JК
The Third Option :: Flynn Vince
Страница: 262 из 267The important thing now that he'd gotten him to recognize the problem was to calm him. «Sir, there is no shortage of people in Washington who would love to destroy me. The only thing that has kept them from doing so is the knowledge that I know their secrets. Those secrets will be passed on to Irene, and I will instruct her and Mitchell how to use them if the need should arise.» Stansfield turned toward Rapp. «We need you.» The director placed his hand on the newly created personnel file. «This will give you the freedom to live a relatively normal life. You will no longer have to lie to people about where you work. It is my greatest hope that you will take this job. Yes, you have already given enough, and I will never be able to express how grateful I am that you have made the sacrifices you have. When you are confronted with your dark past, Mitchell, you must take comfort in the fact that in the end, you saved far more lives than you took. You are still needed, and I'm not embarrassed in the slightest to ask for your further sacrifice. A man of your talents should not waste them in the corporate arena. You can still make a difference. And the place to make it is in the Counterterrorism Center. I need you there. I need you to watch Irene's back, and I need you to help find the mole.» Stansfield paused and looked in admiration at the strong face of Rapp. «If you need some time to think about it, I understand, but please don't take too long.» Stansfield smiled. «I'd like to go to my grave with the comfort that you are standing guard.»
Rapp couldn't help but grin. It was the first time he'd ever seen the old spy smile. Reaching out, he grabbed Stansfield's chilled hand. Rapp didn't need any time to think it over. There was no way he could say no to Stansfield. He had far too much respect for the man even to consider turning down the offer. «Thomas, thank you for this.» Rapp held up the file. «I will gladly accept your offer.»
«Good.» There was a knock on the door. A second later, the door opened. and Special Agent Warch entered the room with a troubled look on his face. The president spun around in his chair and looked up at the man who was in charge of his safety.
«What is it, Jack?»
«Mr. President, I'm afraid I have some bad news. I just received a call from the head of Secretary Midleton's detail.» Warch hesitated for a moment, not sure how to continue. «The secretary was just found dead in his home. It appears it was a suicide, sir.»
THE FIRE CRACKLED and popped as red-hot embers jumped from the logs. Hank Clark watched with a relaxed intensity from his favorite chair. All of the lights were off in the study.
Rapp couldn't help but grin. It was the first time he'd ever seen the old spy smile. Reaching out, he grabbed Stansfield's chilled hand. Rapp didn't need any time to think it over. There was no way he could say no to Stansfield. He had far too much respect for the man even to consider turning down the offer. «Thomas, thank you for this.» Rapp held up the file. «I will gladly accept your offer.»
«Good.» There was a knock on the door. A second later, the door opened. and Special Agent Warch entered the room with a troubled look on his face. The president spun around in his chair and looked up at the man who was in charge of his safety.
«What is it, Jack?»
«Mr. President, I'm afraid I have some bad news. I just received a call from the head of Secretary Midleton's detail.» Warch hesitated for a moment, not sure how to continue. «The secretary was just found dead in his home. It appears it was a suicide, sir.»
THE FIRE CRACKLED and popped as red-hot embers jumped from the logs. Hank Clark watched with a relaxed intensity from his favorite chair. All of the lights were off in the study.