The Project 02 - The Lance

trained to do that people think is crazy, like jump out of airplanes for the fun of it. But I've thought about it first. It's a choice, something I've reasoned out."
    She looked down at her hands. "Today wasn't something I chose to do. Nick, I was scared. Reason has nothing to do with people like Dysart."
    "People like Dysart give reason a bad name." Nick paused. "I don't think we're so different. In the end, you did what had to be done, scared or not."
    "You don't understand what I'm saying. It seems natural for you. It's not, for me."
    Nick could feel a headache starting. Selena had just called him a natural born killer. It wasn't what he wanted to hear.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

    The President sent a clean up team. They said nothing and asked no questions. They took the bodies away. Pretty soon the media would announce that the Director of the NSA had suffered a heart attack or a fatal car accident. The need for secrecy and stability meant what really happened would never be made public.
    Rice appointed an obscure General to fill in at the agency until things could be sorted out. With the safe house compromised and Dysart dead, there seemed no point in keeping away from Project headquarters. The team moved back into town.
    They met in Harker's office. The Director had two black eyes and a broad white bandage across her nose. About all you could say for it was that it complimented her black and white outfit. Nick waited for her to start and thought about what Selena had said the night before. It bothered him.
    He'd never known a woman like her. To say they were different was a hell of an understatement. That was all right. It was the thought that killing was natural for him and not for her that got under his skin.
    Out came Harker's pen. She began tapping. "There are new developments, bad ones. First let's talk about Dysart. He's gone, but there are others. They've made a determined effort to take us out of the picture. I'm wondering if we need to keep out of sight?"
    "You think they'll keep trying?" Nick asked.
    "They might not. I've been subpoenaed to appear before the Senate Intelligence Oversight Committee, to answer questions about 'questionable and unauthorized covert operations in Argentina'. It can't be a coincidence."
    "That's Senator Greenwood. How did he find out about Argentina? What's he up to?" Carter scratched his ear.
    "There's a lot of media mileage in an investigation. Greenwood has a shot at the Presidency and an investigation could embarrass the President. That might be reason enough but I think there's more to it. I think Greenwood wants to stop what we're doing."
    "Like Dysart," said Ronnie.
    "Steph and I had an idea that whoever was behind this might be looking to profit from war in the Middle East. We've done some checking. Senator Greenwood made large trades in the last six months, moving funds into domestic gas and oil and military contractors. If there's a war he'll make a killing.
    "If Greenwood is one of the conspirators, this could be a change of tactics on their part. Knock us out with legal moves and expose the Project. He could discredit us and Rice at the same time."
    Nick said, "Greenwood is one of the powerhouses in the Senate. How high does this go, anyway?"
    " It goes damned high, almost to the top. That's the other development, bigger than Dysart. We've gained access to all of Dysart's files. You aren't going to like what we found. Steph, would you run it down, please."
    Stephanie cleared her throat. "Dysart's encrypted emails show communication with several key correspondents. There are repeated references to 'Parsifal'. We know that's Himmler's plan to subvert our government. It took a while, but I was able to back trace most of the recipients. It's a scary list. By definition, all these men are traitors."
    Lamont said, "Who's on the list, Steph?"
    "You can start with the Vice-President."
    "Earlston? You're saying the VP is part of a Nazi conspiracy?"
    She nodded. "That's what it looks like. Justice Smothers is another."
    Selena looked shocked. "Smothers? The Supreme Court?"
    "Yes. Also Admiral Lang and Senator Blackfriar."
    Ronnie sat up straight. "Lang runs Naval Intelligence."
    "Blackfriar makes or breaks the money for defense appropriations," Nick said.
    Harker said, "We still don't know who told Dysart what to do. But these others—I think we've stepped right into a snake pit. Without proof, no one will believe these men are anything but dedicated public servants. There are