The Project 04 - Black Harvest

the temple and blew out the side of his head in a spray of blood and bone. He flew sideways in his chair. The body sprawled against the red leather. The gun dropped from his hand.
    The others sat frozen. Hood ignored them. He stood, wiped down his pistol, placed it in Lodge's left hand and squeezed the hand around it. He took out a small plastic bag filled with black grains and blew some on Lodge's hand and sleeve, sprinkled some on his shirt.
    "A shame the DCI saw no alternative but suicide when confronted with his exposure , " Hood said.
    The instant of paralysis had passed. All three had their guns out. Hood reached under the lip of the desk and pressed the panic button. The shutters rolled back into place. Outside, a bird sounded a pleasant trill in the calm Virginia evening.
    Selena and Lamont burst into the room, guns leveled. Hood lifted his hands.
    "Please don't shoot. Director, I think we need to continue this conversation elsewhere. And I believe Major Korov would like to talk with his superior."

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

    They'd driven back to the Project in silence. Now they were in Harker's office.
    "I really need a bigger office. All right, Clarence. Out with it."
    "I apologize for the deception, Director. It was necessary. Lodge was cautious. He had to be stopped permanently. I felt that you and Major Korov needed to be sure it was over."
    "Did Rice put you up to this?"
    "Oh, no. I would never involve him in something like this."
    "Did you have Dansinger killed?"
    "I did not. But I have my suspicions. I just can't prove any of it."
    "We're listening."
    "Lodge approached me soon after he made DCI. At first, nothing firm, just sounding me out. How did I feel about the growing threat Moscow posed? Did I think some proactive measures were needed to slow them down? Would I be able to determine the true course of Russia's intentions? Like that. At first it seemed like normal things, the kinds of things we do at Langley."
    Korov remained silent, but his look spoke volumes.
    "I always felt he was holding something back. It's my job, you know. To know when people are concealing something. I went along with him. I'm not a Russophobe, but I decided that would be a good way to gain his trust. So I became his echo whenever he began ranting."
    "He ranted?"
    "Frequently. Lodge was a fanatic. He hated Russia. Then he introduced me to Dansinger. Eventually they brought me into the plot."
    "Why didn't you blow the whistle?" Elizabeth said.
    Korov looked blank for a moment.
    "Because it wasn't just Lodge and Dansinger. That is something we must pursue. I believe Dansinger was part of a larger organization and was following their agenda. I also believe they killed him because of your actions. When you attacked his compound and destroyed their stockpiles of the virus, you exposed him. I think they wanted to make sure he couldn't talk."
    "You're saying you didn't go to the President because you wanted to expose a larger plot?"
    "Exactly."
    "Was Lodge part of this organization?"
    "No. I'm sure he wasn't. But I know Dansinger promised him the White House in four years. He told him his friends could assure it."
    Nick remembered what Adam had told him in the back of that armored Cadillac.
    "Jesus," Lamont said. "Who has the power to do that?"
    "Apparently someone who doesn't believe in democracy."
    "Why Russia?"
    "It's the key. If they had succeeded, it would have been the start of a financial and military empire. Think of the strategic position. The Middle East, China, Southeast Asia, Japan, all within easy reach in the future. The oil fields in the Ukraine. Secure power in Russia under a guise of assistance, then have troops in place, then make your move."
    Korov shook his head. "It would never have worked. You do not understand Russia. We would never surrender."
    "I know that, Major. Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that. But there have been many in the past who thought otherwise. Napoleon. Hitler. No one ever seems to learn from history, when it comes to Russia. None the less, there would have been a long occupation. Good business for the war mongers and death merchants. With someone like Lodge in the White House anything could become possible."
    "What did Lucas know?" It was Stephanie.
    "Only that I was worried about an unknown organization, a potential threat. He knew I was worried about Lodge, but not why. I couldn't risk telling anyone. I'm sure Lodge was monitoring me closely."
    Steph settled back in her chair.