"All the facts aren't in yet," Merger argued.
"Just what do we know?" demanded the President.
"Our experts are already in Punta del Este working with the Uruguayan security people," explained Brogan. "So far, we only have preliminary conclusions. First, the hijacking has been tied to an Arab group. Two witnesses came forward who were in a passing launch when they saw the Lady Flamborough taking on cargo from a landing barge. They heard crewmen on both vessels speaking Arabic. The landing barge has not been found and is assumed to be scuttled somewhere in the harbor."
"any idea on the cargo?" asked Merger.
"All the witnesses could recall seeing were some drums," answered Brogan. "Second, a phony report was given to the Harbor Master's office from the cruise liner saying its main generator had broken down, and the vessel would only run navigation lights until repairs were carried out.
Then, as soon as it became dark, the unlit ship pulled up its anchor and slipped out of the harbor, colliding with a private yacht carrying important South American businessmen and diplomats. The only fumble in an otherwise flawless execution. Then it disappeared."
"Hardly a slop job," said Merger, "unlike the botched second assassination attempt on Hala Kaniil."
"A different group entirely," Brogan added.
Dale Nichols spoke up for the first time in the meeting. "Which you linked directly to Akhmad Yazid."
"Yes, the assassins were not very careful. Egyptian passports were found on tke bodies. One, the leader, we identified as a mullah and fanatical follower of Yazid."
"Do you think Yazid's responsible for the hijacking?"
"He certainly had the motive," answered Brogan. "With President Hasan out of the way, he has a clear shot at taking over the Egyptian government."
"The same goes for President De Lorenzo, Topiltzin and Mexico," Nichols stated flatly.
"An interesting theory," said Merger.
"What can we do besides send a few CIA terrorist investigators to Uruguay?" asked the President. "What are our options in helping with the search for the Lady Flamborough?"
"To answer the first part of your question," said Brogan, "very little.
The investigation is in good hands. Uruguayan police and security intelligence chiefs were trained here and in Britain. They know the score and are most cooperative in working with our experts." He paused and avoided the President's eyes. "As to the second, again, very little. The Navy Department has no ships patrolling the ocean off South America. The nearest vessel to the area is a nuclear sub on a training exercise off Antarctica. Our Latin friends are doing fine without us.
Over eighty military and commercial aircraft and at least fourteen ships from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have been combing the sea off Punta del Este since dawn."
"And they haven't found a clue to the Lady Flamborough's fate," said the President. What little optimism he had before was rapidly eroding into despondency.
"They will," said Merger tersely.
"Wreckage and bodies most certainly will Turn up," said Brogan candidly.
"No ship that size can vanish without leaving some trace behind."
"Has the story broken in the press yet?" asked the President.
"I was informed it came over the wire services an hour ago," Nichols answered.
The President folded his hands and clenched them tightly.
"Holy hell will cut loose in Congress when they find out one of their members is a victim of a terrorist act. No telling what kind of revenge they'll demand."
"The purpose of the Senator's mission alone is enough to cause a major scandal if it leaks out," said Nichols.
"Swinge that terrorists can murder international leaders and diplomats, with an army of innocent victims thrown in, and get off with a few years in prison," mused the President. "But if we play their gwne and go after them with guns blasting, we're branded immoral, blood-thirsty avengers. The news media get on our case and Congress demands investigations."
"It hurts being the good guys," said Brogan. He was beginning to sound tired.
Nichols stood up and stretched. "I don't think we have to worry.