"Avalon, Avalon, this is Scamp—" the voice on the gertrude was distorted but readable, "—return at once.  Acknowledge."

"Scamp, this is Avalon.  On the way."

The Scamp had just received an ELF message and gone briefly to periscope depth for a FLASH operational order.  "PROCEED AT BEST SPEED TO 33N 75W."  The message didn't say why.

CIA Headquarters

"CARDINAL is still with us," Moore told Ritter.

"Thank God for that." Ritter sat down.

"There's a signal en route.  This time he didn't try to kill himself getting it to us.  Maybe being in the hospital scared him a little.  I'm extending another offer to extract him."

"Again?"

"Bob, we have to make the offer."

"I know.  I had one sent myself a few years back, you know.  The old bastard just doesn't want to quit.  You know how it goes, some people thrive on the action.  Or maybe he hasn't worked out his rage yet . . .I just got a call from Senator Donaldson."  Donaldson was the chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence.

"Oh?"

"He wants to know what we know about what's going on.  He doesn't buy the cover story about a rescue mission, and thinks we know something different."

Judge Moore leaned back.  "I wonder who planted that idea in his head?"

"Yeah.  I have a little idea we might try.  I think it's time, and this is a dandy opportunity."

The two senior executives discussed this for an hour.  Before Ritter left for the Hill, they cleared it with the president.

Washington, D.C.

Donaldson kept Ritter waiting in his outer office for fifteen minutes while he read the paper.  He wanted Ritter to know his place.  Some of the DDO's remarks about leaks from the Hill had touched a sore spot with the senator from Connecticut, and it was important for appointed and civil service officials to understand the difference between themselves and the elected representatives of the people.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Ritter."  Donaldson did not rise, nor did he offer to shake hands.

"Quite all right, sir.  Took the chance to read a magazine.  Don't get to do that much, what with the schedule I work."  They fenced with each other from the first moment.

"So, what are the Soviets up to?"

"Senator, before I address that subject, I must say this:  I had to clear this meeting with the president.  This information is for you alone, no one else may hear it, sir.  No one.  That comes from the White House."

"There are other men on my committee, Mr. Ritter."

"Sir, if I do not have your word, as a gentleman," Ritter added with a smile, "I will not reveal this information.  Those are my orders.  I work for the executive branch, Senator.  I take my orders from the president.  " Ritter hoped his recording device was getting all of this.