"Yes," Manni said, "I am aware of this. Ostensibly, the force is there to defend and evacuate American tourists in the wake of the killing."

"Ostensibly," Burkow agreed.

"Has the President made a decision?"

"Not yet," said Burkow, "but he's leaning toward it. He's waiting for intelligence to determine whether American interests are, in fact, in danger. Paul? Marius? Do either of you have anything to say about that?"

Being the senior official. Hood answered first. "Except for the attack against Martha-or perhaps because of it-there have been no reports of additional hostilities against American tourists," he said. "Nor do we expect there to be. The people of Spain will be extremely sensitive about straining relations further. Besides, whatever the region, Spain's economy depends upon tourism. It's very unlikely that they'll want to do anything to jeopardize that. As for additional political attacks against Americans, we all know that Martha was assassinated because she worked for Op-Center. We believe that she was murdered as a singular warning to the United States not to do exactly what we're discussing: become involved in Spanish politics. As long as we keep our distance, politically and militarily, we don't expect any more such attacks."

"Paul's on the money about the tourist situation," Marius said. "We've been very carefully monitoring the actions of the Spanish police and military. They respond very quickly to put down violence in popular tourist centers. Of course," he added, "that may change if the conflict takes on a life of its own or if the police are provoked the way they were at the Traitor's Gate."

"Which," Burkow interrupted, "is the heart of the matter. It's the reason the President is considering sending troops. There's a point in every internal conflict when protest becomes open warfare. When emotion takes over from common sense. When expectations change from 'I want to preserve my economy' to 'I want to preserve my life.' When that happens--

"If it happens," Manni pointed out.

"Fine," Burkow said. "If it happens, tourists-American and otherwise-will have no one looking out for them."

As Burkow was speaking. Hood received a secure e-mail message from McCaskey. He motioned Rodgers over as it came through. They read it together.

Paul, it read. Field Ops report Basque yacht bomber murdered by Catalonian team. FOs going to talk to hit squad. Assessment: motive was revenge, not politics. I've warned FOs that one of them may still be in danger if she's recognised as survivor of the MM situation. She doesn't think these people are carrying on that agenda. I'm inclined to agree that circumstances have changed. Inform if you want her recalled.

The yacht bomber apparently was backed by army general named Amadori. Checking on him now. Not surprisingly, local NATO files on the general appear to have been purged.