Call to Treason by Tom Clancy, Steve Pieczenik, Jeff Rovin Page B

media attention will be at a saturation peak," Hood said.
        "I know. The good news is, public attention got us more money after the North Korean incident," McCaskey said.
        "That was a very different time, when Congress regarded the old institutions as tired, not blue-chip solid," Hood said. "This is going to be a big, public investigation. If Op-Center is on the news every night, the CIOC may see that as a ploy for fund retrocession."
        "Please. The CIOC can't be that naive."
        "Not naive, Darrell. Suspicious."
        "Of what? They know we have to help other agencies if we want their assistance," McCaskey said.
        "You're assuming that we're supposed to survive," Hood said. "The CIOC and our older brothers may have other plans."
        "Staggered dismantling," McCaskey said.
        "It's possible," Hood said.
        "Okay," McCaskey said. "Assume the other agencies are leaning on the CIOC to cut us back "
        "I don't have to assume that," Hood told him. "They are. Senator Debenport told me."
        "In that case, we should not get locked into a siege mentality,"
        McCaskey said. "We should lean back, put our assets in peoples' faces.
        Senator Debenport will probably be thrilled to take a corner of the spotlight. What politician wouldn't want to be seen as a crusading crime buster?"
        "He'll say "Cheese' and maximize the benefits of that exposure," Hood agreed. "And when the lights go off, he'll turn to me and say prodded hard by the other agencies that there is obviously too much fat on Op-Center's bones. He may ask for additional reductions."
        "The electorate wouldn't stand for that, especially if we're working on a high-profile case."
        "The voters might surprise you," Hood said. "They want to know that government agencies are doing their jobs. Our job is crisis management. Finding the killer is a Metropolitan Police matter, not a hostage situation or terrorist threat. Voters also don't like it when the rich get special attention. Finding the killer of a European multi billionaire who was trying to take money from American banks, and jobs from our shores, is not as important as making sure landmarks and airports are secure."
        "I can't believe our society has gotten that self-absorbed," McCaskey said. "I refuse to believe it."
        "Oh, we have," Hood assured him. "We once saw endless possibility and opportunity in all directions except down. That was the American definition of beauty. Do you know what happens to the narcissist who stops feeling beautiful?"
        "Yeah. He gets botox treatments."
        "No," Hood said. "He gets scared that he's going to lose everything else."
        "He does that, or America does that?"
        "Both, I suppose," Hood replied.
        McCaskey looked a little sad. Hood did not like where this was going.
        The next visit would be from Liz Gordon, who would chat and probe and try to determine if he were acting out.
        Maybe with good reason, Hood thought. "Darrell, look. I'm not asking you to have a seat in my bunker."
        "I know that, Paul "
        "My personal concerns don't change the fact that the threat to Op-Center is real," Hood went on. "We lost a fifth of our budget today. We can't ignore the possibility that there will be additional cuts."
        "I agree."
        "At the same time, we have to do what we can to help our colleagues,"
        Hood continued. "All I want you to do is fly as far under the radar as possible."
        "In D.C.?"
        "I know," Hood said with resignation. "Just be careful. If your name gets attached to this, I don't want any interviews. Make sure your Yard contact understands the low-profile agenda, and maintain minimal C and C with your colleagues at the Bureau."
        C and C was contact and collaboration. It described the friendly enemy status of relations between rival domestic law enforcement and intelligence