Tom Clancy's Op-center Balance of Power - Tom Clancy [32]
Rodgers was still standing behind Carol Lanning. He unfolded his arms and shifted his weight. "She stood up to some pretty tough dealers in the drug trade in Mexico City. She's got iron in her back."
"I see where you're going, Paul," Liz said, "and I want to caution you. Aideen's under a lot of emotional stress. Throw her into a covert police action right now and the pressure could break her."
"It could also be just what she needs," Herbert said.
"You're absolutely right," Liz replied. "Everyone is different. Only the question isn't just what Aideen needs. If she goes undercover and cracks, she could be the nail that cost the horse that cost the kingdom."
"Besides," Herbert said to Hood, "if we send someone else over to follow the muddy footprints, we lose time."
"Darrell," Hood asked, "did you hear that?"
"I heard."
"What do you think?"
"I think a couple of things," McCaskey said. "Mike's right. The lady's got backbone to spare. She wasn't afraid to get right in Serrador's face. And my gut tells me the same thing as Bob's: I'm inclined to let her loose on the Spaniards. But Liz has also got a solid point. So if it's okay with you, let me talk to Aideen first. I'll know pretty quick whether she's up to it."
Hood's eyes shifted to the staff psychologist. "Liz, if we decide to go ahead with something and Aideen's involved, what should Darrell look for? Any physical signs?"
"Extreme restlessness," Liz replied. "Rapid speech, foot tapping, cracking the knuckles, heavy sighing, that sort of thing. She's got to be able to focus. If her mind wanders into guilt and loss, she's going to drop down a hole and not be able to get out."
"Any questions, Darrell?" Hood asked.
"None," McCaskey said.
"Very good," Hood said. "Darrell, I'm going to have Bob and his team look over any new intelligence that's come in. If there's anything useful, they'll get it over to you."
"I'm also going to make a few calls over here," McCaskey said. "There are some people at Interpol who might be able to help us."
"Excellent," Hood said. "Anyone else?"
"Mr. Hood," Carol Lanning said, "this is not my area of expertise but I do have a question."
"Go ahead," Hood said. "And please-it's Paul."
She nodded and cleared her throat. "Might I ask if you're looking to gather intelligence to turn over to the Spanish authorities or-" She hesitated.
"Or what?"
"Or are you looking for revenge?"
Hood thought for a moment. "Frankly, Ms. Lanning, I want both."
"Good," she said. Rising, she smoothed her skirt and squared her shoulders. "I hoped I wasn't the only one."
* * *
SEVEN
Monday, 10:56 p.m.
San Sebastián, Spain
No one had survived the explosion of the Ramirez yacht.
Adolfo hadn't expected anyone to be left alive. The blast had flipped the ship onto its side before anyone could get out. The men who weren't killed in the explosion itself were drowned when the yacht capsized. Only the pilot of the runabout had escaped. Adolfo knew about the man. He was Juan Martinez, a leader of the Ramirez familia. He had a reputation for being resourceful and devoted to his boss. But Adolfo wasn't worried about Martinez-or any other Ramirez thugs. Very soon the familia would no longer exist as an adversarial force. And with their demise other familias would stay out of the General's way. It was funny how power didn't matter so much when one's survival was threatened.
The fisherman and two other late-night trawlers had waited at the scene to provide police with eyewitness accounts of the explosion. When two young officers with the harbor patrol boarded Adolfo's boat, he acted as though he were very upset by the evening's events. The officers told Adolfo to calm down, which he did-but only slightly. He informed them that he had been looking toward the harbor when the ship exploded. Adolfo said that all he saw was the dying fireball