Robert Ludlum - The Parcifal Mosaic.txt

by The Parcifal Mosaic [lit]

  Matthias, as the President has described these so-called nuclear aggression

  pacts, they contain extraordinary and extraordinarily classified

  information. Locations, megatonnage, detailed delivery capabilities,

  launching codes-even abort systems. From what I can gather, the gates of

  the arsenals of the two superpowers and their runner-up in China have been

  opened; the most secret hardware in each camp is there for anyone to see

  who reads the agreements." Pierce turned to the soldier. 'Vbat would be the

  Pentagon~s recommendation if a similar Sino-Soviet pact against us were

  brought in by clandestine services, General?"

  "Launch," answered Halyard flatly. "There'd be no alternative."

  "Only if you were convinced it was authentic," interjected Brooks.

  "I'd be convinced," said the general. "So would you be. Who else but men

  with access to that information could include it? Also, there are the

  projected dates. I'd be damned convinced."

  "When you say the Soviets are elliptical," said the statesman, "I concur

  wholeheartedly, but how do you mean it in the current sense?"

  "They threw phrases at me--disjointed non sequiturs- 5WRoi3ERT LuDLum

  watching me to see if I'd pick up on any. We've been confronting each other

  for a number of years now, whether in Vienna or Bern or New York; you get to

  spot even concealed reactions."

  "But they flrst told you they knew Matthias was insane," said,Berquist.

  "That was their opening, wasn't it?"

  "Yes, sir. I don't think I used the exact words before. I win now. I was in

  the Soviet ambassadoes office at his requestsummons, really-along with his

  senior aide. Frankly, I thought he'd asked to see me so we might work out

  a compromise on the Pan-Arab resolution, but instead be greeted me with a

  statement that could only refer to Matthias: 'We understand from a most

  reliable source that a holiday has been extended because the mental

  condition of the vacationer has deteriorated to a point beyond recovery.'"

  "What was your reply?" asked Brooks. "The exact words, please."

  " Tbe Russian compulsion for brooding, self-serving fantasy is no different

  now from what it was when Dostoyevsky described it.' Those were my exact

  words."

  "Provocative yet insouciant," said the statesman. "Very good .

  "Thaes when the fireworks started. 'He's madl' shouted the ambassador.

  'Matthias is madl He's done insane things, undermined what's left of

  d6tente.' Then his aide joined in, demanding to know where the next

  meetings were being beld~ which unstable governments Matthias had been in

  contact with, and whether they knew he was insane, or was a madman sending

  out secret communications, concealing his insanity from the people he was

  reachingP What frightens me, Mr. President, Mr. Ambassador, General

  Halyard, is that they described what you7ve described to me. If I

  understood correctly, Matthias has been doing just that for the past six

  months. Reaching unstable regimes, instant prime ministers, revolutionary

  juntas we shoulMt be touching."

  'flat's where the Soviets got their information, of course," !aid Berquist.

  "They think a demented Matthias is implementing a number of his well-known

  'geopolitical realities! Moving in on them.'

  "They think far more than that, sir," corrected Pierce. "Mey believe he may

  have funneled nuclear materials to extremist regimes and fanatic

  camps-Islamic, for example,

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  or Afghan, or anti-Soviet Arab factions-we've all agreed shouldn't have

  them. Theyre paranoid about it. We can protect ourselves from each other by

  the sheer magnitude of our arsenals, but neither of us can protect ourselves

  from an irrational partisan junta or sect that possesses launch and nuclear

  capability. Actually, we're far safer; we're separated by oceans. Strategic

  Russia is part of the Euro-Asian land mass; Its borders are vulnerable if

  only by proximity to potential enemies. If I read them correctly, it's these

  concerns that are pushing them toward the panic button."

  "But not Parsifal," said Brooks. "In your judgment, the man we call

  Parsifal has not made contact with Moscow.-

  "I can't rifle anything out," said Pierce. "There were so many phrases,

  threats, implications-as I said, elliptical references. For instance, they

  mentioned 'next meetings,' 'unstable governments,' 'nuclear materials.' All

  of these-again, if I understood correctly-are actually a part of these

  agreements. If I could study them I'd be able to spot parallels with the

  original texts." Ile undersecretary paused, then spoke quietly, firmly. "I

  think it's possible this Parsifal has made contact, delivering provocative

  hints, perhaps nothing more. And I think i1!s urgent that we know even

  this."

  "He wants to blow us all up," said the President. "My God, that!s all he

  wants to do."

  "The sooner I can get to Poole's Island, Mr.-" Pierce was interrupted by

  the humming of the white telephone on the white dais, a red light flashing

  on its miniaturized console. Berquist picked it up. "Yes?'

  The President listened in silence for nearly thirty seconds, then answered,

  nodding, I understand. Let me know what happens as soon as it happens." He

  replaced the phone and turned to the 'Others. "That was Havelock. He won't

  get here this afternoon."

  "What is happening?" asked the general.

  "Too many things for him to leave the phone."

  "I'm sorry," said Arthur Pierce. "I wanted to meet him. I think it's vital

  we stay in touch. I can tell him what's going on with the Soviets and he

  can keep me up-to-date. I have to know when to press forward, when to back

  off."

  "You'll be kept informed; he has his orders from me. They lost the

  pathologist."

  "Damn/" exploded the general.

  562 RoBERT LuDLum

  "He either picked up the surveillance or, knowing things were out of

  control, decided to disappear."

  "Or was ordered to disappear," added the statesman.

  naes what I can't understand," said Berquist, turning to the silent

  undersecretary of State. "The Russians gave you no indication that they

  were aware of any Soviet involvement in this whole damn thing? They didn't

  mention the Costa Brava or Rostov's cable to us?"

  "No, sir. That may be the one advantage we have. We know, but they don't."

  'Rostov knows," insisted the President.

  "Then be's too frightened to act," replied Pierce. "It's often the case

  with entrenched KGB personnel; they're never sure whose toes they may be

  stepping on. Or if he is searching, he's not getting anywhere."

  "Yoifre talking as though we were speaking about two different Moscows,"

  objected Halyard.

  "I agree with Havelock," said the mole. "We are. And until the Moscow that

  wants to get its hands on Matthias's documents succeeds, the one I'm

  dealing with speaks for the Kremlin. That won't be the case otherwise. Ies

  all the more reason why Ive got to be kept current. if Havelock caught even

  one man we could trace to that other Moscow, it would be leverage. I could

  use it."

  "He's already told us," i
nterrupted Brooks. "A branch of Soviet

  intelligence known as the VKR. Rostov as much as admitted it."

  Pierce looked bewildered. "I didn~t bear that mentioned.-

  "Perhaps I overlooked it," said Berquist.

  "In any event, it's too general. The VKR is a consolidation of many units.

  rd need specifies. Which unit? Which direotors?,

  "You may get them."

  "I beg your pardon, sir?" Pierce's gold-plated pen was suspended above his

  notes.

  "Ies one of the things that's keeping Havelock at Sterile Five.-

  "Sterile Five . .

  "They may have lost this Shippers, but Havelock expects that whoever gave

  him orders will send men up to Maryland to find out who Matthew Randolpys

  been working with. He's got his own people in place with orders to wound

  and

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  take.. As I told you, the doctor hed about MacKenzies death but for the

  wrong reasons."

  "Yes, I know." Pierce looked down at his notes as be replaced the pen

  inside the coat of his dark pinstriped suit. "It helps me to write things

  out; I didrft expect to take these with me."

  "rm glad," said the President. "I wouldn't have let you.

  . You7ve got a lot to think about, Mr. Undersecretary, and ~oi much time.

  How do you plan to handle the Soviets?"

  "Cautiously," replied the mole. "With your permission, rd like to

  substantiate a part of what they told me."

  "Yoere out of your mind," said Halyard."

  "Please, General, only a very minor part. They obviously have a fairly

  accurate source, so to deny the whole would only make them more suspicious,

  more hostile. We can't af ford that now. In the Presidenes words, we have

  to contain them as much as possible for as long as possible."

  "How do you think you can do it?" asked Berquist, his eyes wary.

  "By admitting that Matthias, collapsed from exhaustion. Everything else has

  been exaggerated way out of proportion to the medical diagnosis, which is

  of minor consequence. He's been ordered to rest for several weeks; that' s

  all. The rest is rumor and wild gossip, the sort of thing that goes with a

  man like Matthias. Don't forget, they have their memories of Stalin; they

  can't dismiss them. By the time Stalin was dead most of Moscow believed be

  was certifiably insane."

  "Excellent," interjected Ambassador Brooks.

  'Mey can't dismiss the other sources," said Halyard, obviously wanting to

  agree but the strategist in him prohibiting it. "The leaks from unstable

  regimes-instant prime ministers, or whatever you called them. Matthias

  reached them."

  Then they have to be more specific with me. I think I can handle them case

  by case. At the least, they'd have to confer with Moscow, double-check the

  origins. Every case could buy us time." Pierce stopped, turning to

  Berquist. "And time, Mr. President, is what's on my mind now. I think the

  sooner I get back to New York and ask-no, demand-a meeting with the Soviet

  ambassador, the better chance I have of pushing their hands away from the

  buttons. I do believe they'll listen to me. I can't guarantee how long, but

  for a while-a few days, a week-they wilL"

  5MROBERT LuDLum

  "Which prompts the obvious question," said the statesman, his well-tailored

  elbows on the table, his slender bands folded beneath his ebin. "Why do you

  think they contacted you and not the more direct, crisis-oriented channels

  in Washington?"

  "I'd like to know that too," added Berquist. "Tbere~s a phone never more

  than fifty feet away from me for such contingencies."

  Arthur Pierce did not reply at first, his eyes shifting back and forth

  between the President and the ambassador. "It!s difficult for me to answer

  that without appearing arrogant or overly ambitious, and I don1 believe I'm

  either."

  "We'll accept that," said Berquist. "Just give us your opinIon."

  "With all due respect to our ambassador in New York-and rm sincere; he has

  an extremely likable presence, which is terribly important, and he's had an

  outstanding career in government-2'

  "Had," the President broke in. "He's a soft bush in a high wind, but the

  roots are deep. He's there because of his lovable presence, and the fact

  that he doesn't make a goddamn decision. Well accept that, too. Go on."

  "The Soviets know you appointed me-at Matthias's request-to be the State

  Department!s spokesman. To be your spokesman, sir."

  "And the spokesman for Anthony Matthias," said Brooks, nodding his head.

  "Which assumes a close relationship with our Secretary of State."

  "I enjoyed such a relationship until a number of months ago-when,

  apparently, all relationships were terminated by his illness."

  "But they think you still have it," observed Halyard. "And why the hell

  not? You're the closest thing we could have there except Matthias."

  `Thank you, General. Basically, I think they came to me because they

  thought I'd know if there was any substance to the Matthias rumors. The

  madness."

  "And if they thought you knew but were lying, what would be their

  response?"

  "They'd disregard the hot line, Mr. President. They'd put the world on

  nuclear alert.-

  "Get back to New York and do what you can. 111 make

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  the security arrangements for you to get down to Poole's Island. Study those

  agreements until you know them word for word."

  The paminyatchik rose from the dais, leaving his unnecessary notes behind.

  The limousine passed through the VVhite House gates as Arthur Pierce shot

  forward in the seat, his hand gripping the strap, and, in a harsh voice,

  spoke to the driver assigned to him by the Department of State. "Get me to

  a phone booth as fast as you can."

  "The mobile phones in working order, sir. It's in the case in the center of

  the floor." The driver removed his right hand from the wbeel- and gestured

  at the black leather receptacle behind him. "Just pull up on the latch."

  "I don't care to use this phonel A booth, please."

  "Sorry, sir, just trying to be helpful."

  The undersecretary checked himself. "I apologize. Ies those mobile

  operators; they can take forever, and I'm in a great hurry."

  "Yeah, I've heard that complaint before." The driver accelerated briefly,

  only to apply the brakes seconds later. "There's one, sir. On the comer."

  Pierce got out of the car and walked rapidly to the glass booth, coins in

  his hand. Inside, he pulled the door shut, inserted a quarter and dialed.

  "Your trip?" he asked curtly.

  "Smooth flight. Go, ahead."

  "Has the detail left for Maryland?"

  "About fifteen minutes ago."

  "Stop theml"

  "How?"

  The paminyatchik bit his lip. There could be no mobile phones for them, no

  system where numbers could be recorded. He had only one question left

  before issuing the order. "Is there any way you can reach them once they're

  on the premises? Any way at all?"

  The initial silence was his answer. "Not the way it's orchestrated," was

  the quiet reply.

  "Send a second detail immediately. Police vehicle, automatic weapons,<
br />
  silencers. Kill them; kill them all. No one must be left alive."

  "You sent theml"

  566 ROBERT LuDLum

  "Ies a trap."

  "Oh, Christ. . . Are you sure?"

  "I've just left the N"ite House."

  A low whistle was the astonished response. "It really paid off, didn't it?"

  "They had no choice. As we say over here, I bad all the marbles and I was

  shooting from the top of the circle. I'm inside. There's also something

  else."

  "What?"

  "Reach Mother. Rostov's centered in on Victor. Find out how deep;

  elimination must be considered."

  Loring walked down the steps of the Pentagon thinking about Lieutenant

  Commander Thomas Decker. He was not sure what Havelock was looking for, but

  be was fairly certain he did not have it. After having read Decker's

  complete service record, including endless evaluation and fitness reports

  over at the Department of the Navy, Charley bad decided to pull in a few

  debts owed him at the Pentagon. On the pretext that the officer was being

  considered for a sensitive embassy position that required tact and a fair

  degree of personality, be called on several friends in Army intelligence and

  said be needed a few confidential interviews. Could they help and did they

  remember when be had helped them? They could and they did.

  Five people-each held accountable for confldentialitywere brought

  separately to meet with him for informal, very-off-tbe-record

  conversations. There were three fellow naval officers who bad served with

  Decker aboard the submarine Starfire, a secretary who bad worked in his

  office for six months, and a marine who was on his Nuclear Committee team.

  Havelock had said Decker was a liar. If be was, Loring bad found no

  evidence to support this characterization. He was, if anything, something

  of a moralizer, who bad run a tight ship on the basis of strict

  Judeo-Christian principles to the point where be read the Lessons at each

  weekly interdenominational religious service he insisted be part of the

  Starfire's schedule. His reputation was that of a firm but fair skipper;

  like Solomon, he weighed all sides of an issue before rendering a decision,

  which be then proceeded to justify on the basis of what he bad heard. As a

  fellow officer put it, one

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