutionaries than with those in power. Public pressure would see to that. They would have to negotiate to save the life of the heir to the throne. The scope of this operation would enliven the Movement, and Kevin Joseph O'Donnell would lead a revolution reborn in boldness and blood
"Changing of the guard, Jack?" Marty observed. He, too, had packed up his things. A security officer would check the box before he left.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better, but you can get tired of watching daytime TV."
"Taking all your pills?" Ryan asked.
"I'll never forget again, Mom," was the answer.
"I see there's nothing new on our friends."
"Yeah. They dropped back into that black hole they live in. The FBI is worried that they're over here, of course, but there hasn't even been a hint of it. Of course, whenever anybody's felt secure dealing with these bastards, they've gotten bit on the ass. Still, about the only outfit that isn't on alert is the Delta Force. All kinds of assets are standing by. If they're over here and they show anybody a whisker, the whole world is going to come crashing in on them. 'Call in the whole world.' We used to say that in Vietnam." Cantor grunted. "I'll be in Monday and Tuesday. You don't have to say goodbye yet. Have a good weekend."
"You too." Ryan walked out, with a new security pass hanging around his neck and his jacket draped over his shoulder. It was hot outside, and his Rabbit didn't have air conditioning. The drive home along Route 50 was complicated by all the people heading to Ocean City for the weekend, anything to get away from the heat that had covered the area like an evil spell for two weeks. They were in for a surprise. Jack thought. A cold front was supposed to come through.
"Howard County Police," the Desk Sergeant said. "Can I help you?"
"This is 911, right?" It was a male voice.
"Yes, sir. What seems to be the problem?"
"Hey, uh, my wife said I shouldn't get involved, you know, but-"
"Can you give me your name and phone number, please?"
"No way-look, this house, uh, down the street. There's people there with guns, you know? Machine guns."
"Say that again." The Sergeant's eyes narrowed.
"Machine guns-no shit, I saw an M-60 machine gun, like in the Army-y'know, thirty caliber, feeds off a belt, heavy bitch to pack along, a real friggin' machine gun. I saw some other stuff, too."
"Where?"
The voice became rapid. " Eleven-sixteen Green Cottage Lane. There's maybe-I mean I saw four of 'em, one black and three white. They were unloading the guns from a van. It was three in the morning. I had to get up an' take a leak, and I looked out the bathroom window, y'know? The garage door was open, and the light was on, and when they passed the gun across, it was in the light, like, and I could tell it was a sixty. Hey, I used to