Friberg had to get them off this analysis until he and Ingersol had time to talk. “Based on our information, which I should reiterate is still sketchy, Casius took out some innocents in his attempt. He has a history of high collateral damage.”

Friberg threw the lies out, knowing he had now committed himself to a far more involved cover-up than he’d imagined. His mind was already isolating the potential leaks. David Lunow topped the list of potential snitches. He would have to be silenced.

And as for the Rangers, they were puppets without political agendas— even if they stumbled into something down there, they wouldn’t talk. Mark Ingersol had just committed himself to going along for the ride. It could be done. It had to be done—as soon as this bomb foolishness passed.

It dawned on Friberg that the other three were staring at him. “I really think it’s as simple as that, sir. They know how excited we get over things like nuclear threats. They’re playing us.”

“Let’s hope you’re right. In the meantime, we treat this thing like any other threat of terror. So let’s hear your recommendations.”

Friberg took a deep breath. “We deliver Casius and defuse the demand.”

“Beyond that. Myles?”

“We activate full Homeland Security measures and put all law enforcement on alert. And we look for a device, particularly in the path of recognized drug routes. Despite the unlikelihood of there actually being a bomb, we follow full protocol.”

Friberg wanted to get past this foolishness. Seventy-two hours would come and go and there would be no bomb. He’d seen it a hundred times, and each time they’d had to run through this nonsense. A year ago in the wake of the big attack it had been one thing. But getting all worked up every time some nut yelled Boo was getting old.

Myles Bancroft continued, “We’ve already made a preliminary search plan that starts with the southeast coast and the West Coast and expands to all major shipping points in the country. The Coast Guard will bear the heaviest burden. If the cartel did manage to land a bomb in our borders, it was most probably through a seaport.”

The president frowned and shook his head. “It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Let’s pray to God we never actually have to face a real nuclear bomb.”

“No system’s perfect,” Masters said.

“And if they have managed to get a device through, you honestly think we have a chance of finding it?” the president asked, turning back to the director of the CIA.

“Personally?” Friberg asked.

The president nodded.