the men had been friends for years and shared a commonality of thought and ambition. As the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Decker had congressional fingerprints from the CIA to the Treasury Department and lots of federal real estate in between.
They sat at a table laid out with crystal and linen napkins and a cold lunch prepared by the court chef. Kent poured out glasses of white wine for them both.
“A nice treat,” said Decker. “The Congressional Dining Room gets a little old.”
“Well, we needed to talk, so why not here, in comfort and privacy?”
Decker chuckled and lifted the wineglass to his lips. “Not worried about someone listening in on the court that authorizes people listening in?”
Kent’s features were impassive. “We need to talk, Howard.”
Decker put the glass back down and his expression became serious. “It’s about Roy West, isn’t it?”
“It’s about a lot more than that,” said Kent.
“You think Jessica Reel did all that? It looked like a war zone on the news.”
“I’ve been to war, Howard. It didn’t look anything like a war zone. They look a lot worse than that.”
Suitably put in his place, Decker sat back in his chair and licked his already chapped lips. “What do we do now?”
“Our plan hasn’t changed, has it?”
“Which plan? To get Reel? Of course not.”
“Good, just checking. I wanted to make sure we are still on the same page.”
Decker grimaced. “But what steps have you taken? It doesn’t look like this Robie person is going to get the job done.”
Kent took a sip of wine and considered this. “He may get a job done. Just not the one we want.”
“I’m not following you.”
“I have received a very detailed report of what happened out in Arkansas. A very detailed report, from the highest sources.”
“And?”
“And that level of carnage could not have been perpetrated by one person, not even someone as skilled as Jessica Reel.”
Decker sat forward. “Are you telling me that she had help?” he blustered. He paused, then added, “Robie!”
“I have no definite proof of that. But it would be a coincidence of immense proportions to believe that someone else wandered into that little drama with a skill set perfectly designed for survival against what should have been overwhelming odds.” He put his glass down and took a forkful of salmon. “And I for one do not like coincidences.”
“If Robie and Reel have teamed up...”
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you just said it had to be the two of them.”
“But that doesn’t mean they’ve teamed up, Howard.”
“What the hell else could it be? You just as good as said they killed all those men together.”
“Mutual survival does not mean you’re on the same side. I could be wrong, but it might simply be that conditions on the ground led to a temporary alliance.”
“But that’s still not good for us.”
“Of course it isn’t. But it might mean it’s manageable.”
“If Robie joins Reel?”
“Then he will be dealt with. I have people in mind for the task.”
“If it’s the same people you have going after Reel I’d say don’t bother.”
“And your alternative?”
“It’s your job to have the answers in this particular area, Sam, not me. Our division of labor was explicitly laid out. I helped get you the assets you needed. And the target. That was my job. I did it.”
Kent took a mouthful of rice and broccoli and washed it down with some water from a cut-crystal glass. “You’re right, it was. I apologize.”
Mollified, Decker sat back and started to eat.
Kent said, “I actually anticipated Reel locating West. I thought they were prepared to take care of her. I was obviously wrong. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“I would hope not.”
“I also tried to recruit someone to deal with Reel and possibly Robie, but he didn’t work out.”
“Will he be a problem?”
“I doubt it.” Kent picked up his glass of wine.
“How can you be sure?”
“Because I shot him in the head.” Kent took a sip of the wine.
Decker dropped his fork. It clanged off the china plate and fell to the floor.
“You don’t like the salmon?” asked Kent as he wiped his mouth.
His hands shaking, Decker bent down and picked up his fork. His face ashen, he said, “You shot him?”
“Well, there wasn’t a viable alternative, really. And he was an arrogant prick. Thought way too much of himself. Hell, I believe I would have shot him regardless.” Kent settled his gaze on Decker’s frightened features. “I don’t like arrogant pricks, Howard. I don’t like people who think too much of themselves.