Transfer of Power

RAPP HAD AWKWARDLY accepted Anna Rieuy’s apology.

Somewhere in the back of his mind it registered that asking her to not tell this story was impossible. She would have to tell it to one degree or another-as long as she now accepted the conditions. From the corner the secure field radio beeped several times, announcing that an encrypted communication was received. Rapp reached over and snatched the handset.

“Yep.”

“Mitchell, it’s Thomas. Have you found a way to verify our most recent problem?”

Rapp was a little surprised that Stansfield had used his first name.

“Maybe. Milt seems to think he might have a way, but it might be hard to pull it off from a logistical standpoint.”

There was no immediate reply. After a moment Stansfield began to speak in a very slow and deliberate voice.

“Mitchell, you’ve sacrificed a lot over the last ten or so years, and I’m very grateful for that.” There was another pause.

“I’m going to ask you to do something, and I don’t want you to discuss it with anyone else.” Stansfield stopped again, letting the gravity of his request sink in.

“Am I understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“First, we must verify if President Hayes is safe in his bunker. Second, we need to reestablish radio contact with him.

All radio and phone traffic from the bunker has been jammed, as you know. Find and disable that unit so I can speak directly to the president.”

Rapp clutched the phone.

“What are my rules of engagement?”

“I would prefer it if you did it as quietly as possible, but use whatever force you see fit. Just make sure you get the president back on line.”

The magic words reverberated through Rapp’s mind. He was free to do as he saw fit. Now he could really get things done. Almost as quickly as he had begun to celebrate, he saw that something didn’t fit.

“Does anyone else know about this?”

“Just you and me.”

Rapp closed his eyes. This was unusual.

“What about Irene?”

“No. Just the two of us.”

“So I’ll be operating without a net for a while.”

“I’m afraid so.” Stansfield wasn’t pleased with this, but there was no other way.

Rapp nodded while he thought about his lack of backup. Fuck it, he said to himself. You’re used to working alone.

Into the thin receiver Rapp said, “I’ll take care of it, sir, but make sure the cavalry is ready. Things could get real ugly in here.”

“I will, Mitchell, and please be careful.”

“Always.” Rapp replaced the receiver and looked up at Adams.

Some weird shit must be happening on the other side, he thought. Ticking through the possibilities of what might have precipitated Stansfield’s unusual call, Rapp stopped a short while down the list. No sense in clouding the mind. He had enough to worry about right here.

Pointing at the blueprints, Rapp said, “We have to find a way to check this out.”