“I want Rapp’s team out of there,” Cook said. “It’s been a week with no word from Chism or any of his people. Rapp’s too valuable to be chasing a dead man through the jungle.”

The concern for Rapp’s safety seemed overblown. Certainly, he’d survived much more dangerous missions than this one. Was it just ego? The fact that Cook felt as though he’d been defied? Was he concerned that the soldiers he’d sent would fail and a group of mercenaries would succeed? That seemed plausible—Anthony Cook was not a man who liked to appear weak—but still unlikely. He’d have figured out that he could plausibly blame the failure on Coleman’s team’s interference or just take credit for their success.

She was convinced that there was something she was missing. Something that was right in front of her that she was blind to. Maybe it would be worth pushing a little to see if Cook would provide a clue.

“Nick seems to have a lot of faith in David Chism’s resourcefulness and there’s no question that he’s operated in difficult environments in the past. The truth is that hiding in terrain that dense wouldn’t be all that difficult and there’s plenty of food and wat—”

“Enough!” the president said, cutting her off. “These aren’t Japanese soldiers who don’t know World War II ended. They’re three academics, one of whom is in his sixties. They’re not living in a hole, drinking rainwater, and snaring rodents. They’re dead, Irene. And Mitch and his people will be, too, if they get ambushed by Auma’s psychopaths or go down in some cobbled-together Ugandan helicopter. And then America’s lost the point of its spear. Pull them out. Now.”

Again, Nash tried to reduce the temperature of the room. “We’ll do what we can, Mr. President. But if SEAL Demolition and Salvage has signed a contract with Ward, it’s unlikely Scott’s going to walk away. He lives and dies by his reputation and leaving the richest man in the world hanging isn’t going to do much for it. Mitch is basically the same story. If Scott’s asked for his help and he’s agreed, he’s going to take that seriously.”

“More seriously than America’s national security?” Cook said, picking up the document he’d been reading earlier. “This isn’t up for discussion. I’m giving you an order. Get them out of there. Now.”

11

SOUTHWESTERN UGANDA

“SO, there’s no way we can get in touch with the US team you think is on the ground? They must have some kind of communications. Even if it’s a personal satphone.”