“Still, it’s too much power for five people to wield.” The president pressed on. “So what you're saying is that by taking one out it wouldn't be as much of a political detriment as it would be by taking out all five at once?”
“That’s correct, sir. And getting to any of the five, especially those in Israel, would be difficult to do. They’re literally protected as if they were gods, which is why insurgents have yet to endeavor to take them out.”
“So knowing his efforts would prove wasteful, Hakam is forcing his enemies to fight within.”
“Yes, sir. He knows we have the advantage of getting close without drawing suspicion since we’re their key ally. Once we do…”
“Then he expects us to pull the trigger.”
“And if we do that,” said Hamilton, “then we will forever alienate ourselves from Mossad and never be trusted by them again.”
“And that would be killing two birds with one stone,” said Burroughs. “Maybe three if he detonates those nukes.”
“Without Mossad we would be left so wide open to terrorist attacks it wouldn’t even be funny. We need Mossad, Mr. President. We simply can’t do this.”
The president sat down with his head bowed, the fingers of his right hand toying with his lower lip as he deliberated. “And the price for not acting would be the loss of LA. There has to be an alternative.”
“I don’t see one, Mr. President,” said Dean.
“The one thing I have always believed in,” the president said, sounding somnolent, “is that there is a solution for everything. We need to look harder.”
Thornton spoke. “Mr. President, Hakam will be back online in two minutes.”
The president stared at the faces of those sitting at the table — at the men, the women, at all the political principals — who were looking at their Commander-in-Chief who, for the moment, was rendered powerless. It was a position none of them cared to be in.
“If Mossad was to lose their attaché at the embassy in DC—”
“Mr. President,” Thornton’s tone was that of incredulity, if not admonishment. “You’re not actually entertaining the idea of having a member of Mossad assassinated, are you? Israel is one of our chief allies!”
The president raised his hand to stop Thornton from saying anything further. “Hakam wants an answer soon and I’ll have to give him one. I certainly can’t tell him that we refuse to go forward with this because we’re a huge fan of Israel. He’ll just drive Shepherd One right into the ground. What I need to do is buy more time. So for now, I’ll tell him exactly what he wants to hear.”
“Which includes the assassination of a Mossad agent?”
“Unfortunately, Ms. Rokach may have to become collateral damage. Since she’s here in the States, it could be made to look like anything but a political killing. Her death would provide us the disablement of a nuclear device and additional time. Mossad would never know the truth.”
Thornton clenched his teeth. Although he hated the idea of compromising with terrorists, he knew the president had no other course of action.
On cue the screen winked on and Hakam’s composed image waited for the president’s answer.
“We will do as you ask,” said Burroughs, “to see if you’re willing to hold onto your faith of good gesture. If we commit to this, then you will disable the weapon and hand it to us by mid-air transfer?”
“Yes.”
“Then we’ll need five hours.”
“You have three,” he said. “Once Rokach has been removed, then we’ll discuss the terms regarding the remaining four. But if you’re unable to commit to the task at hand, then there’ll be no further reason to discuss additional terms. Los Angeles will become a wasteland and hundreds of thousands will die. You know your target, Mr. President. You have three hours and not a second more.” The screen suddenly went dead.
“I hate it when that son of a bitch cuts me off like that.”
“Are you really going to use Rokach as collateral damage?” asked Hamilton.
“Only as a last resort,” he said. “Right now we have nearly three hours to come up with a solution. Let’s concentrate on that.”
As the president was about to address a team that had already proffered numerous proposals, all of them highly implausible, but propositions nonetheless, an aide placed a manila envelope before the president. Inside were three pages, an intercepted fax, a copy of Shepherd One’s passenger list, and an explanation of the contained documents. It appeared that an email was sent to the Vatican from someone on board the plane, someone not in league with the Muslim Revolutionary Front.
Burroughs couldn’t help but smile, signifying hope. Raising the intercepted email, he said, “People, it appears we have somebody on board Shepherd One.”
On the large viewing screen before the president and his team was the printout of the email in high-definition. It was clear, in bold, and at the moment for everyone there, the message was rife with the prospect of hope.
Bonasero:
Shepherd One commandeered by terrorist faction of six; however, one has been terminated and two disabled. At least one bishop is dead. Pope Pius, at least for now, well. Options limited due to being locked in the lower level with no access to upper.
Heightened hostile intent; two nuclear weapons on board!
Enzio flying under duress; family believed to be held captive in Perugia — maybe at the Ponte Felcino Mosque or the old munitions factory on the outskirts. Send the Knights to secure their safe release. Have Leviticus lead the team.
I’ll do what I can from my end. Contact me ASAP.
KIMBALL
“I knew it,” said the president. “I knew both weapons were on board! So that takes care of that question regarding the location of the two remaining devices. Now we need to dissect the rest of the letter. Go ahead, Al.”
Thornton used a laser pen and traced the beam over the lines of the first paragraph with a steady hand. “So far we’ve established that the Bonasero mentioned in this letter is most likely Bonasero Vessucci — who happens to be a highly respected cardinal within the College who is reputed to be the next pope upon the death of Pius. If a vote was conducted today, it’s said that he’d be the strongest consideration.
“Secondly, there’s the mention of the six terrorists on board; however, this Kimball notes that one has been terminated and two are disabled. So the question is: How is that possible? We know six crew members boarded, according to TSA. So how does Hakam lose half his team by the time the plane lifts off; to the time this message is sent?”
“First and foremost,” said the president, “before we get too far, have we confirmed this to be a true interception from Shepherd One?”
“There’s absolutely no doubt. This message came from the Avionics Room, which is located beneath the cockpit. And this gives further credence that this Kimball is locked in the level beneath the main deck, which gives him direct access to the room. Or so I’m told.”
“The problem is,” added Craner, “is that I didn’t see anybody with a first or last name on the passenger list with the name of Kimball.”
“And this makes me wonder if somebody hacked into the system and sent a bogus message.”
Thornton shook his head. “All matters have been investigated by our experts. This message most definitely… came… from the Avionics Room of Shepherd One.”
The president examined the large screen intently. “Then who the hell is this Kimball guy?”