"She's in surgery now at the German Hospital. She took three hits-"
"Am I correct in assuming the third party to this call is Major Castillo?" Director Montvale interrupted. He still sounded amused.
"Yes, sir," Castillo said.
"I am Charles Montvale, Major. Do you know who I am?" Now his voice was serious.
"Yes, sir."
"The President has asked me to take your call, Major. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"This call is being recorded. You may proceed."
"Hold off, Charley," Matt Hall said icily. "Mr. Montvale, let's get some things clear between us before anyone says another word."
"Is there a problem?"
"Several, I'm afraid. For one thing, I don't like being informed that my call is being recorded. You said nothing about that when you told my executive assistant you wanted to listen to this call."
"Actually, it was my executive assistant who spoke with your execu
tive assistant," Montvale said. "And recording my calls-especially calls of this nature-is standard procedure."
"It's not my standard procedure. I would like your assurance that the recording device has been turned off, that what has been recorded so far will be erased, and that there is no one privy to this call but the three of us."
"I intend to have the tape of this conversation available should the President ask for it when I report this telecom to him."
"Do I understand I don't have your assurance the recorder is being turned off?"
"I frankly don't understand your attitude, Secretary Hall."
"Is that a yes or a no, Mr. Montvale?"
"Jo-Anne, turn off the recorder," Montvale said after a moment.
"And erase anything that's been recorded," Hall insisted.
"Erase what has been recorded so far, please, Jo-Anne."
"Thank you."
"You said there were several problems, Secretary Hall?"
"Major Castillo works for me. I will tell him when to proceed or when not to. Is that clear?"
"May I point out, Mr. Secretary, that we all work for the President? And that it is at the President's order that I am taking the call?"
"Major Castillo," Hall said. "You understand that you take your orders from either the President or me? And only the President and me?"
"Yes, sir."
"I will, of course, seek clarification of this from the President," Montvale said.
"We both will, Mr. Montvale," Hall said, and then, when there was no response from Montvale, went on: "Okay, Charley, go on."
"Sir, Ambassador Silvio is with me. We're in his office in the embassy. The call is on the speakerphone."