The Shooters (Presidential Agent 4)

In almost a Pavlovian act, Castillo ejected the magazine and worked the pistol's slide. A cartridge flew through the air and landed on the bed. Castillo picked it up, put it in the magazine, then put the magazine back in the pistol and dropped the hammer.

"What the hell is going on there, Charley?" Major Richard Miller's voice demanded over the speaker circuit.

"Turn the speaker off, Lester," Castillo ordered, and picked up the handset.

Pevsner looked as if he was going to leave the room.

Oh, what the hell!

"Stay, Alek," Castillo said.

He'll be able to hear only one side of the conversation.

And he already knows I work for the President.

Castillo spoke into the handset: "Excuse the interruption, Richard. The maid wanted to turn down the bed. You were saying?"

"I was about to read the message the bluesuit didn't want to give me."

"Please do."

"Skipping the address crap at the top…'(1) Pursuant to verbal order issued by DepSecNav to undersigned in telecon 1530 6 September 2005, four US Army HU1D rotary-wing aircraft were permitted to land aboard USS Ronald Reagan at 1305 10 September 2005.

"'(2) Senior officer among them, who states he is a US Army major but declines to further identify himself with identity card or similar document, also has refused to inform the undersigned of the nature of his mission, stating it is classified Top Secret Presidential, and neither the undersigned nor RADM Jacoby, USN, the Task Force Commander, is authorized access to such information.'"

"Good for him," Castillo said.

"It gets better," Miller replied. "'(3) US Army major was denied permission by undersigned to communicate with US Army LtCol Costello of Dept of Homeland Security using a non-standard satellite radio he brought aboard. He said LtCol Costello could quote clarify unquote the situation. He refused use of Reagan's communication services, stating he could not be sure of their encryption capabilities.

"'(4) US Army major has also refused inspection of cargo aboard helicopters, again citing classification of Top Secret Presidential.'"

"And, again, good for him," Castillo said. "Who screwed up and didn't clue the Navy in on what's happening?"

"I'm not finished," Miller said. "Get this: "'(5) Helicopters and their crews are presently on flight deck in what amounts to a standoff between members of my crew and the Army personnel."

"Oh, shit!" Castillo said.

"Continuing right along," Miller replied, "'(6) Further action was not taken because the US Army personnel are obviously American and they pose no threat to USS Ronald Reagan that cannot be dealt with.

"'(7) Urgently and respectfully request clarification of this situation and existing orders. It is suggested that contacting LtCol Costello, only, might be useful.' That's why the bluesuit didn't even want to give me this."

"Jesus Christ!" Castillo said.

"And we conclude with, '(8) USS Ronald Reagan proceeding.' The signature is 'Kenton, Captain USN, Captain, USS Ronald Reagan' and below that it says, 'Rear Admiral K. G. Jacoby, USN, concurs.'"

"What did Montvale have to say?"

"That's why I called you, Charley. I can't get through to Montvale."

"What do you mean you can't get through to him?"

"Your buddy Truman Ellsworth, who answers his line, says he's not available."

"He does?" Castillo said, coldly. "Get me the White House switchboard."

He saw Pevsner's eyes light up when he heard "White House."

Miller said, "Before you charge off in righteous indignation, would you be interested in hearing my probably somewhat paranoid assessment of the situation?"