Page 126 of Casualties of War
Collins grimaced. “Anything else?” he asked heavily.
“My father, sir,” Olivia said.
The President sighed. “It was murder?”
Olivia linked her hands together. “A meeting was set up at the hospital. He thought he was meeting Falworth. I checked with Sydney Falworth this morning. He said there was no meeting. Whoever was behind the bombing used the bombnot just to put the screws on you, Mr. President, but also to grab the cobaltandtake care of my father, all in one explosion.”
“Efficient of them.” Collin’s tone sharpened as he added. “Why kill Callan?”
“Killing my father cripples you, sir,” Olivia said.
“And Callan Davenport knew there was a mole in the White House,” Adán said.
Richard lurched to his feet with a hiss. He moved around thebig desk to the window behind it. He peered out at the covered walk for a long, thought-filled moment. He came back to the sofas and sat on the upright chair between them. “I’d accuse you of being melodramatic, only a hospital wing lies in rubble and I saw the drone footage of those poor people…” He looked at Adán. “Will they survive?”
Adán shook his head. “Most of them will be dead in a dayor two, sir.”
Collins closed his eyes. “The buck stops here,” he whispered.
They waited.
The President cleared his throat. “The problem with hunting a mole is who to appoint as mole-catcher.”
“My father suggested you bring in an outsider,” Olivia said.
“Who?”
“My husband.” She paused. “He has unique qualifications.”
“I can’t bring a foreign national into the White House. What was Callanthinking?”
“I believe he thought that even sitting on the other side of the gate and sifting data, Daniel can provide more insight into how an operative works under deep cover than any man you trust right now.” Her tone was cool. “I asked him to fly here as soon as he could.”
Collins considered them both. “That is why you’re here? To offer your help?”
“You’re helping Vistaria,” Adán said, andshrugged.
“Whoever the mole is, they have high level clearance and they’re ruthless about using it. If you attempt to help me with this, you’ll be in as much danger as Callan was.”
“We’ve both faced far more acute danger lately, Mr. President,” Adán told him.
Collin’s gaze dropped to Adán’s leg. He nodded. “This is an extraordinary time. Extraordinary measures are called for. For now, I willaccept your help on a limited basis. I want you to clear the names of men I think I can trust. When they are clear, they will be read in and can take over the investigation. I cannot and will not allow you access to defense information, though. You’re not wearing uniforms, yet you’re combatants of a foreign power, all the same.”
“Think of us as allies,” Adán told him. “We’re here with a commonpurpose.”
“Victory,” Collins said, with deep satisfaction.
* * * * *
The rap on the hotel suite door was sharp. Imperative.
Olivia leaned through the door of the bedroom she was using. “That has to be for you. Daniel doesn’t tap.”
Adán lifted a brow as he reached for the cane. “What does he do? Blow the door down?”
“He prefers windows.” Her smile was small. She lifted her phone. “Besides,he’s only just through customs.” She stepped back into the bedroom and shut the door.
Adán worked his way over to the door and opened it.
