A Time for Patriots

“We’ve analyzed photos and videos taken at the demonstrations in front of Battle Mountain air base,” Dobson said, “and my team has identified two and possibly four foreign agents that have been moving closer and closer to the air base at Battle Mountain.”

“They’re getting bolder by the day,” the vice president said. “They’re moving right to your doorstep. You’re not safe.”

“We think Sergeant Slotnick detected the agents about two weeks ago at one of the demonstrations,” Dobson went on, “and actually confronted one the day he was killed. Most likely it was one of the agents that killed Slotnick, and the backups in the crowd set off the tear-gas bombs that caused the protesters to panic and rush the base.”

“The base is still a safe place for you,” the vice president said. “The security there is the best in the nation. But it’s closing soon, and you’ll lose that protection. And I’m concerned about young Brad here. You go to high school off base, and I know you have off-base jobs and activities, and that’s where they could get to you. It won’t be much of a life stuck on the base.” She turned to Patrick. “That’s why I want to suggest you come to Washington, Patrick.”

“Ma’am…”

Page held up a hand. “I understand all about Colonel Cazzotto, how angry she was at President Phoenix for not pardoning her. But have you seen her lately?”

“Yes, I have, ma’am,” Patrick said. “In fact, she’s at my trailer right now.”

Ann turned a horrified expression to Tim, who had a look of concern on his face that made Patrick’s fingertips tingle. “The FBI has had her under observation ever since she started applying for work at defense contractors in Southern California, General,” Dobson said. “With her felony conviction she can’t get a security clearance, and with the bad economy few firms are hiring anyway.”

“That’s what she told me,” Patrick said.

“High-profile individual, highly skilled and intelligent, formerly had a top-secret security clearance but out of work with a federal felony conviction, angry at the government, an alcohol problem, possibly emotional problems — the textbook example of a disgruntled worker,” Ann said. “And a woman to boot. A perfect target for recruitment by a foreign or enemy power.”

“What?” Patrick exclaimed.

“She met a guy in one of her twelve-step meetings that was helping her out, befriending her, hiring her part-time, maybe… maybe something more intimate,” Dobson said hesitantly.

“She said all that too,” Patrick said perturbedly. Dobson paused. “Spit it out, Tim,” he said.

“We’re having… trouble, difficulties, identifying the guy, sir,” Dobson said uncomfortably. “His neighbors and acquaintances have the same story about him: he’s a building contractor, he’s been in the area for years, he’s dependable, he’s a good guy. His license is real. But when we dig one or two levels lower, we start to lose continuity. His Social Security number and his previous addresses on his contractor’s license application don’t correlate.”

“So what are you saying, Tim?” Patrick asked.

“Agent more-than-polite Dobson here is trying to say that your girlfriend’s new boyfriend doesn’t check out, and he thinks he’s a sleeper agent working for the Russian Federal Security Bureau, targeting Cazzotto to get close to you to set you up for a hit,” Vice President Page interjected impatiently. “C’mon, Patrick, wake up and smell the damned coffee. Someone got to your alkie girlfriend for the express purpose of getting close to you

. Get with the program, will you? You’re a former Air Force intelligence chief, for Christ’s sake.” She saw Patrick’s eyes flare in indignation, which only egged her on: “Don’t give me that ‘I’m shocked! Shocked!’ expression, McLanahan,” Ann retorted before he could speak. She stuck a finger directly into Patrick’s face. “Don’t try to tell me you didn’t have some suspicions when this woman suddenly turns up on your doorstep after being gone for seven weeks.”

“I thought she was just returning home,” Patrick said. “This is her home, ever since she left the service…”

“Yeah, right — and you thought she was going to come back to the armpit of the world and sit on the porch of your little double-wide trailer in one-hundred-degree desert heat and wait for you to come back from your heroic Civil Air Patrol and Angel Flight West flying missions and snuggle close to her,” Ann retorted. “Can you possibly be that blind or galactically stupid, Patrick? In her mind, Phoenix screwed her, but saved you . That means you screwed her in her twisted crazy fevered head. With that mind-set, she’ll shack up with anyone who wants to get close to you, for whatever reason imaginable. Wake up, damn it. This is serious. Are you paying attention to me, General?”