Stuart Woods_Stone Barrington 14

will be a bit of a cold shower for Lance, but I think it’s the fastest way to get him up to speed. I’ll make a written announcement to the building at half past four this afternoon.”
    â€œVery well, I’ll get out of my office this afternoon.”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary, Hugh. Lance can continue to work from his temporary office until you feel the transition is as complete as you can make it. I know that Lance will want to consult with you on an hour-by-hour basis, until he has all the reins firmly in his hands. I know that moving out of an office you’ve occupied for as long as you have will take time; there’ll be a lot of files and mementos to go through, and I’ll appoint a screening committee to sift through everything as you send it home, to protect both you and the Agency from any inadvertent transfer of classified material.”
    â€œAll right.” English was looking a little deflated now.
    â€œAlso, Hugh, I know you’ll probably want to write your memoirs, and I’d like you to do that on a secure Agency computer, which we will install in whatever home you choose. Because of the sensitivity of your work here, I want to place a moratorium of one year from today on any contact with the press or publishers. You may instruct an agent to offer your book to publishers, if you wish, but of course, we’ll want to vet the proposal, which should be vague.
    â€œI know, Hugh, that over the years you’ve established an outstanding network of contacts in Congress, and I hope that, at a series of lunches here at the Agency, you will introduce Lance to as many key people as you can, even though congressional approval is not required for his appointment, as it was not for yours. I must ask you, though, to refer any questions from Congress about any operations to your successor.”
    â€œOf course. How much longer do you contemplate that you will need me in the building?”
    â€œI should think at least a few days, perhaps longer, but that will be up to you and Lance. When you both feel that Lance is comfortable in the job, then we’ll send you on your way with all our best wishes.”
    There was a knock at the door, and the director’s secretary stuck her head in. “Lance Cabot is here.”
    â€œWould you ask him to wait just a moment, please?”
    The woman left, and Kate turned back to Hugh English. “Hugh, is there anything you’d like to talk about before we invite Lance in?”
    â€œYes, Director; I have some questions about whatever it is that Lance is doing in St. Marks.”
    â€œHugh, I’m afraid that, in the circumstances, I can’t answer your questions, at least not yet. Lance is firmly in control of his very small operation there, and this afternoon, he’ll be talking with Jim Tiptree, Bill and Annie Pepper and the ambassador, just to get everybody on the same page.”
    â€œWell, certainly everybody is not on the same page now.”
    â€œI know, and I apologize for that being necessary in the circumstances. I know you felt left out of this business, but please be assured that that was not due to any lack of trust in you. It was necessary to compartmentalize, it was done on my authority, and I hope there will be no hard feelings for Lance on your part. If blame is to be assigned for anything, please assign it to me. Anything else?”
    â€œNo, Director, I think not.”
    â€œThen I’ll ask Lance in,” she said, pressing a buzzer. “Please send Lance Cabot in.”
    Lance knocked, then opened the door.
    â€œCome in, Lance,” Kate said, “and have a seat.” She reached over, took the bottle of wine from the cooler and poured them each a glass. “I’d like to propose a toast,” she said, and they all stood. “To the Central Intelligence Agency’s new deputy director for operations.”
    â€œCongratulations, Lance,” Hugh English said, mustering a trace of warmth. “I know you’ll do a great job.”
    The director and English drank, while Lance looked stunned.
    â€œI’m sorry if I’m speechless,” Lance said.
    â€œNever happened before,” Kate said, and they all chuckled.
    â€œDirector, I want to thank you for your trust; Hugh, I want to thank you in advance for all the help I’ll need from you to get a grip on the job.” He raised his glass and drank.
    They all sat down, and lunch was