Heart Strike by David Bishop

Author:David Bishop [Bishop, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 33

At eight the next morning, Ryan met with CIA agents Billy Dillinger and Clyde Blackstone at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.

Dillinger got right to it. “French media is still reporting Benoit as having been abducted. Shouldn’t we tell French intelligence he came to us for asylum?”

By the time Dillinger stopped talking, Blackstone was nodding in agreement.

Ryan shook his head. “Not yet.”

“Look, Testler, you not formally being CIA, at least not on the books, you may not give a shit, but this agency has to work with the French as well as the intelligence operatives of our other allies. They aren’t going to appreciate us leaving them to burn up assets chasing their tails just because you don’t think it’s time, not yet.”

“Okay, fellas, it’s on the table. I get your point, but the French have leaks in their intelligence.”

“Unfortunately,” Dillinger crossed his arms. “We all do.”

“That’s why we don’t tell the French or the intelligence apparatus of any other country. For that matter, we’re even keeping it close to the vest here with our own people. Our priority must be to stop a terrorist attack in America, not play nice with the kids next door. We’ll do that later. If the terrorists get wind we’ve got Benoit, they’ll change the elements of their mission that Benoit might know. At that point, Benoit becomes no help in stopping the act.”

Blackstone ran the back of his right hand down the whisker stubble on his left cheek. “The terrorists know what everyone knows: Benoit is missing. Isn’t it possible, if not likely, they’ll change some elements of their plan just in case?”

“Definitely. We can’t control that. What we can control is whether or not we alert them to a clear need to make changes.”

Dillinger came back with, “I still don’t like it.”

“It’s not necessary that you like it.”

“Maybe you’d prefer agents on your team who are more agreeable to your views.”

“Nope. You’re the guys I got. I’m satisfied. The issue is whether or not you two are. You have one of the two qualities I most desire on my team. You speak your mind.”

Blackstone paused before looking at Testler. “You said two. Okay, we speak up, but what’s the other one?”

“When you have opposing views and I’ve heard your arguments and made a decision, if you still disagree, can you swallow your opposition and follow orders?”

Dillinger took out a piece of gum, unwrapped it, and put it in his mouth. He offered the pack to Blackstone who shook him off. Testler did the same.

“Look, when this is over I’ll buy the drinks until they’re leaking out around our toes. Until then, you’re free to challenge me and my thinking whenever we’re in session, like now, but never when we’re in motion. At that point, it’s your job to get behind the wheel and push in the direction I’ve chosen. Can you do that?”

Dillinger quickly nodded. Blackstone delayed his response, then joined Dillinger.

Ryan stepped toward each man and gripped his hand. “Anything else?”

The two agents shook their heads.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.