The Bin Laden Plot

During their previous effort to track down Mixell, Harrison had initially turned down the CIA’s offer of employment due to a catch-22. Christine knew Harrison would agree to join the CIA and help track down Mixell, but he couldn’t be told Mixell was the person of interest. The situation was classified, and Harrison, who had recently retired from the Navy, no longer had a security clearance. Christine had decided to bend the rules, informing him that Mixell was out of prison and a lead suspect in a case they were working on.

But now that Harrison had left the CIA, they were back where they started; Harrison wasn’t allowed to know Mixell had survived and was the main suspect in the secretary of the Navy’s assassination attempt.

“I don’t make the rules,” Rolow said, “but you can bend them again, if you desire.”

“Fine,” Christine said. “I’ll talk with Harrison.”

She turned to McFarland. “When it comes to tracking someone down on U.S. soil, the FBI and other domestic agencies have access to more surveillance systems and analysis resources than we do. They’re going to discover information about Mixell faster than we can, and I’d rather not play catch-up or even be purposefully left in the dark.”

Prior to becoming CIA director, Christine had been well aware that relations between the CIA and FBI were strained, with difficulties dating back to former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and former CIA directors Allen Dulles and Richard Helms. The tension stemmed partly from bureaucratic rivalry created by overlapping responsibilities for counterintelligence activities and from conflict caused by decidedly different cultures and agendas. Succinctly put, the CIA played offense while the FBI played defense. Add in each agency’s concerted efforts to protect their sources, and information sharing between the two organizations was often a casualty.

When it came to Mixell, Christine was determined to ensure all relevant information was provided to the CIA, and there was only one way to do that.

She asked McFarland, “Do we have the ability to tap into domestic data collection systems?”

McFarland glanced at Rolow and Bryant, then replied, “You mean, do we have the ability to infiltrate the surveillance and data systems of domestic law enforcement and sister intelligence agencies?”

Christine nodded. “And the answer is…?”

McFarland leaned forward. “That depends on who’s asking.”

Christine contemplated McFarland’s response. She had answered the question.

“Do it,” Christine said. “If anyone learns anything about Mixell, I want us to know as soon as possible.”

* * *

After the meeting ended, the three deputy directors departed Christine’s office, heading down the corridor toward their own offices. After McFarland stepped into hers and closed the door, Bryant turned to Rolow.

“I didn’t care much for our new director at first, but she’s starting to grow on me.”

“I told you,” Rolow said. “Christine is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The president knew what he was doing when he nominated her for director.”

“However,” Bryant said, “she’s still more loyal to the president than to the agency.”

“I agree,” Rolow replied, then lowered his voice. “There are some things that must remain between the two of us.”

14 SILVERDALE, WASHINGTON

Angie Harrison fluffed a couch pillow, then stepped back and examined it with a critical eye. She straightened a corner, then surveyed the couch and the rest of the living room again. After ensuring everything was in its place, she stopped in the foyer and inspected herself in the mirror. For this afternoon’s visit, she had picked out a pair of capris and a shirt that accentuated her figure.

Looking out the dining room window, she searched for a sign of the expected guest. But there were no cars on the long road approaching their house in the countryside. That wasn’t unexpected, however. Christine O’Connor was supposed to call when her meeting at the nearby Naval Undersea Warfare Center had ended and she was on her way, and there had been no word thus far. Angie checked her watch. She should be calling anytime now.

Angie entered the kitchen and stopped by the sink, looking out the window. A light mist was falling from a gray overcast sky, but that hadn’t stopped Jake from working in the backyard.

They were both so predictable.

Several months ago, they had both spent the hours before Christine’s previous visit the same way: Jake working in the yard to take his mind off Christine, while Angie worried how she would measure up to the woman Jake had dated for ten years and proposed to twice. Angie had met Christine for the first time four months ago, and it was obvious that Jake’s former flame was a beautiful, accomplished, and powerful woman, while she was…