Justice by Fire

10

Hal Brognola ignored the ringing telephone. Turning in the bed, he pulled a pillow over his head. He knew it would not be an important call. The White House or Stony Man would only call via the secure line. His pager would then sound an electronic tone. The ringing stopped as the answering machine in his study clicked on.

An amplified voice broke the silence of the house: "Hal? Hal Brognola? This is Congressman Buckley. I'm calling from San Francisco. I have a problem I need to discuss..."

Brognola groped for the phone. "Chris Buckley?" he whispered, to avoid waking up his wife. "Ah… this is Hal. What's the problem?"

"Sorry to wake you up. But I've got a bad situation and I need help with it tonight."

"Well, the Justice Department doesn't operate like that. Litigation can take years. Have you called..."

"The police? The FBI? The FBI may be involved in this problem. But on the other side. I thought you could put me in touch with some… specialists."

"Don't know what you mean, Mr. Buckley."

"Is this a secure line?"

"No."

"Give me the number. I'll call on the other..."

"Mr. Buckley, ifI had a secure line, and ifI could somehow help you with this problem you have, it would be a matter of authorization. And that authorization would be available only after consultation with my bureau. We have regulations and procedures."

"Remember Las Islas de Sabana?"

"What did you say?"

"Let's talk on the secure line."

Brognola gave him the number.