The Hadrian Memorandum - Allan Folsom [177]
That was Marten’s plan, and he was reasonably certain it would work. The problem was, Agents Grant and Birns strenuously objected. Armed gunmen were waiting for them outside, and their job was to protect Congressman Ryder. They knew that under the circumstances they couldn’t call in outside help, but they were dead set against splitting up and leaving only Birns to protect Ryder. Furthermore, the driver had asked for Anne and Marten. That meant there was every chance they had arrived after Ryder, Birns, and Grant had come in themselves. So there was no reason to believe that they knew any of them were there and that the driver was being used to see if they could get some definitive information. Why not just get into the ambulance now and leave, all five of them?
“What if you’re wrong?” Marten answered. “We have no idea when they got to the laundry and learned that we were coming here. What if they’ve had people outside the whole time? What if they saw each of us arrive? They can count. What if they know we’re all here? They won’t want to come in after us. It would be too noisy an operation. So they’ll be waiting for us to come out, using the truck to bait us as if it’s our plan, not theirs. Moreover, I can guarantee you Conor White and his gunmen are not out there alone. There’ll be at least one other team, maybe more. So yes, we could take a chance with the ambulance, and we might get away with it. But then again, we might not. What then? What if they follow us, then cut us off and box us in? That happens, we’re dead, all of us. Afterward White will go back to Bioko and pick up his game where he left off, and no one will know anything about his involvement here or what was at stake to begin with. You might want to take that chance. I don’t.” He looked at Ryder. “And I don’t think the congressman does, either.”
“He’s right, fellas,” Ryder said in the calm, everyday conversational tone he used in almost any situation. “Our job is to get to the plane and get out of here as quickly and safely as possible. Mr. Marten’s plan is as sound as it can be under the circumstances. The only problem is that it puts him and you”—he looked at Agent Grant—“and the hospital people in some serious jeopardy.”
“Unless they suspect something, White and his people aren’t likely to take action anywhere close by. The neighborhood is too dense and too upscale,” Marten said evenly. “It would be almost the same as storming the hospital itself. It would draw too much attention. My sense is they will have given their driver instructions where to go. If he doesn’t go where he’s supposed to, they’ll think he’s playing along with orders we’ve given him, so they’ll follow the truck, shifting tails with as many cars as they have. Then, at someplace out of the way, a park or abandoned lot or something, they’ll make their move. That means the beginning of the ride should be relatively safe.” Marten looked to Gama. “My main concern is you and your people, because it will be dangerous. This is our fight, not yours. There’s nothing that says you or any of them have to do it. If you decide against it we’ll do something else.”
“Let me find them, and you can talk to them yourself.”
“Fair enough,” Marten said. “The thing is, it all has to be done fast, before they begin to think about coming in.”
Mário Gama smiled. “I already have three people in mind who I am sure will be more than happy to help. Perhaps you don’t know. Raisa Amaro is, or perhaps . . . was”—his voice caught in his throat; then he recovered and went on—“a leading member of the hospital’s board of directors. She fought for and saved many jobs during economic hard times. She is a legend here. People love her. Give me five minutes and I will be back with the people you desire. If necessary you can then give your speech,