"So, we're not talking about sending in a team of commandos."

Vice President Baxter squeezed his hands together.

"I want to be very clear about that. Until we're sure what he wants, I'm not going to rush into anything."

"We only want to send in one person." Kennedy spoke in a reassuring voice. She thought it would be best to leave Milt Adams out of the picture for now.

"Once that person has given us a clear picture of what we're up against, we will present you with a plan to retake the building by force."

"If needed," added King.

"If needed." Kennedy glanced up at King and then back to the vice president.

King placed one hand on the mantel of the fireplace and the other on his hip. He had a feeling he knew whom the CIA would use to check out the building.

"This person," King started to ask, "would he by any chance be that Mr.

Kruse fellow?"

Kennedy and Stansfield shared a look, and Kennedy replied, "Yes."

"Well, that's funny," said King in an off voice, "because I did some checking on your Mr. Kruse, and I don't think his dossier matches up with the man I met yesterday."

"Mr. Kruse' is an alias for the man you met," Stansfield answered flatly.

"What's his real name?" King asked.

"That's classified."

"Come now." King smirked.

"If we're going to risk the lives of all of these hostages by sending your man in, I think at the bare minimum we should know who he is."

Stansfield looked at King for a moment and then turned to the vice president.

"There is no rational reason that I can think of for telling you his name."

"I can" answered King with confidence.

"If we are going to stick our necks out, I want to know who this guy is and where he's from."

Secrecy was an issue Stansfield never budged on. Being a former field operative himself, he understood firsthand the perils of sharing information too freely. That, combined with the fact that King needed to be reminded of his station in life, caused the director to reply, "Mr.

Kruse has been sent on highly delicate missions by three presidents, and not one of them ever knew his real identity. I am not about to tell the chief of staff for the vice president—who, I might remind everyone, has a penchant for talking to the press—the real identity of one of my top operatives." Stansfield turned to Baxter and in the same even tone asked, "Mr. Vice President, maybe you and I should talk about this alone?" Baxter looked at King sideways. The message was clear-get back in your cage and stay quiet. Turning his focus back to Stansfield, Baxter said, "I don't need to know his real identity, Director Stansfield. I trust you. One thing, however, does concern me… this Mr. Kruse fellow seems to be a bit volatile.

Possibly uncontrollable."

"What are you basing that assumption on?"

"From what I saw firsthand at the Pentagon, yesterday."

"What you've seen, sir," answered Kennedy, "might lead you to believe he is uncontrollable, but in reality he is extremely reliable. He follows orders to a T, and, most important, he gets results." Kennedy knew her words were slightly skewed, but she also knew there was no one better suited for the job than Mitch Rapp.

"His only fault, which some would argue is why he is so good, is that he doesn't tolerate mistakes or stupidity." Kennedy stopped momentarily and then added, "In Attorney General Tutwilers case I think he proved to be correct."

Vice President Baxter nodded soberly.

"Yes, he did."

"Mr. Vice President," Stansfield interjected with finality.

"Mr. Kruse is one of the best operatives I've ever seen… and you know how long I've been doing this."

Baxter leaned back in his chair and folded his hands in front of his mouth.

"Are there any legal issues to be concerned about?"

"Such as?"

"Using an employee of the CIA for something like this.

The American people are very squeamish about your agency operating within our borders."

"Technically, I think we're fine, and given the circumstances, I don't think anyone is going to make an issue out of it."

"As long as he's successful," added King.

"Does the FBI know anything about your plan?"

"No."

The vice president stood and walked over to a window away from the group. Baxter thought about the potential pitfalls.

If this Kruse didn't perform as advertised, there could be some serious repercussions. Why wasn't someone from the FBI sent in? Why didn't they wait to see if they could get more hostages released? The questions would go on and on. Baxter saw a risk—hell, the whole thing was a risk, and his political instincts told him to protect himself. After another minute of thought, Baxter decided to walk that thin line again.

The vice president came back over and sat.

"Director Stansfield, I have given you…" Baxter paused, searching for the most innocuous word, "permission to collect intelligence in this matter. What you choose to do specifically is up to you. I don't need to be kept in the loop for every decision along the way."

Stansfield, an expert at interpreting political speak, understood the vice president clearly. It was another Iran-Contra.

Baxter wanted Stansfield and the CIA to stick their necks out, and if things fell apart, he would have his plausible denial.

Stansfield looked at Baxter and nodded his understanding.

There would be time to handle these details at a later point.

For now they needed to get the ball rolling.

Baxter continued, "I'm reluctant to do anything until Aziz releases his next set of demands, which, of course, will be tomorrow morning. If we can exchange more hostages for money, I'm inclined to do it."

"Sir," said Kennedy, "if I may be frank, I don't think he's going to keep asking for money."

"What do you think he will ask for?"

Stansfield leaned forward and fielded the question.

"That is anyone's guess." The director of the CIA wasn't about to divulge his ace in the hole, their custody of Fara Harut-especially to someone like Baxter.

"But, I would agree with Irene."

Baxter pondered what the next demand might be and then turned his attention back to the matter at hand.

"Who knows about your plans for Mr. Kruse?"

"General Flood, a select few others at the Pentagon, and us."

"No one at the FBI?" Baxter repeated.

"No."

"For now I think you should go about collecting your intelligence independent of the FBI.. They have enough to worry about."

Stansfield again read between the lines and nodded. The FBI was to be kept in the dark about Rapp. More proof that the vice president wanted to insulate himself from any potential disaster.

Baxter looked at Stansfield and asked, "Is that all?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Good. Thank you for keeping us informed." Baxter motioned for the door.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, I need to get ready to address the nation."

Stansfield and Kennedy stood and started for the door. As they neared it. Vice President Baxter called out, "If you decide to send your man in, please keep him on a short leash."

Stansfield gave his silent answer with a nod, then followed Kennedy into the hallway. THEY HIT THE first checkpoint three blocks away from the White House. A quarter of a moon shone in the night sky, and not a cloud was in sight. Rapp was riding in the backseat of the long, black Suburban with Milt Adams. Lt. Commander Harris of SEAL Team Six was in the passenger seat, and Chief Petty Officer Mick Reavers was driving.

Following the Suburban through the checkpoints were a plain blue van and a larger black box van. Lt. Commander Harris handled the D.C. Metro Police at the first two checkpoints and then the Secret Service agents at the last checkpoint. Word had been sent down from on high that the CIA was moving in some sensitive equipment to conduct surveillance.