Hood sent an acknowledgment along with his congratulations to Aideen and María for their intelligence work. He didn't like the idea of her being out there with members of the team that had had Martha killed. Especially after having inadvertently left her and Martha open to the attack in the first place. But María was a crack agent. With her there to back Aideen-and vice versa-Hood informed Darrell to let the women make the call.

"Mr. Burkow," Manni said, "your concerns are well founded. But I believe we should wait to see whether the Spanish government can put this down themselves."

"So far, they haven't exactly instilled confidence," Burkow said. "They couldn't even keep Deputy Serrador alive long enough to interrogate him."

"Mistakes were made," Manni agreed. "Everyone was caught off guard. But we mustn't compound those mistakes."

"Paul Hood here. What do you recommend, Mr. Secretary-General?"

"My advice, Mr. Hood, is to give the prime minister another day to work things out. He has called in his military advisor on civil unrest and they're drawing up a plan to deal with all possible contingencies."

Rodgers leaned toward the phone. "Sir, this is General Mike Rodgers, Deputy Director of Op-Center. If the prime minister or his officers need any military or intelligence support, my office is prepared to offer it very, very quietly."

"Thank you. General Rodgers," said Manni. "I will certainly inform Prime Minister Aznar and General Amadori of your generous offer."

Hood was looking at Rodgers as Manni spoke. Something passed between them at the mention of Amadori's name-a rapid and unexpected deflation of spirit visible in their eyes, a moment of numb paralysis in their limbs. Hood felt like a predator who suddenly realized that his prey was much smarter, more feral, and far deadlier than he'd expected.

The paralysis passed quickly. Hood hit the mute button. "Mike-"

"I know," Rodgers said, already rising. "I'm on it."

"If it's the same man," Hood said, "they've got some very serious problems over there."

"Spain does," Rodgers said, "along with every nation that's going to want to get its people out of there in a hurry."

As Rodgers hurried from the office Hood listened, disinterested, to the political jabber between Manni, Burkow, and Lanning. They agreed about how they needed to let Spain solve this situation themselves but with a level of vocal support from the U.S. which would be heard by the feuding factions and could be ratcheted up to a military presence if necessary. A military presence that could become defensive action but that was actually offense designed at helping to preserve the legitimate government of Spain-