Madox turned to the person sitting next to Dunn, near Harry, and said, "This is General James Hawkins, United States Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whom you may also recognize, though Jim is a low-profile guy."

Madox indicated the man to his left. "This is Edward Wolffer, the deputy secretary of defense, who likes the cameras. Never stand between Ed and a news camera or you'll get knocked over." Madox smiled, but no one else did. Madox added, "Ed and I graduated from Infantry Officer Candidate School together, Fort Benning, Georgia, April 1967. We served in Vietnam at the same time. He's made quite a name for himself since then, while I've made a lot of money."

Wolffer didn't smile at what Harry thought must be an old joke by now.

Madox continued, "And to your right, Harry, is Scott Landsdale of the Central Intelligence Agency, who is definitely camera shy, and who is also the CIA liaison to the White House."

Harry glanced at Landsdale. He seemed a little cocky and arrogant, like most of the CIA guys Harry had had the misfortune to work with.

Madox said, "This is the Executive Board of the Custer Hill Club. The rest of our members-about a dozen men this weekend-are hiking or bird-hunting, which I hope doesn't upset you." He explained to the other men, "Mr. Muller is a bird-watcher."

Harry wanted to say, "Fuck you," but remained silent. He understood now that the guys in this room had not come here from Washington to participate in a test of Harry Muller's qualifications for a bigger and better job.

Madox told Harry, "This holiday weekend was to be a regularly scheduled gathering to discuss world affairs, to exchange information, and to just enjoy some camaraderie. But your presence here has made it necessary for me to call this emergency meeting of the Executive Board. I'm sure that means nothing to you now, but it will later."

Harry said, "I don't want to hear any of this."

"I thought you were a detective." He stared at Harry and said, "I've had a little time to check you out with our friends in the ATTF, and you appear to be who you say you are."

Harry didn't reply, but he wondered who Madox's friends were in the ATTF.

Mr. Madox informed him, "If you were an FBI agent, or CIA, we'd be very concerned."

Scott Landsdale, the CIA man, said, "Bain, I can assure you that Mr. Muller is not a CIA officer."

Madox smiled. "I suppose it takes one to know one."

Landsdale continued, "And I'm fairly certain that Mr. Muller is not FBI. He is what he appears to be-a cop, working for the FBI, on surveillance."

"Thank you for that assurance," said Madox.

"You're welcome. Now, I'd like some assurance, Bain. You weren't very clear about when Mr. Muller will be reported as missing in action."

Madox replied, "Ask Mr. Muller. He's right next to you."

Landsdale turned to Harry. "When do they start wondering where you are? No lies. I know how they work at 26 Fed. And what I don't know, I can find out."

Harry thought, Typical CIA bastard, always pretending they know more than they actually know. Harry replied, "Well, then, find out yourself."

Landsdale resumed without comment, like a trained interrogator, "Will anyone call you?"

"How do I know? I'm not psychic."

Madox interjected, "I'm checking his cell phone and beeper every half hour or so. The only message was from Lori. That's his girlfriend. I'll send her a text message later from Mr. Muller's cell phone."

Landsdale nodded. "God forbid anyone on the Task Force would interrupt their holiday weekend." He asked Harry, "When are you supposed to get back to 26 Fed?"

"When I get there."

"Who gave you this assignment? Walsh or Paresi?"

Harry thought this guy knew too much about the Task Force. He replied, "I get my orders on an audiotape that self-destructs."

"Me, too. What did your audiotape say, Harry?"

"I already answered that. IRA surveillance."

"That's really lame." Landsdale said to the others, "Mr. Muller's assignment probably came from Washington, and in the hallowed tradition of intelligence work, no one tells anyone more than someone thinks they need to know. That, unfortunately, is how 9/11 happened. Things have changed, but old habits are hard to break, and sometimes they're not bad habits. Mr. Muller, for instance, can't tell us what he doesn't know." He added, "I'm fairly sure we're okay for at least forty-eight hours. His girlfriend will probably miss him long before his supervisor does." He addressed Harry. "Is she connected to law enforcement or to the intelligence business in any way?"

"Yeah. She's a CIA officer. Former prostitute."

Landsdale laughed. "I think I know her."

Madox said, "Thank you, Scott, for your assistance." He said to Harry, "Your visit here, even as a low-level surveillance person, has given us some concern."

Harry didn't reply but looked around at the other men, who did seem a little concerned about something.

Madox continued, "However, some good may come of this. We've been planning a long time for Project Green, and I'm afraid that the planning has become procrastination. This often happens when a momentous decision needs to be made." He stared at his Executive Board, two of whom nodded and two of whom seemed annoyed.

Madox went on, "Harry, I think that your physical presence in this room is a strong reminder that there are forces in the government that are too curious about who we are and what we're doing. I think time has run out." He looked at the other four men, who nodded, almost reluctantly.

Madox said, "So, gentlemen, if you have no further objections, Mr. Muller stays with us so we can keep an eye on him." He looked at Harry. "I want to make it perfectly clear to you that although you have been detained here, no harm will come to you. We just need to keep you here until Project Green begins. Perhaps two or three days. Understand?"

Harry Muller understood that he might be dead in less than two or three days. But on another level, looking at these men, who in his world of police work were not the murdering type, he thought that Madox might be telling the truth. He couldn't believe-or make himself believe-that guys like this would go ahead and kill him. He glanced at Landsdale, who seemed like the only one in the room who might actually be dangerous.

"Mr. Muller? Do you understand?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah."

"Good. Don't let your imagination get the best of you. What you're going to hear in the next hour or so is so far beyond your wildest imagination that you'll forget about yourself anyway."

Harry looked at Madox, who still seemed cool and smart-mouthed, but Harry could also see that Madox was a little hyper and worried about something.

Harry regarded the other four men, and he thought he'd never seen guys who were so powerful looking so worried. The older man, Dunn, the president's adviser, was pale, and Harry noticed that Dunn's hands were trembling. Hawkins, the general, and Wolffer, the defense guy, looked pretty grim. Only Landsdale appeared relaxed, but Harry could see he was putting it on.

Whatever was going on here, Harry thought, it was real, and it was something that was scaring the shit out of these guys. Harry took some comfort in the fact that he wasn't the only one in the room who was scared shitless.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Bain Madox stood and said, "I call this emergency meeting of the Executive Board of the Custer Hill Club to order."

Still standing, he continued, "Gentlemen, as you know, because of the one-year anniversary of 9/11, the Office of Homeland Security has put the nation on Alert Level Orange. The purpose of this meeting is to decide if we should go ahead with Project Green, which will reduce the alert level to that color. Permanently." Madox looked at Harry. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"