Patriot games - Tom Clancy [242]
Were you hit?"
"Negative, but the car's b-beat to shit. They used a goddamned machine gun on me!"
That really got things rolling. The FBI was again notified, and every available State Police helicopter converged on the Hagerstown area. For the first time, the choppers held men with automatic weapons. In Annapolis, the Governor wondered if he should use National Guard units. An infantry company was put on alert-it was already engaged in its weekend drill-but for the moment, he limited the Guard's active involvement to helicopter support of the State Police. The hunt was on in the central Maryland hill country. Warnings went out over commercial radio and TV stations for people to be on the alert. The President was spending the weekend in the country, and that was another major complication. Marines at nearby Camp David and a few other highly secret defense installations tucked away in the rolling hills hung up their usual dress blues and pistol belts. They substituted M-16 rifles and camouflage greens.
* * *
25
Rendezvous
hey arrived exactly on time. A pair of State Police cars remained on the road, and three more loaded with security people accompanied the Rolls up the driveway to the Ryan house. The chauffeur, one of the security force, pulled right to the front and jumped out to open the passenger door. His Highness came out first, and helped his wife. The security people were already swarming all over the place. The leader of the British contingent conferred with Avery, and the detail dispersed to their predetermined stations. As Jack came down the steps to greet his guests, he had the feeling that his home had been subjected to an armed invasion.
"Welcome to Peregrine Cliff."
"Hello, Jack!" The Prince took his hand. "You're looking splendid."
"You, too, sir." He turned to the Princess, whom he'd never actually met. "Your Highness, this is a great pleasure."
"And for us, Doctor Ryan."
He led them into the house. "How's your trip been so far?"
"Awfully hot," the Prince answered. "Is it always like this in the summer?"
"We've had two pretty bad weeks," Jack answered. The temperature had hit ninety-five a few hours earlier. "They say that's going to change by tomorrow. It isn't supposed to go much past eighty for the next few days." This did not get an enthusiastic response.
Cathy was waiting inside with Sally. The weather was especially hard on her, this close to delivery. She shook hands, but Sally remembered how to curtsy from England, and performed a beautiful one, accompanied by a giggle.
"Are you quite all right?" Her Highness asked Cathy.
"Fine, except for the heat. Thank God for air conditioning!"
"Can we show you around?" Jack led the party into the living/dining room.
"The view is marvelous," the Prince observed.
"Okay, the first thing is, nobody wears a coat in my house," Ryan pronounced. "I think you call this 'Planter's Rig' over in England."
"Excellent idea," said the Prince. Jack took his jacket and hung it in the foyer closet next to his old Marine parka, then got rid of his own. By this time Cathy had everyone seated. Sally perched next to her mother, her feet high off the floor as she tried to keep her dress down on her knees. Cathy found it almost impossible to sit comfortably.
"How much longer?" the Princess asked.
"Eight days-of course with number two, that means any time."
"I shall find that out myself in seven more months."
"Really? Congratulations!" Both women beamed.
"Way to go, sir," Ryan observed.
"Thank you, Jack. How have you been?"
"I suppose you know the work I'm doing?"
"Yes, I heard last night from one of our security people. I've been told that you located and identified a terrorist camp that has since been neutralized," the Prince said quietly.
Ryan nodded discreetly. "I'm afraid that I'm not able to discuss that."
"Understood. And how has your little girl done after "
"Sally?" Jack turned. "How's my little girl?"
"I'm a big girl!" she replied forcefully.
"What do you think?"
"I think you've been damned lucky."