The Sum of All Fears.pdf - Delta Force

myself, okay? I'm not sure what screwed up the initial estimate, but I have been
there and I'm telling you it was a little one. It also seems to have been a
fizzle. We're trying to ascertain more about that now – but this is the
important part, okay? The bomb material was definitely American in origin. One
hundred percent sure.'
Rosselli leaned over to make sure that this phone line was a secure one into FBI
headquarters. 'Wait a minute. Sir, this is Captain Jim Rosselli, U.S. Navy. I
have a masters in nuclear physics. Just to make sure this is what I'm hearing, I
want you to give me the 239/240 proportions, okay?'
'Wait a minute and I will . . . Okay, 239 was nine eight point nine three; 240
is zero point four five. You want the trace elements also?'
'No, that'll do it. Thank you, sir.' Rosselli looked up and spoke quietly.
'Either he's telling the truth or he's one smart fuckin' liar.'
'Captain, I'm glad you agree. I need you to do something.'
'What's that?'
'I need to get on the Hot Line.'
'I can't allow that.'
'Captain, have you been keeping track of the messages?'
'No, Rocky and I haven't had time. We've got three separate battles going on and
– '
'Let's go look.'
Ryan hadn't been in there before, which struck him as odd. The printed copies of
the messages were being kept on a clipboard. There were six people in the room,
and they all looked ashen.
'Christ, Ernie – ' Rosselli observed.
'Anything lately?' Jack asked.
'Nothing since the President sent one out twenty minutes ago.'
'It was going fine when I was here right after – oh, my God . . .' Rosselli
observed as he got to the bottom.
'The President has lost it,' Jack said. 'He refuses to take information from me,
and he refuses to listen to Vice President Durling. Now, this is real simple,
okay? I know President Narmonov. He knows me. With what the FBI just gave us,
what you just heard, Captain, I think I might be able to accomplish something.
If not – '
'Sir, that is not possible,' Rosselli replied.
'Why?' Jack asked. Though his heart was racing, he forced himself to control his
breathing. He had to be cool be cool be cool now.
'Sir, the whole point of this link is that the only two people on it are – '
'One of them, maybe both now, is not playing with a full deck. Captain, you can
see where we are. I can't force you to do this. I'm asking you to think. You
just used your head a moment ago. Use it again,' Ryan said calmy.
'Sir, they'll lock us up for doing this,' the Link supervisor said.
'You have to be alive to be locked up,' Jack said. 'We are at SNAPCOUNT right
now. You people know how serious this is. Captain Rosselli, you are the senior
officer present, and you make the call.'
'I see everything you put on that machine before it's transmitted.'
'Fair enough. Can I type it myself?'