By Order of the President (Presidential Agent 1)

He pointed to the burn bag tied to Kensington’s shelf, which was actually a small canvas bag holding three thermite grenades—two for the radio, one for messages—in case it became necessary to destroy either or both to keep them from falling into the wrong hands.

Kensington did so, then looked at McNab, who made a “push ’em up” gesture with this fingers. Kensington turned to the control panel and started flipping switches.

“Coming up . . . all green, sir,” Kensington said.

“I wonder where Miller got that stationery?” McNab asked.

“Knowing the major, sir, no telling,” Sergeant Kensington said.

“We did not get any images, right?”

“No, sir, we didn’t. The image link must have been down, too.”

“See if you can get General Naylor on here for me, will you, please?” McNab asked.

“McNab, sir. We had a little communications problem so I thought I had better check in with you, sir.”

“Where are you, General?”

“We just came out of the Gulf into the Atlantic,

sir. The pilot estimates we have about four hours to go. That would put us . . .”

“There’s been a change of orders, General.”

“Yes, sir?”

“The president directs that you divert to Costa Rica.”

“Costa Rica?”

“Either to Tomas Guardia International, on the west coast, or Juan Santamaria, which serves San José—your choice—there to prepare to neutralize the airplane we’re looking for.”

“I thought it was in Suriname, sir.”

“That was apparently faulty intel, General.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you see where this is going to pose any problems, General?”

“No, sir. I can probably be on the ground at either field in, say, a little over an hour.”

“Let me know when you get close to the coast,” Naylor ordered. “We’re trying to get you permission to enter their airspace. If that doesn’t come through, you’ll have to practice some sort of deception.”

“Yes, sir. I understand. I’ll think of something.”

“Your further orders, again from the president, General, are to neutralize this airplane as quietly as possible.”

“Yes, sir, I understand. Neutralize as quietly as possible.”

“We’ll be in touch.”

“Sir, are you in a position to tell me where the airplane we’re looking for in Costa Rica is? Specifically, I mean?”

“Not at this time. When I have that information, you’ll get it. The CIA is working on it and they are in the process of moving satellites.”

“Yes, sir. Well, if the CIA’s working on it, then we’ll certainly know for sure where the airplane is, won’t we, sir?”