Tom Clancy's op-center_ acts of war - Tom Clancy [169]
The President cleared his throat. After reading the paper once, he went back to the top to read it aloud. He always did that, to hear how it would sound as a speech--in case he ever had to defend in public what he'd done.
"I hereby grant a full, free, and absolute pardon to General Michael Rodgers of the United States Army. This pardon is for confessed actions which he has or may have committed while loyally serving his country in a joint intelligence effort with the Republic of Turkey.
"The government and people of the United States have benefited immeasurably from the courage and leadership of General Rodgers throughout his long and unblemished military career. Neither this nation nor its institutions would be well or responsibly served by a further scrutiny of actions which, from all accounts, were heroic, selfless, and appropriate."
The President nodded and tapped his index fingers absently on the paper. He looked to his left. The stout, balding Roland Rizzi was standing beside the desk.
"This is good, Rollo."
"Thank you, Mr. President."
"What's more"--he smiled--"I believe it. I don't often get to say that about documents which I'm asked to sign."
Martha and Vanzandt chuckled.
"The dead man," said the President. "He was a Syrian citizen shot in Lebanon."
"That's correct, sir."
"Should they decide to pressure us, what jurisdiction do Damascus and Beirut have in this matter?"
"Theoretically," said Rizzi, "they could demand General Rodgers's extradition. Even if they did, however, we would not accede to that."
"Syria has given sanctuary to more international criminals than any nation on earth," said Burkow. "I, for one, would love for them to ask just so we could tell them no."
"Could they make things rough for us in the press?" asked the President.
"They'd need proof for that, sir," said Rizzi. "And also to push for General Rodgers's extradition."
"And where is that proof?" the President asked. "Where is the body of the dead Kurdish leader?"
"It's in the cave that used to be their headquarters," said Bob Herbert. "Before they left the area, Striker blew it up with the Tomahawk warhead."
"Our press department put out the story that he was killed in an explosion at his headquarters," Martha said. "No one will question that, and it will satisfy the Kurds who followed him."
"Very good," said the President. He picked up a black fountain pen from his blotter. He hesitated. "Do we know that General Rodgers will toe the mark? I don't have to worry about him writing a book or talking to the press?"
"I'll vouch for General Rodgers," said Vanzandt. "He's a company man."
"I'll hold you to that," the President said as he affixed his signature to the bottom of the document.
Rizzi removed the pardon and the pen from the President's desk. The President rose and the group began moving to the door. As they did, Rizzi walked over to Herbert and handed the pen to him. The intelligence chief held it tightly, triumphantly, before tucking it into his shirt pocket.
"Remind General Rodgers that whatever he does henceforth not only affects him but the lives and careers of the people who believed in him," Rizzi said.
"Mike won't have to be told," Herbert said.
"He went through quite an ordeal in Lebanon," Rizzi said. "Make sure he gets some rest."
Martha walked over. "We'll see to it, of course," she said. "And thank you, Roland, for everything you've done."
Martha and Herbert left, Herbert waving playfully at Deputy Chief of Staff Klaw, who had come to escort them out.
As the group made their way in silence through the carpeted corridor, Herbert had confidence in what General Vanzandt had said. Mike Rodgers would never do anything to compromise or embarrass those