go according to plan. My guess is that Mitch told the Hoffmans to make a break for it and he'd lay down a diversion.»
Kennedy nodded. «That's what I thought at first, but Mitch hasn't checked in, and I just recently received a message- from the Hoffmans. They» – Kennedy shook her head – «said the target was achieved, but an asset was lost in the process.»
«Mitch.»
With a sad, slow nod, Kennedy said, «Yes.»
«What about this third individual the BKA has on tape?»
«We haven't been able to get any further information on that.»
Stansfield sat back, a little surprised. He would have thought Irene fully capable of verifying the report through several channels. «Why?»
«There's another problem that has arisen. When I arrived at the CTC this morning, Tom Lee informed me that Secretary Midleton was looking for me.»
This caused the frail Stansfield to sit up a bit in his chair. The secretary of state had no business calling his director of counterterrorism without going through him first. «What did Mr. Midleton want?»
«It appears he and the count shared the same passion: fine art.»
Stansfield looked out the window, making the connection. He knew that the arrogant secretary of state was very proud of his private art collection. Stansfield remembered a profile that had been done by the New Yorker discussing the renaissance man's fifty-million-dollar collection. «Why would he call you?»
«The message said that he knows we had the count under observation and that any information we can give the German authorities would be greatly appreciated.»
«How would he know we had the count under surveillance?»
Kennedy shrugged at the obvious. «It would appear we have a leak.»
«Or a mole.»
«Yes.»
«Any ideas?»
«Not at the moment, but Tom Lee was as disturbed by it as me. He said he was going to look into it.»
«Can you trust Mr. Lee?» asked an always cautious Stansfield.
«I think so, but I will, of course, do some checking on my own.»
«Good. Have you told the president about Mitch?»
«No. I'd like to know exactly what's going on first.»
«I agree. I assume you haven't used our contacts at the BKA because you don't want to draw any more attention to the CTC.»
«Yes. I'm trying to collect as much passive information as possible. The NSA is keeping us busy with intercepts. So far, our plan is working. Most of the people in the CTC think Saddam had Hagenmiller killed. A couple even think the Israelis may have done it. The Hagenmillers were Nazis during World War Two, and they were selling very sensitive equipment to one of Israel 's most dangerous enemies. There was plenty of motive. I think some of my more streetwise people might suspect that we had a hand in it, but they're not saying anything, nor Will they.» Kennedy frowned. «If people find out that we had him under surveillance, it won't look good.»
«I agree. I will take care of Secretary Midleton. How are you going to find out about Mitch?»
«The Hoffinans are due back in the States this evening. I'm going to fly to Denver and debrief them personally.»
«Who are you bringing?»
«No one. I've dealt with them before. I can handle it myself.»
Stansfield gave her a look of admonishment. Kennedy had very limited field experience.
Kennedy read her boss's expression and said defensively, «This is my mess, and I'll be the one to clean it up. Besides, the fewer people we get involved, the better.»
Stansfield shook his head. «The last thing you need right now is to leave town and draw attention to yourself. Besides, contract agents like the Hoffinans tend to get a little jumpy when an operation goes badly. I will send some people to take care of it.»
Kennedy conceded the point. «What would you like me: to do?»
Stansfield thought about it for a moment. «Hope that the Hoffinans are wrong and Mitch is alive.» Stansfield saw by Kennedy's expression that his words didn't have their intended effect. «Don't worry about Mitch.
Kennedy nodded. «That's what I thought at first, but Mitch hasn't checked in, and I just recently received a message- from the Hoffmans. They» – Kennedy shook her head – «said the target was achieved, but an asset was lost in the process.»
«Mitch.»
With a sad, slow nod, Kennedy said, «Yes.»
«What about this third individual the BKA has on tape?»
«We haven't been able to get any further information on that.»
Stansfield sat back, a little surprised. He would have thought Irene fully capable of verifying the report through several channels. «Why?»
«There's another problem that has arisen. When I arrived at the CTC this morning, Tom Lee informed me that Secretary Midleton was looking for me.»
This caused the frail Stansfield to sit up a bit in his chair. The secretary of state had no business calling his director of counterterrorism without going through him first. «What did Mr. Midleton want?»
«It appears he and the count shared the same passion: fine art.»
Stansfield looked out the window, making the connection. He knew that the arrogant secretary of state was very proud of his private art collection. Stansfield remembered a profile that had been done by the New Yorker discussing the renaissance man's fifty-million-dollar collection. «Why would he call you?»
«The message said that he knows we had the count under observation and that any information we can give the German authorities would be greatly appreciated.»
«How would he know we had the count under surveillance?»
Kennedy shrugged at the obvious. «It would appear we have a leak.»
«Or a mole.»
«Yes.»
«Any ideas?»
«Not at the moment, but Tom Lee was as disturbed by it as me. He said he was going to look into it.»
«Can you trust Mr. Lee?» asked an always cautious Stansfield.
«I think so, but I will, of course, do some checking on my own.»
«Good. Have you told the president about Mitch?»
«No. I'd like to know exactly what's going on first.»
«I agree. I assume you haven't used our contacts at the BKA because you don't want to draw any more attention to the CTC.»
«Yes. I'm trying to collect as much passive information as possible. The NSA is keeping us busy with intercepts. So far, our plan is working. Most of the people in the CTC think Saddam had Hagenmiller killed. A couple even think the Israelis may have done it. The Hagenmillers were Nazis during World War Two, and they were selling very sensitive equipment to one of Israel 's most dangerous enemies. There was plenty of motive. I think some of my more streetwise people might suspect that we had a hand in it, but they're not saying anything, nor Will they.» Kennedy frowned. «If people find out that we had him under surveillance, it won't look good.»
«I agree. I will take care of Secretary Midleton. How are you going to find out about Mitch?»
«The Hoffinans are due back in the States this evening. I'm going to fly to Denver and debrief them personally.»
«Who are you bringing?»
«No one. I've dealt with them before. I can handle it myself.»
Stansfield gave her a look of admonishment. Kennedy had very limited field experience.
Kennedy read her boss's expression and said defensively, «This is my mess, and I'll be the one to clean it up. Besides, the fewer people we get involved, the better.»
Stansfield shook his head. «The last thing you need right now is to leave town and draw attention to yourself. Besides, contract agents like the Hoffinans tend to get a little jumpy when an operation goes badly. I will send some people to take care of it.»
Kennedy conceded the point. «What would you like me: to do?»
Stansfield thought about it for a moment. «Hope that the Hoffinans are wrong and Mitch is alive.» Stansfield saw by Kennedy's expression that his words didn't have their intended effect. «Don't worry about Mitch.
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