The Hostage (Presidential Agent 2)

"And would you tell me if you didn't?"

"Yes, sir, I would," Silvio said.

There was another long pause, and then the President said, "You ever hear that story about the people who went to President Lincoln to tell him General Grant was a drunk? Lincoln was pretty fed up with people around him bickering, and history tells us he had one hell of a temper. But this time he kept it in check. What President Lincoln said was, 'Well, find out what General Grant is drinking and I'll see that my other generals get some of it.' "

The President paused. "Now, Mr. Ambassador, changing the subject, I wonder if you would be good enough to send me, via Major Castillo, a bottle of whatever you two have been drinking? I'll share it with Secretary Hall and Director Montvale."

"It would be my pleasure, Mr. President," Silvio said, a smile in his voice.

"Just idle curiosity," the President asked, "what will it be?"

"Major Castillo, sir, shares my appreciation of a local wine, a cabernet sauvignon from the Sentenir bodega in Mendoza."

"I'll look forward to it," the President said. "Maybe two bottles would be better than one. Better yet, make it a case."

"Yes, sir."

"One more thing," the President said. "Charley, are you watching your back?"

"Yes, sir."

"I guess what I really meant to ask is who's helping you watch your back?"

"Sir, as we speak, my Marine bodyguard is standing outside the ambassador's door."

"Well, do what he says, Charley. Too many people are getting shot down there."

"Yes, sir, I will."

"Unless someone has something else, that would seem to be it."

No one said anything.

"Okay. I'll see you sometime late tomorrow, Charley. And, Charles, I think it would be a good idea if you went down to Mississippi with us, too."

"Of course, Mr. President," Director of National Intelligence Montvale said. [FOUR] As Castillo came out of Ambassador Silvio's office, Corporal Lester Bradley, USMC, popped to attention and said, "There are two Air Force officers to see you, sir. I asked them to wait in the outer office."

"Thank you, Corporal," Castillo said and went into the outer office, where he found Colonel Jake Torine and the light bird pilot of the Gulfstream-if he had ever heard his name, Castillo couldn't remember it now- sitting in the row of chairs against the wall. Both were in civilian clothing: sports jackets and slacks.

"I was just about to call you," Castillo said, shaking Torine's hand.

"We heard what happened," Torine said. "How's that female Secret Service agent doing? Betty?"

"Betty took three hits. She's in surgery now."

"Nice girl," Torine said. "Is she going to be all right?"

"Jesus Christ, I hope so," Castillo said. "I'm going to the German Hospital from here."

"Any change in the plan for tomorrow?"

"No. Mrs. Masterson has decided she's going ahead with the whole dog-and-pony show. Jake, just now I remembered, or think I did, something about an ambulance configuration for the Gulfstream."

Torine shrugged, indicating he didn't know either, and then asked, "Walter?"

"Yes, there is an emergency ambulance configuration for the C-37," the lieutenant colonel confirmed.

"Installed on the one you're flying, Colonel?" Charley as