“She went back to the hospital for another look at the sampan wreckage,” Jelbart said. “She will be joining us presently.”

“I see,” Herbert said. “Do you know if she was looking for something in particular?”

“She did not say,” Jelbart replied.

“Forgive me, Mr. Herbert, but we need to move this along,” Ellsworth said. “There are several ministers and one prime minister waiting for the outcome of our session. Warrant Officer Jelbart and I have been authorized to plan and execute a strategy for locating the missing radioactive material, as well as to gather evidence that will identify and help prosecute those who were involved in the removal and trade of said material. For obvious reasons, this strategy must be developed as quickly as possible. We are anxious for your input.”

Herbert looked at Ellsworth. “I think I followed that,” the intelligence chief said. He took a bite of sandwich. “There are two effective ways of doing this. One way is to set up a sting. We pose as men in the market for hot grease.”

“Hot grease?” Ellsworth said.

“Fissionable material,” Herbert said. “The stuff that makes things pop and burn.”

“Jesus lord,” Ellsworth said.

“We try to lighten up Armageddon to keep from being chronically depressed,” Herbert admitted. “Anyway, the problem with that option is it would take weeks to set up a credible front. We don’t have that kind of time. So I’m going to suggest a quicker, less orthodox plan.”

“And that is?” Ellsworth asked impatiently.

“We smoke the bastards out,” he replied.

FORTY - Darwin, Australia Saturday, 12:31 P.M.

FORTY

Darwin, Australia Saturday, 12:31 P.M.

Monica Loh stood in the hospital room, behind the lead shield, looking in. The door was shut behind her. The odor was different than the last time Loh had been there. It was musky, much less antiseptic. That was not surprising, given that the patient had been lying here since his arrival two days before. He was catheterized and taking only liquid nourishment, so there was little for nurses to do other than change his position every six hours.

The sailor was still unconscious. According to the doctor, part of that was the result of the explosion and part of it was due to the painkillers and sedatives being delivered intravenously.

Loh had asked the physician if the patient would be at all communicative without the drugs.

“He would not be talking,” the doctor replied. “He would be moaning. Loudly. The burns he received are quite severe.”