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Back Strategic Moves Save as PDF
Chapters (66)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Dedication
  4. ONE
  5. TWO
  6. THREE
  7. FOUR
  8. FIVE
  9. SIX
  10. SEVEN
  11. EIGHT
  12. NINE
  13. TEN
  14. ELEVEN
  15. TWELVE
  16. THIRTEEN
  17. FOURTEEN
  18. FIFTEEN
  19. SIXTEEN
  20. SEVENTEEN
  21. EIGHTEEN
  22. NINETEEN
  23. TWENTY
  24. TWENTY-ONE
  25. TWENTY-TWO
  26. TWENTY-THREE
  27. TWENTY-FOUR
  28. TWENTY-FIVE
  29. TWENTY-SIX
  30. TWENTY-SEVEN
  31. TWENTY-EIGHT
  32. TWENTY-NINE
  33. THIRTY
  34. THIRTY-ONE
  35. THIRTY-TWO
  36. THIRTY-THREE
  37. THIRTY-FOUR
  38. THIRTY-FIVE
  39. THIRTY-SIX
  40. THIRTY-SEVEN
  41. THIRTY-EIGHT
  42. THIRTY-NINE
  43. FORTY
  44. FORTY-ONE
  45. FORTY-TWO
  46. FORTY-THREE
  47. FORTY-FOUR
  48. FORTY-FIVE
  49. FORTY-SIX
  50. FORTY-SEVEN
  51. FORTY-EIGHT
  52. FORTY-NINE
  53. FIFTY
  54. FIFTY-ONE
  55. FIFTY-TWO
  56. FIFTY-THREE
  57. FIFTY-FOUR
  58. FIFTY-FIVE
  59. FIFTY-SIX
  60. FIFTY-SEVEN
  61. FIFTY-EIGHT
  62. FIFTY-NINE
  63. SIXTY
  64. SIXTY-ONE
  65. Acknowledgements
  66. AUTHOR’S NOTE

“I had already learned of my acquittal in New York, which came later in the same day I departed, so through my tax attorney in New York, I contacted the Internal Revenue Service and negotiated a settlement for any past taxes due and a declaration that I was no longer in violation of United States tax law.” Pablo took a document from his pocket and handed it to Lance. “Here is a copy of that document, signed by the director of Internal Revenue at that time.”

Lance read the document aloud for the benefit of the taping system. “And so you were made clean under U.S. law?”

“Yes,” Pablo replied, “and I have remained so.” He smiled slightly. “Although I recognize that I may have a traffic violation to deal with in the State of New York with regard to my operation of an automobile there.”

Stone allowed himself a chuckle, while everyone else looked uncomfortable. He began to relax; Pablo was doing just fine.

FORTY-ONE

FORTY-ONE

Stone listened, entranced, as Pablo related more than thirty instances of arms sales abroad, giving dates, places, and names of buyers—all without using notes. The CIA team hardly spoke, just made furious notes.

At five o’clock, Stone held up a hand. “It’s five o’clock, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “We will adjourn and reconvene at nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

Lance glanced through his notes. “All right, we will do so, as previously agreed.” He and his party got up and left the house, followed by the recording technicians carrying luggage with the tapes inside.

Stone showed Pablo to his library, fixed them both a drink, and sat down. “That went very, very well,” he said to Pablo. “You were right; you have a remarkable memory.”

“It’s more a gift than an acquired skill,” Pablo said.

“More of the same tomorrow?”

“Yes, I think so,” Pablo replied. He stared into his drink, then tapped his ear.

Stone produced Cantor’s device and pressed the button.

“I have a concern,” Pablo said.

“How can I help?” Stone asked.

“I don’t know that you can. This morning I walked the distance from my apartment to this house. Halfway here I became aware of a four-man team following me.”

Stone sat up straight. “Might they have been foreign?”

“I don’t think so. They were conventionally Caucasian and dressed in business clothes. One was a woman.”

“They had to be Lance’s,” Stone said. “Do you know if they saw you depart your building?”

“I don’t believe so,” Pablo replied. “I was very careful when leaving my apartment, and I saw no sign of being followed.”

“They have to belong to Lance; the four-man team is a technique they teach at the Farm, the Agency’s training facility. The NYPD also teaches it, but they would have no reason to be interested in or even aware of you.”

“That’s what I think, as well.”