"I've got visuals on María and Luis," Herbert said. He pulled back so he could see the entire courtyard. "I've also got about thirty soldiers getting ready to do something."

Rodgers updated Burkow and Abril. As he did, Lowell Coffey went to the coffee machine and poured a cup.

"Paul," Coffey said, "if Amadori's dead, those soldiers may not kill our people or anyone else. They'll hold them as hostages. Use them to bargain their way to some kind of amnesty."

"And they'll probably get it, too," Plummer pointed out. "Whoever ends up running the country won't want to further alienate the ethnic supporters these people may have."

"So if the authorities don't attack," Coffey went on, "we'll probably get everyone out in time-including Darrell. The soldiers don't gain anything by killing them."

"Except McCaskey," Herbert pointed out. "Colonel August is right. If the soldiers in the compound find out that he's the one who killed Amadori, they're going to want his blood. Bad."

"How will they know he killed the general?" Coffey asked.

"The security cameras," Herbert said. He brought up the map of the palace. "Look where he is."

Coffey and Plummer gathered around the computer. Rodgers was still on the telephone with Burkow and the Spanish ambassador.

"There are cameras at both ends of the corridor," Herbert said. "Darrell may have been taped. When they find the general dead, his soldiers may take the time to watch and see who did it."

"Any chance of erasing the tape with some kind of electronic interference?" Coffey asked.

"A low-flying aircraft with a directed electromagnetic burst could do it," Herbert said, "but it would take time."

Rodgers hit the mute button and stood. "Gentlemen," he said, "it's unlikely we'll be able to do anything in time."

"Explain," Hood said. "Interpol informed the prime minister of Striker's success," Rodgers said. "The ambassador has just informed me that they want to move the police in now, before the rebel forces have a chance to regroup."

Herbert swore.

"What are their orders if the soldiers take hostages?" Hood asked.

Rodgers shook his head. "There aren't going to be any hostages," Rodgers said. "The Spanish government doesn't want to give the rebels-which is how they're describing them-a forum that will keep them center stage."

"Can't blame them for that," Herbert said.

"I can when one of my people is still in the compound," Hood said angrily. "We did a goddamn job for them-"

"And now they're marching down the road we paved for them," Rodgers said, "acting in the best interests of their nation. The job we were asked to do by the President of the United States was to help give Spain back to its elected officials. There weren't any guarantees, Paul, about how those officials were going to behave afterward."