“Jesus,” replied Rick, “that does not sound in any way good. Because you’re not dealing with some nutcase, you’re dealing with a professional operation from the Middle East. If they can knock down the Towers, I guess they can knock down Arnold.”
“Not if we can help it,” said Jimmy. “And it has now been agreed that we will call in either a U.S. Navy SEAL, or a Green Beret, or a Ranger, to stand personal guard over the admiral. Obviously we want a real combat veteran, preferably a man who has fought with our Special Forces not only in a remote and rural environment, but also in an urban theater.”
Rick got it. And he raised his eyebrows. “And that’s why you’re here? To ask me to rejoin the Navy and fly to Europe to protect Arnold Morgan?”
“Yes, I suppose I am.”
“Out of the question,” said Diana.
“I guess you heard the lady,” added Rick. “I couldn’t possibly do that. I have vast responsibilities here, I couldn’t just up and leave.”
“Not even for two or three weeks?” said Jimmy. “I know August is your least busy month. Now the covering season is over.”
“How can a man who thinks Black Toney is a bank robber possibly know that?” asked Diana, smiling.
“Olin told me,” said Jimmy, simply. “But I don’t think I have explained very well how important this is. As you doubtless know, Admiral Morgan is closer to the president than anyone else in the country except for his wife. Paul Bedford relies on Arnold for all advice on global problems and threats to the United States.
“He is well acquainted with the grave danger this General Rashood poses. And he immediately suggested that Admiral John Bergstrom be brought into the equation. You are Admiral Bergstrom’s choice. And by now the president knows full well, and approves, that you should be the chosen man.”
“Hmmmm,” said Rick, his mind racing. “Under no circumstances can I undertake this, but no one likes to personally turn down the President of the United States.”
“Rick, this thing is going higher than even I know. President Bedford is speaking to the British prime minister today, requesting special permission for an armed American bodyguard to have free choice in the matter of Arnold ’s safety… to legally open fire if necessary.”
“Guess the guy’ll need that,” said Rick. “These things are always split-second. You spot something and act instantly. If you don’t, the target’s dead.”
“And of course,” said Jimmy, smoothly, “you would not be the target.”
“Neither,” said Diana, sweetly, “was this George Kallan. But he’s still dead.”
“Rick, if you were to accept this assignment, you would look back in years to come. And you won’t remember the inconvenience. Only the honor of being chosen by the U.S. president to carry out a mission that close to his heart.
“Right now, you are hearing it from this lowly lieutenant commander from the National Security Agency. If I go back and say you’ve refused, you’ll be in the Oval Office tomorrow, trust me.”
“Well, even the president can’t force us to agree, can he?” said Diana.
But Rick added, “He probably couldn’t force you, Diana. But you’re not an American, and sometimes I think you don’t quite understand what that office means to all of us. Especially if you’ve served in the military.”
And Rick turned to Jimmy and said, “I have to admit, I would find it very difficult to tell the President of the United States that I would not answer his call to protect his closest friend, who just happens to be one of America ’s finest strategists and greatest patriots.”
Jimmy nodded, unsmiling. “I can’t stress this too much, Rick-the highest powers in this country want you to go to Great Britain, on behalf of the president, and do everything you can to prevent this terrorist from killing Arnold Morgan.”
“It’s so unfair,” interjected Diana. “Rick’s not even in the Navy any more. Why should he have to step in when there are so many young guys who would be honored to go on a mission like that?”
“Mostly because Rick is the best Navy SEAL there’s ever been,” said Jimmy. “At least that’s what the Navy high command thinks. And that’s what the president believes. That’s why I’m here. And you can turn me down. But that won’t be the end of it. The president will want to see you.”
“And what will Rick get out of it, apart from the honor?”
“I’d guess anything he asks for,” replied Jimmy. “But if there was an incident, and he managed to save the admiral, I’d guess you’d be looking at the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since Rick would officially be in the Navy for the three-week length of the mission.”
“You mean the president could deem that Rick was a serving Navy officer and facing an enemy?” asked Diana.
“The president can deem anything he darn well pleases,” said Jimmy. “He’s the commander in chief. No one can argue.”
“Including me,” said Rick. “You are making this very difficult.”
He turned to his wife and added, “I do understand, Diana, that as a civilian you cannot quite tune in to… well… a warrior’s call to the flag. It’s not easy.”
“And it would be even less easy if you managed to get killed,” she retorted.
“Diana, that’s the one thing I’m not too worried about. An assassin usually has to spend a lot of time lining up his position and his shot. The best sniper rifles don’t have automatic loading, which means he only gets one shot, if he intends to escape.
“And the guy involved in this case is not some kid high on opium and happy to commit suicide. At least it doesn’t look that way. From what Jimmy says, this assassination will be carried out by the top commander in Hamas or Hezbollah, a guy we’ve never arrested or even gotten a chance to kill. We know he’s ex-SAS, so he’ll be damn good at his job.
“Jimmy, my biggest hesitation is that I might fail. And then have to live with the blame.”
“Rick, that’s not going to happen. Everyone agrees: if you can’t do it, it can’t be done. There will be no announcements, no one will ever know you were there. This mission is just about as classified as anything can get. You will travel in secret, operate in secret, and return home in secret. If you should fail, no one will ever know.”
“I’ll know,” said Commander Hunter. “And that’s why I can’t allow anything to happen.”
Jimmy, recognizing the superior rank, asked flatly, “Sir, does that mean you’ll except the assignment?”
“Affirmative,” replied the SEAL.
Diana stood up. “I know when I’m beaten,” she smiled. “And I’m comforted by only one thing-this assassin’s not firing at Rick, is he?”
“He won’t have time,” replied Jimmy. “Not if he hopes to get away.”
“When do you guys need me on station?” asked Rick.
“Certainly in the next few days,” said Jimmy. “The trouble is, no one quite knows where Arnold is going. Since he left the White House, he’s been pretty secretive. My boss, Admiral Morris, has spoken to the CIA, and they think he’s going to Scotland.”
“I have met him, you know,” said Rick. “A couple of times. Only briefly, but he’s a damned impressive guy. He was talking to me about the Middle East, and Jesus, he really knows his stuff. In just a few minutes he let me know why he can’t stand Arabs or Russians. Doesn’t trust ’em, any of ’em.”
Jimmy then told Rick that he could expect a call from Admiral Bergstrom, and probably from the president, before he left. “You’ll fly direct to Andrews Air Force Base from here in a Navy jet. And from there you’ll fly private to either Edinburgh or Glasgow, if Arnie’s in Scotland, or RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, England. All your gear will be preloaded. Do you have a weapon you prefer?”
“I’ll need a short-barreled CAR-15 automatic rifle. I’m used to it, and it’s the best I’ve ever used, probably the best military weapon ever made-fires a.223-caliber cartridge at high velocity. It has a thirty-round magazine. It’s very powerful, hits with enormous force. Just a small bullet, but it would stop a mountain lion dead in its tracks.”