“Get me on a secure line to my headquarters at MacDill and it will be made clear to you, Colonel.”
The two looked into each other’s eyes for a long minute.
“Do what he says, Carlos,” Svetlana said softly.
Castillo turned to Lester Bradley, and ordered: “Give the air pistol to Uncle Remus, Lester, and get a secure line to MacDill.”
“Aye, aye, sir. Where will the general be calling from?”
“Mexico City,” Naylor said. “I wish to speak with my deputy, General Albert McFadden, USAF.”
Lester looked at Castillo for permission, and when Castillo nodded, said, “Aye, aye, sir.”
“And put it on the loudspeaker,” Naylor said.
“Office of the Deputy Commander, Central Command. Sergeant Major Ashley speaking, sir.”
“This line is secure,” Lester announced. “General Naylor calling for General McFadden.”
“One moment, please.”
“Hello, boss. Where the hell are you?”
“Mexico City, Albert. And you know why I’m here.”
“Yes, sir. I do.”
Naylor moved to the map on the wall.
“What’s the Navy got, capable of refueling four UH-60Ms, in the area of eighteen degrees north latitude, eighty-five degrees west longitude? I need it there no later than tomorrow.”
“What the hell is going on, Allan?”
“Don’t ask questions, please. Answer mine, but don’t ask any. And this conversation goes no further than your ears. Understand?”
“Yes, sir. Just a moment, General.”
“I can have the USS Bataan at that point by sixteen-hundred hours, sir.”
“Tell me about the Bataan.”
“It’s a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship,” General McFadden said.
“I know the class. That’ll do fine. Make sure it’s on station as of oh-eight-hundred tomorrow. Alert them, Top Secret, to be prepared to receive and fuel four UH-60Ms.”
“Yes, sir. Sir, I’m guessing this is a black operation?”
“About as black as it can get. Hold one, Albert,” General Naylor said, and turned to McNab.
“General McNab, I presume the four UH-60Ms will be coming from Fort Campbell?”
“Yes, sir,” McNab said, and joined Naylor at the map.
“Where’s the best jumping-off place for them to fly out to the Bataan, would you say?”
“Sir, can we use the Navy base at Key West?” McNab asked.
“General, I’m the commander in chief of Central Command. Of course we can use NAS Key West. Albert?”