Ballon was silent for a moment. He still didn't trust this man entirely. "Your information is interesting but not very useful," he said. "I need evidence. I need to find out what's going on inside his fortress."

Rodgers said eagerly, "If that's the problem, I can help. I was calling, Colonel Ballon, to offer you the assistance of a NATO commander in Italy. His name is Colonel Brett August, and his speciality is--"

"I have read white papers by Colonel August," said Ballon. "He is a brilliant counterterrorist operative."

"And a lifelong friend of mine," said Rodgers. "He'll assist you if I ask him. But I also have equipment in Germany which I'll lend to you."

"What kind of equipment?" Ballon asked. He was getting suspicious again. This man seemed like too much of a good thing. A good thing he wouldn't be able to resist. A good thing who might be taking his marching orders from Dominique. A good thing which might end in an ambush.

"It's a new kind of X-ray device," Rodgers said. "One with which my operator can probably work some near-miracles."

"A new kind of X-ray," Ballon said dubiously. "That isn't going to help. I don't need to know where people are--"

"It might be able to read papers for you," Rodgers said. "Or lips."

Ballon was attentive but still wary. "General Michael Rodgers," he said. "How do I know you're not working with Dominique?"

Rodgers said, "Because we also know about a pair of murders he committed twenty-five years ago. We know about them because we know the person who was with him at the time. I can tell you nothing more-- except that I want Dominique brought to justice."

Ballon looked at his men, who were all looking at him. "Watch the monitors!" he yelled.

They did. Ballon was dying to get out of there and into action.

"All right," said the Colonel. "How do I get in touch with this miracle worker of yours?"

Rodgers said, "Stay where you are. I'll have him phone you there."

Ballon agreed and hung up. Then he told Ste. Marie to take three men outside and watch the building. If it looked as though anyone was staking them out or closing in on them, they were to radio him at once.

But Ballon had a feeling in his gut that General Rodgers was one of the good men, just as he'd had a feeling in his gut about Dominique being one of the bad men.

I only hope my gut is not getting soft, he said as Ste. Marie and the men left and he continued to stand by the telephone.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Thursday, 9:34 A.M.,

Studio City, California