The Mark of the Assassin

with
    devastating accuracy. We have satellite imagery of the camps, and that
    information has been programmed into the cruise missiles. They won't
    make a mistake."
    "What about the camps in Syria and Libya?" the President asked. "The
    John IF. Kennedy and its battle group have moved into position in the
    Mediterranean. We'll use the cruise missiles against the base in Syria.
    Libya is the group's main base of operations. That camp is the largest
    and most complex. To put it out of business will require a larger
    strike. Therefore, we would use Stealth fighters based in Italy for the
    job."
    The President turned to Secretary of State Martin Claridge. "Martin,
    what impact will a strike have on our policy in the Middle East?"
    "Difficult to say, Mr. President. It will certainly inflame Islamic
    radicals, and it will certainly stir things up in Gaza and the West
    Bank. As for Syria, it will make it more difficult to bring Assad to the
    peace table, but he's been in no hurry to get there in any case. It
    will, however, also send a powerful message to those states that
    continue to support terrorism. Therefore you have my support, Mr.
    President."
    "The risks, gentlemen?" Vandenberg asked. National Security Adviser
    William Bristol cleared his throat. "We must accept there is some risk
    that Iran, Syria, or Libya might decide to strike back."
    "If they do," said Defense Secretary Payne, "they will pay a very heavy
    price. We have more than enough force in the Mediterranean and the Gulf
    to deal any one of those nations a serious blow."
    "There is another threat," said CIA Director Clark. "Retaliation in the
    form of increased terrorism. We should certainly place all our embassies
    and personnel worldwide on a very high state of alert."
    "Already done," said Secretary of State Claridge. "We issued a secret
    communication last night."
    Finally, Beckwith turned to Vandenberg. "What do you think, Paul?"
    "I think we should hit them and hit them very hard, Mr. President. It's
    a measured response, it's decisive, and it shows resolve. It
    demonstrates that the United States government will take steps to
    protect its people. And politically, it will be the equivalent of a
    ninth-inning grand slam. Sterling will have to support you. To do
    anything else would appear unpatriotic. He'll be paralyzed, sir."
    A silence fell over the room as everyone waited for the President to
    speak. "I think the Sword of Gaza represents a clear danger to the
    citizens and interests of the United States of America," he said
    finally. "They have committed an act of cowardice and barbarism against
    this nation, and they need to be punished. When can we hit them?"
    "Whenever you give the order, Mr. President."
    "Tonight," he said. "Do it tonight, gentlemen."
    Vandenberg looked down at his notes. He had orchestrated it well, and
    the President had reached the intended decision and was comfortable with
    the position. Vandenberg had done a good job. "Before we adjourn,
    gentlemen, we have one other piece of business," Vandenberg said. "Mr.
    President, would you like to tell them about it, or shall I?"
    CALAHAN PLAYED THE TAPE for Mitchell Elliott in the library of the
    Kalorama mansion. Elliott listened intently, his forefinger lying across
    his nose, his eyes fixed on the trees in the garden. The quality was
    good, though dropouts made parts of the conversation nearly inaudible.
    When it was over, Elliott sat motionless. He had planned it all so
    carefully, but a reporter asking too many questions could undo it all.
    "She's trouble, Mr. Elliott," Calahan said, removing the tape from
    Elliott's elaborate stereo system. "Unfortunately, there's not much we
    can do at this point except watch and wait. What kind of coverage do you
    have on her?"
    "Room bugs in the house and one on her telephone."
    "That's not good enough. I want one on her car as well."
    "No problem. She leaves it on the street at night."
    "And her computer, too. I want you to go in every chance you get and
    copy the contents of her hard drive."
    Calahan nodded.
    "We need to keep a closer eye on her while she's at work. Get Rodriguez
    on a plane right away. He's going to work at the Post."
    "What does Rodriguez know about journalism?"
    "Nothing. That's not the kind of job I have in mind for him."
    Calahan looked perplexed. Elliott said, "Rodriguez grew up in the
    roughest neighborhood in Bakersfield. He speaks Spanish like a boy from
    the barrio. Take away his six-hundred-dollar suits and