The ambassador informed Washington that the Spanish prime minister and King had relieved General Amadori of his command. His forces were being turned over to General García Somoza, who was being flown in from Barcelona. In the meantime, the local police forces-which included the elite Guardia Real from the Palacio de la Zarzuela-were being organized for a counterattack to take back the palace.

Hood took the Striker call at once, patched through from Interpol headquarters. He put it on the speaker. The radio silence had been nerve-wracking, especially since the spotters and satellite reconnaissance had reported shots and tear gas from different parts of the palace compound. He was also afraid the police would move in before Striker could move out.

"Home run," August said as soon as Hood was on. "We're out of the dugout and back in the street.

"There were smiles around the room and fists raised in triumph. Rodgers informed Burkow and Ambassador Abril.

"Excellent," Hood said enthusiastically. Since Striker was out in the open, August would be forced to give his report in the baseball code they'd arranged. "Injuries?"

"A minor sprain," said August. "But we have a problem. The coach went in to get his lady. The lady's boss went with him. The coach is all right but the others are hurt. They should really see a doctor."

"Understood," Hood said. McCaskey was the coach. August was telling him that he and Luis had gone in to get María and that the condition of Luis and María was possibly life-threatening.

"One more thing," August said. "When we tried to pick off their ace player we got caught in a pickle. Coach was the one who ended up nailing him."

Hood and Rodgers exchanged looks. McCaskey was the one who had ended up getting to Amadori. That hadn't been the game plan. But if there was one thing Hood had discovered about his team-Herbert, Rodgers, and McCaskey in particular-they were very good at improvising.

"It's our feeling," August continued, "that the coach probably shouldn't stay in the stadium for any length of time. We don't really want the other team talking to him. Do you want us to try and get them out?"

"Negative," Hood said. Good as Striker was, he refused to send them back in without a rest-especially with a police force getting ready to move in. "Where are the coach and his people?"

"The coach is by the doorway at B1," August said. "The lady and boss are in seats V5, one and three."

"Very good," Hood said. "You did your job, slugger. Now go home. We'll talk when you get there."

Herbert had rolled his chair to the computer and punched in the map coordinates August had provided. He asked the computer for a satellite update of the spot. Stephen Viens had linked them directly to the NRO download and it came up in fifteen seconds.