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Consent To Kill

Flynn Vince (EN)

Secretary of State Berg cleared her throat and said, "Irene, there's a right way to handle this and a wrong way."

Isn't there always, Ke

"The right way is to let the FBI handle the investigation."

"And the wrong way?"

"The wrong way," interjected the attorney general, "is to have CIA black-ops people poking around a potential crime scene."

"I can assure you," Attorney General Stokes continued, "if a crime was committed, we will make sure the perpetrators are brought to justice. It might take some time, but we will do it. In the meantime you need to explain to Rapp that he is in no way involved in this investigation, and if he decides to get involved, he's going to find himself in some serious legal trouble."

If the situation wasn't so serious, Ke

Stokes did not like the comment and turned to Berg and Ross for support. The director of National Intelligence spoke first. "The last thing we need is an employee of the Central Intelligence Agency acting as a judge, jury, and executioner."

"I would actually say the last thing we need is someone getting away with trying to assassinate an employee of the CIA."

"If someone tried to kill Rapp, we'll find them, and they'll be punished."

"As his boss I expect you to control him," Ross said flatly.

"And if he quits?"

Ross turned to Secretary of State Berg. She hesitated briefly and then said, "We've revoked Mr. Rapp's passport. He's forbidden to leave the country."

Now this truly was fu

They ignored the question and Stokes said, "For his own good we're placing him under protective custody."

"Irene, it's for the good of the country," said Ross.

"That's debatable, but in the meantime, he's safe and in no need of further protection."

"Irene," said Stokes, "if I need to, I'll get a court order."

"On what grounds, Marty?" Ke

Ross held his hand up, signaling for them both to stop. "Let's all take a deep breath and calm down. I'm sure the CIA is more than capable of keeping an eye on Mitch until he's recovered. In the meantime, Irene, we're going to have to grant access to the FBI so they can interview him."

"I would also like to talk to him," said Ross.

"I doubt he's up for visitors at the moment, but…"

"When he's ready," the president said, directing his comment at Ross and not Ke

There was a brief pause and the president's national security advisor took the opportunity to end the meeting. He stood and said, "The president is on a tight schedule this morning, so if you'll excuse us." Haik pointed at Ross and asked, "Do you have fifteen minutes?"

"Of course."

Haik pulled the director of National Intelligence aside and began speaking in hushed tones. The president was gone before anyone noticed, ducking out through the door that led to his personal secretary's office. Ke

She reached the outer door to the situation room and punched her code into the cipher lock. She opened the heavy door and ignored the duty officer who was sitting behind a desk a few paces ahead. Ke

"Irene, there isn't a proverbial snowball's chance in hell that the explosion was an accident. You know it, I know it, and they know it."

"Then why are you allowing them to put Mitch on ice and cut the CIA out of this?"

"I'm not."

"That's not what I just heard upstairs."

"Irene, what do you think Mitch is going to do when he's well enough to get out of bed?" the president asked.

Senator Hartsburg coughed and said, "He's going to kill anyone who had anything to do with his wife's death."

"That's right," said the president, "and I can't say I blame him."

"Then what's this nonsense about revoking his passport and putting him under protective custody?"

"Not my idea." Hayes shook his head. "And what does it really matter? You and I both know there's no stopping him. Passport or not…he's going to leave the country and go wherever he damn well pleases."