Target Omega

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

In the two weeks since the bombing began, American and Israeli forces had substantially degraded Iran’s nuclear capacity and had caused serious damage to its overall military infrastructure.

The first targets hit were the hardened sites identified by Garin as those that would launch missiles against the United States and Israel. B-2 stealth bombers dropped several fifteen-ton bunker busters — specially reconfigured versions of the bomb known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator — on one Iranian site alone. The weapon, by far the largest conventional bomb ever produced, was designed to penetrate hundreds of feet of mountain rock as well as the concrete and steel protecting the fortified silos before exploding. And that’s precisely what they did. Ground intelligence confirmed obliteration of the facility.

The prudential destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities followed next. Even Western antiwar and environmental activists conceded that both the Israeli and American airstrikes were impressive in avoiding the release of nuclear material into the environment. Still, the predictable denunciations ensued.

While the Israelis focused much of their attention on devastating Iranian command and control, US AGM-86 and BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles targeted nuclear enrichment plants throughout the country. Bunker busters also hit processing plants in Arak and Parchin. Even so, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Taylor advised President Marshall that several more weeks of bombing were necessary to completely eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat.

When the joint US-Israeli assault began, massive protests erupted in major cities in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, only to collapse once the US government released hundreds of photos of the interior of the mountain facility. The photos revealed in exacting detail the purpose and scale of the project. The source of the photographic evidence remained classified. In truth, the source was unknown. But the photos, including those of known Iranian nuclear scientists working on warheads within the facility, presented nearly irrefutable evidence of Iranian plans to launch nuclear weapons against its enemies.

As expected, world markets took a substantial hit but began recovering sooner than expected. Energy markets continued to remain volatile but began showing signs of stability after US, British, and French naval forces secured the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudis, relieved that action had finally been taken against their chief rival, Iran, announced a significant increase in oil production. Curiously, even the Russians, who the experts had expected would try to capitalize on the interruption of oil flow, worked feverishly to neutralize the adverse effects on the oil markets. Much of the Iranian population initially rallied around the regime, especially after propaganda of civilian causalities was circulated. But barely a week later, support began to ebb. Brandt, however, cautioned the president not to expect a regime change anytime soon.

During the first few days of the air campaign, most of the world, including its nastier elements, watched in fascination. Garin knew that in a short while the bad guys would try to exploit the world’s distraction in order to make strategic mischief. Scattered reports of clashes in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province suggested that it might be the next region to explode. Whether Garin would have any involvement in containing the situation was yet to be determined.

For the moment, Garin’s life was in a holding pattern. The first few days after the takedown of the Iranians at the Terrapin Estates cabin were occupied with briefings at Langley and attending the services for Dwyer’s men killed by Taras Bor. Then he’d spent a few days at Katy’s, before he and Dwyer flew to California to check on Clint Laws, who had been released from intensive care and was finally able to receive visitors.

At the moment, however, Laws was unaware he had visitors. Garin and Dwyer sat patiently in his room while Laws slept through a good portion of visiting hours. He appeared to Garin to have lost at least thirty pounds, and his skin looked dry and sallow. The trauma seemed to have aged him ten years. Laws finally opened his eyes and, upon seeing Garin and Dwyer sitting next to the bed, drawled, “Lord, I’ve died and gone to hell.”

“Hell wouldn’t take you,” Garin said.

“Well, this sure ain’t heaven, that’s for sure. Otherwise, you two dummies wouldn’t be here.”

Garin and Dwyer stood so Laws could see them better. It was a gesture of respect as much as convenience.

“This is where you guys are supposed to tell me how good I look. Didn’t your mamas learn you any hospital etiquette? Geez, you two are hopeless.”

“How long are you going to be in here, Clint?” Dwyer asked.

“It’ll be a while,” a nurse who entered the room to check his vitals said. “He’s recovering well, but he’s still got a long ways to go. Needs lots of rest. This wasn’t a case of the hiccups. He stays awake maybe ten minutes at a stretch, so don’t be concerned if he falls asleep on you; it’s normal. By the way, no rush, but visiting hours are almost over.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Laws countered. “They just can’t bear for me to leave.”

“His hands are perfectly fine,” the nurse agreed. “They’ve been all over every nurse in this ward. Can you two convince him to keep them to himself? Or we’ll have to put him in restraints.”

“Darlin’, you just want to put me in restraints so you can have your way with me,” Laws said with a wink.

The nurse smiled over her shoulder as she left. It was the same smile, Garin noted, as the one the waitress at the Diamondback Bar had flashed.

Laws watched the nurse leave before turning to Garin.

“What’s next for you, Chief?”

“I haven’t decided, Clint.”

“He had a meeting with the secretary of defense himself a few days ago,” Dwyer interjected. “At the request of the commander in chief, no less. He won’t say what it was about, but my guess is they want him to take some low-paying job, risking his life for God and country. I’ve been trying to convince him to come back to DGT as a full partner, where he can make lots of money directing others to risk their lives for God and country.”

“So, back to the private sector, Chief?” Laws asked. “Make some more money?”

“He’s absolutely got to if he’s got any hope of escorting one Ms. Olivia Perry around Washington,” Dwyer said. “You can’t entertain a woman like that on a government salary.”

“Whoa, whoa, hold up. Olivia Perry?” Laws asked, looking genuinely impressed. “Fat boy’s right, Chief. I’ve seen her on TV sitting behind James Brandt. Yeah, buddy. Now, that’s a woman. Way out of your league, though, son.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling him,” Dwyer agreed. “Wait. Fat boy?”

“She’s a star, Chief. She’s being groomed for bigger things. By the end of the president’s first term she’ll be an assistant secretary of… something or other. Guaranteed. That means Georgetown cocktail parties, state dinners. She sure as hell can’t be dragging an embarrassing specimen like you to those things.”

“Tell him.” Dwyer nodded emphatically.

“Do you even know how to use a salad fork? I mean, for something other than severing someone’s trachea?”

“Save your breath,” Garin said. “Nothing’s happening. She has absolutely no interest in me. Besides, I don’t think operators are quite her type.”

“Now, that’s the first thing I’ve heard since this thing began that makes sense,” said Laws.

“And, sorry to disappoint you, but I’ve got no interest in her, either,” Garin added.

“I call bull. Big-time. Everyone’s interested in her,” Dwyer said.

But the tone of Laws’s voice, to Dwyer’s disappointment, turned sober. “So, what’s it going to be, Chief? You going back to work with Dan?”

“To lead a long and prosperous life?” Dwyer added.

Garin didn’t reply.

“Dan,” Laws said, tilting his head toward the door.

“I’ll be down in the cafeteria,” Dwyer informed them, to no one’s evident surprise. “Bring you guys anything?”

Laws and Garin each shook his head and watched as Dwyer turned to leave. After a moment, Laws shifted his gaze to Garin.

“You weren’t meant for a long and prosperous life, Mike. Not you. Your life will be strenuous and short.”

Garin wore a faint sardonic smile. If only Clint knew. “‘To every man upon this Earth death cometh soon or late.’”

“And you’re not going back to DGT.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions. I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet, Clint.”

“There’s no decision to make. We both know that. We both know exactly what you’re going to do.”

Garin cocked his head slightly, considering Laws’s statement. “I don’t know that.”

“Tell me something, Mike. If you can.”

Garin nodded for Laws to continue, knowing what the question would be.

“Did you kill Bor?”

The two men stared at each other for a long moment. Then Garin shook his head almost imperceptibly.

“He had help on the inside, Mike,” Laws said, his voice raspy. “High up. Way higher than Julian Day. Day couldn’t have authorized Congo Knox. It had to come from one of only two places. You know that.”

Again, Garin’s nod was barely visible.

Laws exhaled wearily. “A short life, Mike. Remember that. Yours will be a short life.”

“Get some sleep, Clint.”

The old warrior’s eyes closed slowly. Garin watched him for several minutes before turning to leave. Upon reaching the door he heard Laws whisper, “Mike.”

Garin paused and looked back. Laws lay perfectly still, his appearance cadaverous. With his eyes still closed, he turned his head in Garin’s direction and spoke, his voice barely audible but clear.

“Kill them all.”