JК
The Third Option :: Flynn Vince
Страница: 259 из 267It was highly unusual, to say the least,that they would risk bringing someone with his past inside Langley. Kennedy returned his look of disbelief with a rare smile. «Are you sure about this?» he asked.
«Yes,» Kennedy answered. «You're too valuable and too young to retire.»
Rapp looked back down at the heavy file and shook his head. He really didn't know where to start. The thought of staying connected to the battle was very intriguing, but going inside Langley to suffer the nine-to-five grind was something that he was not so sure he would like. The place was famous for its bureaucratic BS.
«Mitchell,» started Stansfield, «there's something I think you need to know. I'm afraid you weren't the ultimate target in Germany.»
In light of the fact that Rapp had two baseball-size bruises on his chest he found the statement to be slightly irritating. «No offense, Thomas, but I'm the only person in this room who's been shot this week.»
«I didn't say someone didn't want you dead. I said you weren't the ultimate target. Your body was meant to be found next to Count Hagenmiller's. It was meant to embarrass the president, and I think, ultimately, it was meant to ruin Irene's career.»
The president's demeanor changed instantly. This was the first he'd heard of this. «What are you trying to say, Thomas?»
«This was not started by the Iraqis or anyone else. This was initiated by someone here in Washington. Someone who doesn't want to see Irene become the next director of the CIA and someone who quite possibly would like to see your administration toppled, Mr. President.»
«Do you have some information that you have yet to share with me?»
«No, I don't, Mr. President. Everything I know I have already told you. I have come to some conclusions over the last twenty-four hours that I think point to some big problems.»
«Please explain.»
«This was not a personal vendetta carried out against Mitchell by the Jansens or someone who hired them to kill him. If that was the case, they would have simply shot him while they were alone in the cabin and been done with him. Instead, they waited until Mitchell took care of the count, and then they made their move. The only conclusion that can be reached is that they wanted Mitchell's body found next to the count holding in his hand the gun that fired the bullet that killed the count.»
«But we still had deniability,» replied the president. «There is nothing that can officially link Mitch to the CIA or my administration.
«Yes,» Kennedy answered. «You're too valuable and too young to retire.»
Rapp looked back down at the heavy file and shook his head. He really didn't know where to start. The thought of staying connected to the battle was very intriguing, but going inside Langley to suffer the nine-to-five grind was something that he was not so sure he would like. The place was famous for its bureaucratic BS.
«Mitchell,» started Stansfield, «there's something I think you need to know. I'm afraid you weren't the ultimate target in Germany.»
In light of the fact that Rapp had two baseball-size bruises on his chest he found the statement to be slightly irritating. «No offense, Thomas, but I'm the only person in this room who's been shot this week.»
«I didn't say someone didn't want you dead. I said you weren't the ultimate target. Your body was meant to be found next to Count Hagenmiller's. It was meant to embarrass the president, and I think, ultimately, it was meant to ruin Irene's career.»
The president's demeanor changed instantly. This was the first he'd heard of this. «What are you trying to say, Thomas?»
«This was not started by the Iraqis or anyone else. This was initiated by someone here in Washington. Someone who doesn't want to see Irene become the next director of the CIA and someone who quite possibly would like to see your administration toppled, Mr. President.»
«Do you have some information that you have yet to share with me?»
«No, I don't, Mr. President. Everything I know I have already told you. I have come to some conclusions over the last twenty-four hours that I think point to some big problems.»
«Please explain.»
«This was not a personal vendetta carried out against Mitchell by the Jansens or someone who hired them to kill him. If that was the case, they would have simply shot him while they were alone in the cabin and been done with him. Instead, they waited until Mitchell took care of the count, and then they made their move. The only conclusion that can be reached is that they wanted Mitchell's body found next to the count holding in his hand the gun that fired the bullet that killed the count.»
«But we still had deniability,» replied the president. «There is nothing that can officially link Mitch to the CIA or my administration.