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Guardian Program Ch. 28
A novel by R.C.PeterGabriel, all rights reserved.
17:21 Saturday, Washington DC., The offices of the Director of the National Security Agency.
"With all due respect Sirs, I have already answered that question four times. Rewording it will not change my answer," replied Ms. Thornton, as her frustration began to get the better of her. "The fact that it's late on a Saturday, and you're all cross for having to work, doesn't give you the right to be rude to me. You seem to have forgotten today is Saturday on my calendar also.
"The way I see it, Mr. Deckard, the situation is one of three things. Either you think I'm too stupid to understand your question's wording; you're being deliberately obtuse because you think I'm compromised and are trying to catch me in a lie; or you're truly too stupid to understand my responses. Now I find it highly doubtful that you're the least bit lacking in intelligence, so do you think I'm lacking, or compromised?" She glared at the head of the CIA awaiting a response, while Deckard looked as if he'd been slapped.
General Anderton quickly responded before things escalated and they lost their only asset in Smith's operations. "Ms. Thornton, I apologize, we're all tired, and you're correct, we have been rude. Could you please sum up in your own words the current situation?"
"I have already told you all I know, Sir. My new working hypothesis of Mr. Smith's assets is that he has far more companies overseas than he has here; that we have no idea what his net worth is; that he has some big project being announced sometime in October, and I will try to find out what it is next week.
"As far as his intentions are concerned, I've given you a brief summary of his psychological profile and will continue to build on it as I spend time with him.
"However, I'd be able to be more specific if you'd simply tell me what it is I'm trying to describe his intentions for." Her statements were met with looks of frustration or 'cop face'.
Henderson finally spoke up. "Ms. Thornton, I understand you're doing the best you can, but our need to know is based on a situation that we can't give you the details of. If it were as easy as telling you what to look for, then we would. We simply cannot say what it involves, except that it is extremely important to national security. All we ask is that you contact us the moment you return from South America."
Still feeling as if a mob of militant biographers had attacked her, she stood. "Thank you Mr. Iverhouse, I will indeed be happy to do exactly what I had agreed to do, over two hours ago," she reiterated with a strained smile that was fully intended to express her displeasure.
"I assume I'm free to go." When General Anderton nodded, she left without looking back.
Henderson looked around the table at a portion of the Guardian Program members. "Gentlemen, I may be the lowest ranking member here, and I mean no disrespect to your positions, but I have to say that you were all acting so obviously desperate, that she couldn't help but see it. She's a profiler for God's sake! She was being polite when she asked if you were being deliberately obtuse.
"Now General, if you don't have anything for me, I'll be leaving also. I've been neglecting my wife and kids far too often as of late."
He waited while General Anderton stared off into space for a few moments. Finally nodding to Henderson, and waiving his hand in a dismissive gesture, Anderton apologized. "Sorry Jack, just thinking. Everyone's dismissed, that wants to be."
Deckard stood and motioned to McKinney who followed.
A few moments later James rose. "I guess I'll take my leave as well John, I still have the Bureau to run. Hopefully, Thornton will have more to tell us when she gets back. Call me tomorrow, and we'll do lunch," he offered, then exited the room as well.
Anderton stood, then walked to the end of the room where he picked up a plate. While filling it with various items, he spoke to the only other person in the room. "Varrientos, you might as well fill a plate, we need to get something from this."
"General, we need to convince Lieber, to move on Smith. If we can't, we don't have a leg to stand on. Thornton is good intel as far as it goes, but none of it answers the big question."
With that, Varrientos walked from the room without touching the buffet. Anderton had been so far inside his own head that it was almost five minutes before he realized he was alone. He ate what was on his plate and then left, not bothering to tell the catering crew to clear the remaining servings for fifteen.
Once Brennen was far enough down the corridor to feel safe to speak, he turned to McKinney. "This is getting ridiculous. We need to act. I'm not waiting for Lieber. Do you remember the action taken in India, last year?"
McKinney nodded, "You're referring to Hengora's son?"
Brennen cut him off before he could say anything else. "Don't say another word McKinney, I want action taken and that operation seemed to make just the kind of statement we need. You should look into it for me."
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Jessie and I spent the next few days discussing strategies for the division of labor, except whenever Toni went next door. It would seem that I was to be with Toni in the evenings and Jessie in the morning.
When I was with Toni, it was about my need to reclaim my wife through passion and intensity. I drilled her into the mattress or bent over any available surface trying to remind her that she didn't need anyone else. Each night her screams of orgasmic bliss left no doubts that she enjoyed my attention. After ten or twelve orgasms she would start begging me for a break but I would drive her through a few more until she passed out. Regardless, that didn't keep me from waking up to an empty bed.
My decision to teach Bill Escrema now included visions of teaching blades instead of just sticks. He would be begging for death if I had my way. I convinced him that martial arts was an excellent way to stay in shape. And after checking both of our schedules he agreed to his first lesson right after my birthday.
Because of the empty bed each morning I would find myself needing Sam. With her, it's about finding my center, finding complete peace in controlling the body of another person, and finding pleasure in giving pleasure.
My thoughts of Sam would cool my anger enough that when Jessie would slide into bed with me soon after Toni's departure, I could concentrate on her. With her, the lovemaking is very tender and about the connection of souls, being united completely.
Jessie and I went to church on Sunday. We didn't even discuss it ahead of time, just somehow agreeing. We wanted to give a formal declaration of thanks. Without a word, we remained behind, well after everyone else had left. I felt very close to God and thanked him not only for the wonderful women he had placed in my life but also for being found worthy of the enormous responsibility he had placed on me.
