The Sum of All Fears.pdf - Delta Force

Manhattan Project underway. Fortunately, it died in the womb. Ivan was quite
upset to learn of it. The DDR returned a goodly supply of plutonium to their
former socialist colleagues just before the change. I speculate that KGB is
investigating the same thing.'
'Why didn't you tell us?' Jesus, Bas. Jack thought. You guys just don't forget,
do you?
'Nothing to tell, Jack.' Charleston nodded at the head waiter, who took them to
a table well aft. The security officers situated themselves between their
charges and the rest of luncheoning humanity. 'Our German friends have been very
forthcoming. The project, they say, has been quashed, completely and for all
time. We've had our technical people over everything, and they confirmed
everything our German colleagues told us.'
'When was this?'
'Several months ago. Ever eat here, Jack?' Charleston asked, as the waiter
appeared.
'Not this one, a few of the other ferry boats.' Basil ordered a pint of bitter.
Jack decided on a lager. They watched the waiter withdraw. 'The KGB op is more
recent.'
'Interesting. Could be the same thing, you know, could be that they had the same
interests we had and were just a little slower to move.'
'On nukes?' Ryan shook his head. 'Our Russian friends are pretty smart, Bas, and
they pay much closer attention to nuclear issues than we do. It's one of the
things I admire about them.'
'Yes, they did learn their lesson from China, didn't they?' Charleston set his
menu down and waved for the waiter to bring the drinks. 'You think this is a
serious matter, then?'
'Sure do.'
'Your judgment is generally rather good, Jack. Thank you,' Basil told the
waiter. Both men made their orders. 'You think we should poke about?'
'I think that might be a good idea.'
'Very well. What else can you tell me?'
'I'm afraid that's it, Bas.'
'Your source must be very good indeed.' Sir Basil sipped at his beer. 'I think
you have reservations.'
'I do, but . . . hell, Basil, when do we not have reservations?'
'Any contrary data?'
'None, just that we've been totally unable to confirm. Our source is good enough
that we may not be able to confirm elsewhere. That's why 1 came over. Your guy
must be pretty good, too, judging by what you've sent us. Whoever he is, he
might be the best chance to back our guy up.'
'And if we can't confirm?'
'Then probably we'll go with it anyway.' Ryan didn't like that.
'And your reservations?'
'Probably don't matter. Two reasons. Number one, I'm not sure myself whether to
sign off on this or not. Number two, not everyone cares what 1 think.'
'And that's why you've not received credit for your work on the treaty?'
Ryan grinned rather tiredly, having not had much steep in the preceding