“I wanted to make clear that the situation that has arisen is truly under control.”
Mahmud gave him a piercing look in the mirror. “That is good to hear. It was unfortunate, very unfortunate. How exactly did it happen?”
“We believe we’ve pieced together the sequence of events. It was a chain that should have been broken at numerous points along the line, but unfortunately was not. An inadvertent glimpse at a laptop screen on a flight back from Dubai started Diane Tolliver down the road that would eventually lead to her termination. From there she became ever more curious, comparing documents, making inquiries, and gathering information. Fortunately, she made the mistake of trusting someone. That’s how we became aware of the issue.”
“A close call, then.”
“The blame lies entirely on our side. But I didn’t want you to think that it would linger. Or that it will disrupt what we are trying to do. It will not. I give you my word.”
“Your word means a great deal. You too have sacrificed much for your country.”
“It was my honor and privilege.”
“I have stopped thinking about such things.”
“That saddens me.”
“It is actually uplifting to me.”
“The money, yes. I can see that. But we are doing the right thing too. It’s what we all want. My country in particular.”
“If it was what your leaders wanted, my friend, you and the director would not be doing all of this on your own.”
“We’re not alone, I can assure you. However, sometimes the leadership is unwilling on the record to take the steps necessary to achieve essential goals. But they would not begrudge us the opportunity to employ sufficient if unpopular methods.”
“Right. The less they know the better.”
“I would not put it exactly that way.”
“You talk of course about violent death; the execution of your own people if it jeopardizes those goals. Americans have always been reluctant in that regard. Frankly, I have always seen that as a weakness.”
“We are a civilized people, Mahmud.”
“Well, perhaps one day my people will be as unfamiliar with violent death as your people are, Jarvis. What a great thing that will be.”
“I hope to live to see that day.”
“I would have to say that your chances of doing so are far better than mine.”
“I hope you are wrong there.”
“Even if I’m not, so what? There will be others to take my place. For a people so certain that there will be an afterlife of paradise, you Americans value life too much. None of us are irreplaceable. Even if bin Laden dies, there will be others. That is the way the world works. That is what keeps you gainfully employed, correct?”
“I would happily retire if there would be no more bin Ladens, Mahmud.”
“Then you will never retire, my friend. If you require us to assist in ‘cleaning up’ this problem you will let me know?”
“I think I have the right people for the job.”
“So many have said and yet been wrong.” There was an edge to the Palestinian’s words that caused Burns to draw his gaze from the mirror where he’d been watching the man’s eyes and instead look out the window.
“I understand that your people have to survive. By any means possible.”
“They have nothing. This way they have something. The money cannot stop now. They have grown used to it. If you don’t pay, others will. Your leaders are very shortsighted in that regard. That is why we’ve had to go this route. Cash trumps all.”
“It won’t stop. I guarantee it.”
“That is good, because they do not love your country. But they can be bought. Anyone can be bought, it seems.” He paused and added bluntly, “Even me.”
“Enemies closer.”
“Allow no one to ever convince you otherwise.”
A few minutes later Burns left the cab and climbed into the back-seat of a waiting Town Car and turned to the woman sitting next to him. Mary Bard had discarded the jumpsuit and was dressed in much the same way as she had been when disposing of Karl Reiger and Don Hope.
“I appreciate your professionalism,” Burns said. “In a difficult assignment.”
Bard shrugged. “One assignment is much like another assignment. They vary only in degrees of complexity.”
“Moral as well as logistical?”
“I leave the moral debate to others. The logistical side is quite enough for me.”
“I can provide fresh orders for you if you require them,” Burns said, testing her.
“I have my orders. Your director has told me to assist you and only you in any