Chapter 5 Chapter 3 Gray Files

One of Handley's strengths was that most of his resources were operating elsewhere, and he didn't need a salary, housing, or food.The taxpayers paid for all his expenses without knowing it.Recent developments in the international terrorist community have brought the two main intelligence agencies of the United States, the CIA and the NSA, to work together more closely than ever.Because the one-hour drive between the two is quite inconvenient, passing the northern section of the outer ring road in DC is like driving through a department store parking lot during the Christmas holidays, so the distance between the two is mostly through the NSA headquarters building to the CIA roof. Communications over a secure microwave link, which passed unnoticed through the roof of the Handley facility during its transmission.It doesn't matter if someone notices, because the microwave circuit is encrypted.Encryption is necessary because microwaves leak out during transmission for various technical reasons.The laws of physics can be discussed again, but there is no way to change them to meet current needs.

Using a compression algorithm not unlike that of a personal computer, microwave communication channels are so wide that a copy of the King James Bible can be transmitted from one building to another in seconds.The lines are always open and transmitting, but mostly nonsense or random letters to confuse anyone trying to break the microwave code; however, the system utilizes a tap-dancing system for encryption, So absolutely safe, at least that's what the computer whiz at the NSA claimed.The tap dancing system is encrypted with a set of discs compressed with completely randomly changing signals, so unless you have a way of cracking a code made of radio noise in the atmosphere, take it for granted.Each week a security guard from the Handley Agency, accompanied by two other security guards who were randomly selected from among the security guards, drove to Fort Meade to pick up the week's CDs.These discs will be put into the disc case and stuffed into the decoding machine. When each used disc is ejected, it will be taken to the microwave oven to be destroyed. This is also done under the supervision of three security guards. I have been trained in the army for many years, so I don't ask any questions.

This somewhat tedious process gave the Handley Agency a glimpse into all the activities of the two intelligence units, and since both were government units, they recorded everything, gaining from undercover agents There are mysterious meat prices in restaurants in the Supply Bureau. Handley's staff is not interested in much or even most of the information. Almost all the information will be stored in high-density storage media, and a directory has also been established in the Sun computer mainframe. If necessary, this mainframe The computing power is powerful enough to manage all the data in the whole country.This allows Handley staff to see what those two intelligence units have been up to, as well as the highest level analysis of many areas by experts, and then pass on these materials or reports to others for their opinions or further analysis.The NSA is getting better at this than the CIA, at least according to Handley's own top analysts.On a single issue, three cobblers are often better than one, until the analysis starts to spin and stall; this is a problem that everyone in the intelligence community knows and knows.The CIA and NSA began receiving FBI analyses, as Handley, the newly formed Department of Homeland Security, believed he would vote against the creation of the department and join the intelligence exchange.Things like this are usually made more complicated by the complex bureaucratic system at work, and the fact that FBI agents approach raw intelligence is somewhat different.They're mostly thinking about how to build a crime out of this raw intelligence and present it to a jury, and when you look at the analysis, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Each unit has its own way of thinking, the FBI is the police, they have their model; extremely rare.On the other hand, the NSA simply collects intelligence, analyzes it, and then passes it on to others; who does what with it is beyond the authority of the NSA. Handley's director of analytical intelligence was named Jerome.Lanz, or Jerry to his friends, had a doctorate in psychology from Penn State University and had worked for the State Department's Office of Intelligence Research.After leaving the State Department, he moved to Kidd | Peabody Financial Company as a different form of analyst in order to get a higher salary.Senator Handley saw him personally at a lunch in New York.Lanz himself made a name for himself in the trading house as a mind-reading expert. Although he made a lot of money for himself, when his children's education funds were safe and he bought his own yacht , he found that the importance of money to him was slowly disappearing, so he left Wall Street, prepared himself, and accepted the offer Handley gave him four years ago.His duties include figuring out what is going on in the minds of other international traders, one of the skills he learned in New York.He and Sam.Working closely with Granger, who is the director of foreign exchange trading at the campus and also the director of operations.

When Jerry.When Lanz walked into Granger's office, it was almost the end of get off work.The job of Jerry and his 30-member staff was to go through all the downloads from the CIA and NSA. Not only had they been able to speed-read, but they had to have a keen intelligence sense, and Lanz himself was like a bloodhound. keen. Check out this stuff.While talking, Lanz put a piece of paper on Granger's desk and found a seat to sit down. Mossad lost a station master?Well, how did that happen? The local police thought it was a robbery, the murder weapon was a knife, the wallet was missing, and there was no obvious struggle.Apparently he was unarmed at the time.

In a place as civilized as Rome, why bother?Granger thought.But they will carry weapons now, at least for a while.How do we know this? In the local papers, an Israeli embassy official was killed while using the bathroom.The local CIA station chief identified the dead man as an intelligence officer, and some on Langley's side were racking their brains to figure out what was going on. They might fall into the simplification of the problem and accept the local police's point of view.Someone died, the wallet disappeared, the robbery, the thief made a little money. Do you think the Israelites would believe this?Granger was puzzled.

Probably wait until the main course of dinner at the embassy is on the table to become suspicious.He'd been stabbed between the first and second vertebrae, street thugs would more likely have stabbed him to the throat, and hitmen knew that would make blood squirt and make noise.The Italian police are investigating the case, but it doesn't sound like they have a clue to go any further, unless someone in the restaurant has an excellent memory.I don't have much hope for that at all. So what's going on in all this? No matter which unit, when was the last time a station master was killed?Lanz leaned back in his chair as he spoke.

It's been a while.The CIA lost one in Greece. The local terrorists did it. It was an informer from some bastard, or one of their own people. Then they defected and went to the other side. I guess he is probably drinking alone there alone now. with vodka.The Brits also lost a guy in Yemen a few years ago.Granger paused for a moment. You're right, there's not much to be gained from killing an intelligence station master.Once you know who he is, you keep an eye on him and find out who his informants or underlings are.If you kill him, it means losing resources instead of earning assets.Maybe this is to convey some kind of message to Israel?

Did Mossad ask for our help?Granger knew it all too well, Mossad was like a kid in a sandbox who never and never would share toys with other kids.They only turn to help when: 1) they are completely desperate, and 2) they are persuaded that someone else has something to offer that they could never get themselves.At this time, they will act like a prodigal son who turns back. They won't admit that this guy named Gringold is a member of Mossad.It might help the Italian police a little bit if they admit it, and they can get counterintelligence involved, but as far as Langoli knows, there is no evidence that Mossad has told the Italians.

Langley may not think about it. Granger is very clear, and Lanz is also very clear. Granger can see this from Lanz's eyes.The reason why the CIA doesn't think that way is because intelligence work has become so civilized that you don't kill other people's people, because that's not good for the job, it just forces them to do the same to your people.Besides, if you wage guerrilla warfare on the streets of some foreign city, no real work gets done.Your job is to pass information back to your government, not to count how many people you killed by the notch on the grip of your pistol.Therefore, the Italian police will consider this case to be a street crime, because people in the diplomatic circle will not violate people from other countries. This is guaranteed by international contracts, and it can also be traced back to the tradition of the Persian Empire King Xerxes.

Well, Jerry, you're a man in training.Granger said thoughtfully, what do you think? I think there's a haunting ghost at work, maybe.This Mossard guy had lunch and two glasses of good wine at a fancy restaurant in Rome, probably on his way to pick up intelligence from a drop point there.I checked the map, and the restaurant is some distance from the embassy, ​​a little far for lunch alone, unless this guy named Gringold likes jogging, and even then, the time is not right.So, unless he really likes Chef Giovanni's cooking that much, it's possible that the place was a drop-off point, or some sort of meeting place.If this is the case, he was designed, not only designed to allow the opponent to identify him, let alone who the opponent may be, but also to let him kill him after being recognized.To the local police, it might have looked like a robbery; to me, it looked like a well-planned assassination, professionally executed.The victim loses mobility in an instant, and there is no chance to make any resistance at all. If you want to kill an intelligence agent, this is the most suitable way; you will never know how strong the other party's self-defense ability is.If I'm an Arab, I'm not going to take any chances if I'm targeting a Mossad guy.No pistols, so as not to leave anything that could be used as physical evidence at the scene, no bullets, and no magazines.His purpose in taking the wallet was to make the case look like a robbery, and he killed one of Mossad's resident intelligence agents, probably in order to send a message to Mossad.It's not that he doesn't like Mossad, but that he can kill them as easily as zipping. Are you planning to write a book for the suspect?jerry.Granger asked playfully.The chief analyst only got some decent information, so he made up a whole series at eight o'clock. Lanz just touched his nose and smiled and said: Since when did you start to believe in coincidence?There is something really wrong with this news. What does Langley think? Not yet.They handed this information to Nanouke for analysis. It is expected that we will see something in about a week, but we won't say much.I know the guy in charge of that department. Is he stupid? No, it's not fair to say that.He's smart enough, but he doesn't take risks and isn't very creative.I bet this case never made it to the seventh floor. There is a new director of the CIA to replace Edward.Foley, Edward is retired and is said to be writing an autobiography of what happened to me with his wife Mary Fu.Everything had been going well for the CIA during their presidency, and the new director was a politically charismatic judge who was well liked by President Kiltie and who would do nothing without his permission.In other words, any action would have to go through a mini-bureaucratic process by a White House National Security Council panel whose secrecy is about the same as the Titanic that hit an iceberg, so it is loved by the media.The Operations continued to grow in size, and new field agents were still being trained at the Bureau's Training Academy, nicknamed The Farm, in Tidewater, Virginia.The new Chief of Operations wasn't a bad guy, Kirti was a bit annoyed that Congress insisted on filling the position with someone who knew how to run field operations, but he knew how to play Congress.The Operations Division may grow to an appropriate size. Under the existing system, the Operations Division will definitely not do anything deviant.Nothing will upset Congress, nor will it give those who hold grudges against the intelligence community a chance to spout old stories, big conspiracy theories, or the CIA causing Pearl Harbor or the San Francisco earthquake such remarks. So, you estimate that in this case, there will be no action at all.Granger asked, although he already knew the answer. Mossad would look around and tell their men to stay on their toes, and this would last about a month or two, and then most of them would settle down and go back to normal.The same goes for other intelligence agencies.Mainly the Israeli side, they will try to find out why their people are exposed.It is difficult for us to guess what is going on based on the information we have. It may be very simple, and it is usually the same.It could be that he recruited the wrong person and was bitten back by that guy; it could be that their code was cracked, such as a password manager in the embassy was bribed; People who shouldn't be talking have said a few more words.The possibilities are many, Sam.It only takes one wrong step and someone out there gets killed, and even the best of us can make that mistake. This is something that should be put into the training manual of street behavior, telling newcomers what can and cannot be done.Of course, he himself has acted on the streets, but most of them were in libraries and banks. The information he collected was so boring that even the dust seemed more interesting, but occasionally he could find treasures among the piles of information. .He just kept hiding under the cover identity, until everything in that identity became like his own. Until there is another slip up on the street where another spy is.Lanz muses that then we'll know if there's really a ghost at work. The Avianca flight from Mexico arrived in Cartagina five minutes early.He took Austrian Airlines to London Heathrow Airport, then flew to Mexico City with British Airways, and finally flew to the South American country with Colombian Airlines.It was an old American-made Boeing, but he was not one to worry about the safety of air travel. There were far greater dangers in the world.When he arrived at the hotel, he unpacked his luggage, took out his planner, walked out, and saw a public phone that allowed him to make calls. Please tell Pablo that Miguel is here thank you.After finishing speaking, he walked to a small hotel and prepared to have a drink.Mohammed found that the local beer wasn't bad.Although it was against his beliefs, he had to do as the Romans do because everyone here has a drink or two.After sitting there for fifteen minutes, he walked back to the hotel, checking repeatedly to see if anyone was following him, but found none.So if he is really being followed, it must be an expert, and he has almost no way to deal with such an expert, especially in a foreign city where everyone speaks Spanish and no one knows in which direction Mecca is .He held a British passport, which said his name was Nigel.Hutchins, from London, really has a one-story apartment at the address recorded in his passport.Even if you run into the police's routine inspection, there will be no problem, but there is no cover identity that is always effective. If you do encounter that moment, you will have to admit it.You can't live in the days of fear of the unknown. Once you make a plan and take the necessary precautions, then it's time to do what you should do. It's very interesting.The Spaniards were the enemies of Islam in ancient times, and the country of Colombia is mostly composed of descendants of the Spaniards.But there were people in this country who hated America almost as much as he did, because America was to them a huge source of revenue from cocaine, just as America was a source of huge oil revenue from his home country.His personal wealth is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, which are stored in many banks in many countries in the world, such as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the newly joined Bahamas.Of course he could afford his own private jet, it's just that it would make him too easy to spot, and he was pretty sure it would be too easy to be shot down at sea.Muhammad despised the United States very much, but he was not blind enough to turn a blind eye to the strength of the United States. Too many outstanding talents went to heaven unexpectedly because they forgot this.Although that is not a bad end of life, his work is in the world, not in the underworld. hey capt. Brian.Caruso turned to see Hardesty.It was not yet seven o'clock in the morning, and Brian had just finished his routine exercise and three-mile morning run with the small group of Marines. Like his brothers, he also sweated a lot during the exercise. .He dismissed the brethren first to shower, and was on his way back to his officers' quarters when he met Hardesty.Before he could say anything, a more familiar voice called him. team leader?The captain looked back and saw Gunnery Sergeant Sullivan, his senior non-commissioned officer. What's the matter, Master Chief?The guys on the team played really well this morning. Yes, sir.You didn't fuck us too hard, nice of you, sir.said the Master Chief. How is Corporal Ward doing?That's why Brian didn't fuck them too hard.Although Ward said he is ready to accept the test, but after all, he has just recovered from a serious injury. He's panting a bit, but it doesn't bother us, and Medic Randyll will keep an eye on him.You know, he's pretty good for a sailor.The Gunnery Chief admitted.The Marines are usually warm to their Marine brethren, especially those who have fought with them in armed reconnaissance missions. Sooner or later the SEAL team would invite him to Coronado (the SEAL team training base south of San Diego). That's right, captain, and then we'll have to retrain another sailor. looking for me?Sergeant.Brian asked. Sir, here he is.Hi Mr. Hardesty, just heard you're coming to see our boss.Excuse me, Captain. no problem.See you in an hour, Master Chief. Yes, sir.After Sullivan saluted beautifully, he went back to the barracks. He's a great sergeant.Hadest spoke his mind. One by one.Brian agreed that the Marines were run by people like them and they just put up with people like me. How about having breakfast together?captain. I have to take a shower first, but that's okay. What's on your schedule today? Today is an indoor lesson on communications to make sure we can all call in air or artillery support. Don't they know how to do it? You know how a baseball team goes to batting drills before every game, with a batting coach on hand?They all know how to swing a club, right? I understand.The reason these things are called basics is because these things are really basic.These fellow Marines, like baseball players, would not object to the basics of the day.After being on the battlefield once, they all learned how important the basics are. It was not far to walk to Officer Bryan's quarters.While the young officer went to take a shower, Hardesti made himself some coffee and found a newspaper to read.The coffee was good enough for a bachelor's place, and the newspaper, as usual, didn't tell him much that he didn't know, except for last night's ball game results, but the comics always got him Have a good laugh. Ready for breakfast?asked the young man, his whole body was clean and fresh. How is the food here?Hardest stood up. Let's put it this way, it's hard for you to make a bad breakfast, right? That's right.Lead the way, Captain.Together they drove Brian's Mercedes-Benz C to the joint about a mile away.Knowing how to drive this kind of car, he was obviously single, Hardesty was relieved. I thought it would be a while before I saw you again.Brian said while manipulating the steering wheel. Or never see you again?the former special forces officer asked lightly. That is also true.sir. You passed the test. Hearing this, he couldn't help turning his head and asking: What exam?sir. I don't think you noticed.Hardest chuckled thoughtfully. Well, sir, you've managed to confuse me this morning.Brian was sure it was part of Hardesty's plan. There's an old saying: If you're not confused, you must be misguided. That sounds a little ominous.said Brian, turning right into the parking lot. possible.Hades got out of the car and followed the young officer into the building. It was a sprawling one-story building filled with hungry Marines.The dining room is filled with rows and rows of common American breakfast foods, ranging from cornflakes to roast meat and scrambled eggs, and even You can try the bagels (Kewish bagels) here, not all food is that good, sir.Brian reminded.He got himself a couple of English muffins and some whipped cream, and when it came to cholesterol and other troubles that come with age, he's obviously too young to worry about that.Hardest got himself a small box of corn rings, because he was old enough to worry about that, and, much to his annoyance, he was starting to need low-fat milk and sugar-free sweeteners, too.The coffee cups are huge, and surprisingly, the seats have a considerable degree of privacy. There are at least four hundred people here, ranging from corporals to colonels.The master led him to a table full of young non-commissioned officers. Well, Mr. Hardesty, what can I do for you? Number one, I know your classification level, top secret, right? Yes, sir.It's just a distinction between ranks, it shouldn't matter to you, right? Possibly, Hardesty conceded, well, what we're going to talk about, it's going to be higher than that, and you're not allowed to relay anything to anybody.Am I speaking clearly enough? Yes, sir, this is more than top secret, top secret or something, I understand.Actually, he doesn't know, Hades thought to himself.It's actually more secret than top secret, so I'll explain that on another occasion.Go ahead, sir. You get the attention of some pretty important people who are basically recruiting for a pretty, very special agency that doesn't actually exist.Like something you've seen or read or heard in a movie or a book before, but it's true, boy.The purpose of my coming here is to invite you to join that institution. Sir, I'm a Marine Corps officer and I like my job. That won't affect your future in the Marine Corps.In fact, you've been set for promotion to major and you'll get that letter next week, so you'll have to leave your current post anyway.If you are still in the Marine Corps, next month you will be transferred to the Marine Corps Command to join the intelligence and special operations team.You will be awarded the Silver Star for your service in Afghanistan. What about my people?I also applied for awards for them.The kid really cares about the symbol of that, Hadesty thought. Everyone who presented the award passed.You can return to the Marine Corps whenever you want.Your tenure and regular promotions will not be affected at all by this incident. How do you do this? We have some friends at the top.Brian's guest explained that it's the same for you, your salary will continue to be received from the Marine Corps, and you may need to arrange some account matters, which are just routine. What are the responsibilities of this new position?asked Brian. To serve your country, to do something that is necessary for national security, is to do it in some informal ways. What to do, can you explain clearly? Not now, nor can it be said here. Can you be less mysterious?Mr. Hardesty.I'm probably starting to understand what you're talking about and not being so surprised. The rules are not made by me.Hardest replied. CIA?Um? Not quite right, you will know when you come here.All I want to know now is whether it's good or bad.If you find the establishment not to your liking, feel free to leave at any time.Hardest promised, but this was not the proper place for a full explanation. When do I have to make a decision? Before you finish eating roasted pork and scrambled eggs. The answer made Brian put down the English muffin on the spot.Are you kidding me?He's had enough of being teased because of family ties. No, Captain, this is not a joke. The tone of the conversation is intentionally designed to be less threatening.A man like Brian, no matter how brave he may be, is somewhat uneasy in the face of the unknown, or rather the unknown unknown.His profession is dangerous enough, and the reason in your heart does not allow us to happily pursue danger, but their approach is usually to face the danger in a rational way, and the first step is to confirm what they have experienced Whether training and experience are appropriate for the task.Because of this, Hardest told Brian repeatedly and assured him that the safe haven of the US Marine Corps would always be open for him, waiting for his return.This is quite close to the truth, even if it is a little far from the goal of the young officer, it is close enough. How's your love life going, Captain. The question surprised him a bit, but he answered honestly: not settled yet, dated a few girls, but not in a serious relationship yet.Any questions? From a security point of view, most men cannot keep a secret from their wives.But girlfriends are an entirely different matter. Well, how dangerous is this job really going to be? Not that dangerous.Hadesti lied, and his lying skills were not so good that he could not blush or breathe. You know, I used to plan on staying in the Marines until I was at least a lieutenant colonel. The person at headquarters who evaluates you thinks you're good enough to be promoted to colonel, unless you've gone too far.Nobody thinks that's going to happen, but there are a lot of really good people out there who do have some outrageous situations.Hardest finished his corn rings and turned his attention to his coffee. It feels good to know that someone above me takes care of me.Brian said flatly. Like I said, you've been noticed.The Marine Corps is pretty good at finding and developing talent. So another group of people also took a fancy to me. That's right, Captain.What I want to offer you is an opportunity, you still have to find a way to prove your ability in the future.This challenge is carefully considered.It is difficult for young people, especially capable young people, to refuse this kind of challenge.Hardesty knew he had him. It's a long drive from Birmingham to Washington.Dominique spent the day on the road because he didn't like the cheap motels, but even a 5 a.m. departure didn't cut the time.He drives a white Mercedes C-Class sedan, similar to his brother's, but with luggage piled high in the back.Twice he was almost pulled over, but whenever a state trooper car saw his FBI identification card, they responded kindly, waved and drove away.The brotherhood among law enforcement agencies often lends a hand when it comes to speeding.It was already ten o'clock in the evening when he arrived in Arlington, Virginia. The luggage porter at the door of the hotel helped him unload his luggage, and then he took the elevator to his room on the third floor.The minibar in the room had a nice small bottle of white wine, which he drank off after his obligatory shower.Liquor and boring TV quickly made him drowsy, so after calling the switchboard to wake him up at 7 a.m. the next morning, he fell asleep with the help of HBO. Good morning.Gray.Handley said at 8:45 the next morning, coffee? thank you, sir.Little Jack poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down.Thank you for calling me back. Well, we've looked at your school grades, and your grades in Georgetown were just fine. How dare you not study hard for that kind of tuition, and it's not too difficult.John.Patrick.Wren II said.He took a sip of his coffee, wondering what he would hear when he came back. We're going to talk to you about the lower ranks.The former senator told him right away.He's never been the type to beat around the bush, which is one of the reasons why he and his visitor's father get on so well. Can you be more specific about what to do?Little Jack asked, his eyes lit up immediately. What do you know about the Handley Institute? That's what I've told you. Well, what I am about to tell you next cannot be reproduced anywhere.Not anywhere, you understand? Yes, sir.In such an instant, he understood everything clearly, and it couldn't be clearer.He guessed right, thought Young Jack.So fucking handsome. Your father was once one of my closest friends.I say once, because we can never see each other again, and we seldom even talk to each other for a word.Usually he's the one who calls here.A man like your father will never retire; never, anyway.Your father was one of the greatest intelligence agents who ever lived, and some of the things he did will never be recorded, at least not on government documents, and probably never will be.And by forever, I mean fifty years or so.Your father is writing his autobiography, and there are two editions, one that will be published in a few years, and one that won't see the light of day for decades, not even before he dies.That's what he asked for. Little Jack was shocked that his father was already planning for his death.His father died?It was something out of reach, something that took some effort to comprehend.good.It took him a lot of effort to say the word.Does my mother know about this? Maybe you don't know, you probably don't know.There are some things that aren't even on Langley's part, the government sometimes does things that don't get put into papers, and your father was lucky enough to step into things like that. how about you?asked little Jack. Handley leaned back in his chair and said in a philosopher's tone: The problem is that no matter what you do, someone will not like it.Like a joke, no matter how funny the joke is, someone will be offended.But among high-level people, when he is offended, he will not tell you face to face like other people, but will burst out in front of many media, not only making the matter public, but also accompanied by a lot of disapproval sound.The most common is that ambitious people will show their ugly face and put a knife in the back of someone who is older than you first.This is also because people at the top usually make policies based on what they think is right or wrong, which is called ego.The problem is, everyone's version of right and wrong is different, and some people's version is even completely different. In the case of our current president, Ed told me once in the Senate lounge that he opposed the death penalty to such an extent that he was going to execute Adolf.He couldn't stand Hitler.That was after a few drinks, and when he drank, he became more nagging, unfortunately, he really drank too much that day.When he told me this, I joked with him, don't mention this in your speech because the Jews not only have a lot of votes, but also have a lot of influence, they won't take your words as deep in their hearts principle, it would be regarded as a serious insult.Simply put, there are a lot of people who are against the death penalty, well, I can't agree with that, but I can respect that notion.The downside of being against the death penalty, however, is that you can't deal decisively with those who hurt, sometimes seriously, without violating your own principles and, for some, no conscience or politics. Allow them to do so.令人遺憾的事實是，法律的合法訴訟程序永遠不是那麼有效率，尤其是在出了我們邊界的情況下，在少數時候，就算在我們國內也會有這種事。 好啦，這對美國有什麼影響？中情局並不會殺人，從來就不會，至少從一九五○年以來就沒有過。艾森豪總統在運用中情局上面就很有技巧，在行使這方面權力上他表現得真的很出色，人民從來就不知道發生了什麼事，還以為他是個笨蛋，因為他從來不會幹那種在攝影機前面大跳戰舞的事。說得更中肯一點，那個年代跟今天迥然不同。當時是第二次世界大戰才剛過去不久，殺掉許多人，甚至是無辜的平民，還是大家都很熟悉的事，這種事多半發生在大規模的轟炸攻勢裡，漢德雷說明著，而那不過是達成任務的代價罷了。 那卡斯楚呢？ 那是約翰．甘迺迪總統和他弟弟羅伯在對付卡斯楚這件事上興致特別高昂。大部分人都認為豬玀灣事件的失敗丟盡了臉（譯註：美國中情局於一九六一年訓練支持一千四百名古巴流亡人士潛入古巴，期望能製造混亂推翻卡斯楚政權，不料於豬玀灣登陸時遭到古巴部隊抵抗，中情局承諾的空中支援亦不見蹤影，最後彈盡援絕以慘敗收場），我個人則認為那比較可能是因為人們看了太多詹姆斯．龐德的小說。在那個年代，謀殺這回事簡直是魅力十足，而今天我們卻稱此為反社會行為。漢德雷酸溜溜地說，問題是，第一，從書上讀這些事情比實際動手去做有意思多了；第二，如果沒有由訓練精良且衝勁十足的人去執行，這些事情做起來並沒有想像中那麼容易。這麼說吧，我猜他們搞清楚了這些事。當這些事情在公眾面前曝光，甘迺迪家族與這些事情的牽涉程度就被掩蓋掉，因為搞砸了坐在辦公室的總統交代他們去做的事情，中情局為此也付出了代價。福特總統的總統命令則為這些事情畫下句點，從此以後中情局再也不會蓄意殺掉某人了。 John.克拉克的事情怎麼說？小傑克問道，同時回想起那個傢伙的眼神。 他不能算是個例子。沒錯，他曾經不只一次殺過人，但他一直都非常小心，除非當時在戰術上有需要，他才會殺人。蘭格利方面的確允許他的人在外勤任務裡採取自衛行動，克拉克有那個天分讓每次事件都變成是戰術上有所需求。我見過克拉克一、兩次，但關於他大部分事情主要還是耳聞，他真的是個例外。現在他退休了，搞不好也會寫本書。就算他真的寫，也絕對不會完整地寫下事件的始末。克拉克一切都是照規矩來的，就像你老爸一樣。有時候，他雖然會把規則擴張來解釋，但就我所知，他從來沒有違反過規定，至少在他身為聯邦公務員時沒有過。漢德雷隨即更正了自己的說法。他曾和老約翰．雷恩就克拉克這個人有過一次長談，全世界只有他們兩個人知道故事完整的來龍去脈。 有一次，我告訴老爸，我不要變成像克拉克壞的那一面。 漢德雷微笑著說：那倒是一點也沒錯，不過你可以把妻子兒女的性命託付給克拉克。我們上次碰面時，你問了個有關克拉克的問題。我現在可以回答你那個問題了：如果他年輕一點的話，他會在這裡。漢德雷對他透露道。 你剛讓我知道了更多的一些事情。小傑克立刻說道。 我知道，你能過那樣子的生活嗎？ murder? 我可沒說得那麼白，對嗎？ 小傑克把他的咖啡杯放下說：我現在了解為什麼老爸說你很聰明。 你能接受你老爸當年也會殺過幾個人的事實嗎？ 我知道那件事，發生在我出生的那一夜，那已經成了我家的傳奇故事。在我爸當總統時，那些新聞媒體三不五時就把這件事提出來炒作一下，他們就好像碰到痲瘋或是什麼東西一樣，一而再、再而三地把這件事提出來。只不過痲瘋病至少還有藥醫。 我知道，這種事情拿到電影裡絕對是酷斃了，但在真實生活裡人們卻對這種事神經兮兮的。現實世界的問題在於，有時候不常，只不過是有時候你就是有需要去做那一類的事情，就像你父親發現在不只一次的場合裡發現的一樣，小傑克。他從來沒有退縮過，我猜他甚至因為這樣而做過噩夢，然而常他非這麼做不可時，他就做了。這是為什麼你還活著的緣故，也是為什麼許多其他人也還活著的原因。 我也知道潛艦那回事，因為那件事差不多算是公開了，但 還不只是那樣，你父親從來沒有為了要去找麻煩而出動，但是當麻煩找上他時，就像我說的，他會做他該做的事。 我有點記得，當攻擊我爸和我媽的那些人，也就是在我出生那一夜攻擊他們的那些人被處決時，我問過我媽這件事。你也知道，她並不是那麼熱中於將人處死這回事，但在那件事情上面，她卻不是那麼在乎。對此，她的心裡一直感覺不是很舒服，但我想你會說，她很清楚整個狀況的來龍去脈。至於我爸，你知道，他不是真的喜歡那麼做，但他也從來沒有為了那件事情掉過一滴眼淚。 你父親會拿著槍對準那傢伙，我的意思是指那個首領的頭，但他卻沒有扣下扳機。並不需要那麼做，所以他克制住了。如果是我碰上了那種狀況，好吧，我不知道會發生什麼。那實在是個困難的決定，但你父親做出正確的抉擇，一旦他擁有足夠的理由不那麼做時，他就不那麼做。 那就是克拉克先生所說的，我曾問過他，他說當時警察已經到場了，何必去費那個事？但我從來沒有真正相信過他這句話，因為那真的是很困難。我問過麥克．布萊儂，他說以一個平民來說，能在那種狀況下克制往自己實在是令人印象深刻，但他寧可留那傢伙一條命。這就是訓練吧，我猜。 我不確定克拉克是怎麼想的，他不算是個真正的殺手，他從來沒有為了好玩或金錢而殺人。也許當時他可能會饒了那傢伙的命吧。另一方面，一個受過訓練的警察也根本不該在那種情況下開槍。如果換成是你，你覺得你會怎麼做？ 除非當時人在現場，否則永遠都不會知道。小傑克回答道，我曾經把這件事從頭到尾想過一、兩次，我認為我老爸處理得還可以。 漢德雷點點頭說：你是對的，他對其他事情的處理方式也都很正確。譬如那個被他在腦袋開了一槍的傢伙，他必須要那麼做才能讓自己活下來。因此當你有那個選擇時，也只有一條路可選。 所以，到底漢德雷機構是做什麼的？ 我們蒐集情報並根據情報採取行動。 但你們不是政府的一部分。小傑克指出。 從技術上來說，不，我們不是。我們專門做些非得要有人去做不可的事情，都是些政府情報機構無法搞定的事情。 發生這種事的機率有多少？ 不太多，漢德雷立即回答，但那有可能改變，或者也有可能不會變。現在還很難說。 有多少次 你並不需要知道。漢德雷揚起眉毛回答他。 好吧，那我老爸對這地方知道些什麼？ 他就是那個說服我來成立這個機構的傢伙。 oh.就這麼一下子，整件事都清楚了。漢德雷揮別政治生涯就是為了要用一種絕對不會被表彰，也絕沒有回報的方式來報效國家。該死，難道他老爸有那個膽子來幹這種事？如果哪天你惹上麻煩的話？ 一個放在我私人律師處的保險箱裡有一百份總統特赦令，涵蓋了任何一件我們會去幹的非法行動，我的祕書在填寫特赦令時，會順便打上介於當時和你父親簽名那天之間的日期。那是他退職前一星期簽署的。 那樣做合法嗎？ 算是合法，漢德雷回答說，你老爸的司法部長，帕特．馬丁說這樣就可以了。雖然說這些文件如果被公諸於世的話，將會有十足的爆炸性。 爆炸性？什麼嘛，那根本是對國會山莊投下一枚核彈。小傑克說出自己的看法。事實上這麼說都還算是客氣的了。 所以我們這裡的行事都非常小心，我不會鼓勵我的人去做那些會讓他們啷噹入獄的事情。 因為那會讓他們的信用評等一落千丈。 我發現，你跟你父親一樣有幽默感。 沒辦法啊，先生，他是我老爸。do you know?那是除了藍眼睛跟黑頭髮以外的另一項遺傳。 學校成績顯示他的頭腦很好，漢德雷還看到他擁有跟他父親一樣好奇愛問的天性，以及抽絲剝繭的能耐。但他有沒有他父親的膽識呢？最好是永遠都不需要知道。就算是他裡面最好的傢伙都無法預測未來；預測幣值變動除外，因為那是他們動了手腳的關係。那是違法的，他可能因此被起訴，但是，不會的，這是絕對不會發生的，對吧？ 好吧，你該去見瑞克．貝爾了。他跟傑瑞．蘭茲在這裡都是做分析工作的。 我以前見過他們嗎？ No.你父親也沒見過他們。這是情報圈裡的一個問題，在某些方面，它實在是變得他媽的太大了。人多嘴雜，許多組織時常是被它自己絆倒的。如果你有一百個最好的職業美式足球員同屬於一支球隊，這支球隊將會因為內部不合而把自己搞垮。每個人天生都擁有自我，就像那隻眾所周知走在滿是搖椅房間裡的長尾貓一樣。不過，沒有人反對得太厲害，因為政府本來就不應該很有效率地運作，如果政府真的那麼有效率，反而會嚇到人們。這也就是我們在這裡的原因。去吧，傑瑞的辦公室在走道最底端。 沙洛斯維？多米尼克問道，我還以為 從胡佛局長時代開始，調查局就在那裡設有安全屋（編註：保護重要證人之庇護所）。從技術層面來說，它並不屬於聯邦調查局，那就是我們保存灰色檔案的地方。 oh!在訓練學院時他就曾經從一位資深教官那裡聽過這事。灰色檔案，外界甚至連聽都沒聽過這個名稱，本來應該是胡佛收藏政治人物檔案的地方，裡面包括了政治人物各式各樣的出軌行為，就像一般人收集郵票和錢幣一樣。當胡佛在一九七二年去世時，這些檔案本來應該隨之銷毀，但卻被祕密收藏到維吉尼亞州的沙洛斯維去，那是在山丘頂上一棟安全的大房子裡，這棟房子隔著一個平緩谷地與湯姆．傑弗遜的蒙提瑟洛舊莊園遙遙相望，俯瞰著維吉尼亞大學。這棟舊殖民時代的房子原本就有一個很大的地下酒窘，幾十年來收藏著一些比酒更加珍貴的東西。那是調查局最不為人知的祕密，知道這祕密的人用一隻手就能算得出來，這些人不見得包括聯邦調查局的現任局長，反而是由幾個最獲信任的老資格幹員來掌控。這些檔案從來就沒有公開過，就算要公開也不會是那些與政治有關的檔案。舉例來說，杜魯門當政時期的某個年輕參議員，不會想讓他對未成年女性的特殊癖好被公諸於世，雖然對鼓吹墮胎不遺餘力的他早就死了，但是人們普遍相信，這些檔案仍在。對這些檔案的恐懼，解釋了為什麼國會極少對聯邦調查局的預算撥款展開攻擊。一個很好的檔案學家如果擁有電腦般的記憶，也許就能夠從調查局大量檔案的蛛絲馬跡中推斷出這些檔案的存在，但大概只有超人才有辦法完成這樣的工作。此外，或許還有些更有意思的東西藏在儲存於西維吉尼亞洲舊煤礦礦坑的白色檔案裡，等著人們去把它找出來；某位歷史學家搞不好會這樣子認為。 我們準備把你從調查局調離。韋納接著說。 What?多米尼克問，為什麼？這個驚人的宣布差一點讓他從椅子上跳了起來。 多米尼克，有一個特殊單位想要找你談一下，將來你的工作就曾在那裡，他們會告訴你有關新工作的事。記好，我剛剛說的是調離不是去職。你的薪水會繼續支付，你的名字也會繼續留在特別幹員的名冊裡，只不過是被派去執行一項特殊反恐調查任務，直接隸屬於我的辦公室。你將會繼續獲得正常升遷與加薪。這些訊息是機密，卡魯索幹員。韋納繼續說，除了我以外，你不能跟任何人討論這件事，這樣夠清楚嗎？ 是，長官，但我不敢說我完全明白。 你在接下來的過程當中會明白的。你會繼續去調查犯罪活動，可能還要對其採取行動。如果到後來你還是不喜歡新任務，可以告訴我，我們會重新指派你去一個新的外勤部門做些比較傳統的工作。但是，我再說一次，除了我以外，你不能跟任何人討論新職務。如果有人問起，你仍然是個聯邦調查局的特別幹員，但不能和任何人聊起工作內容。只要適切地執行你的工作，就不會暴露在任何敵對行動下。你會發現那裡的監督比你所習慣的還要鬆，但任何時候你都需要對某人負責。 長官，這樣仍然不是很清楚。特別幹員多米尼克說。 你將去從事一項對國家來說最重要的工作，主要是在反恐怖主義上面。這項工作會伴隨著些危險，因為恐怖分子的圈子不是那麼講理的。 所以說，這是項身分保密的工作囉？ 韋納點點頭說：完全正確。 它是從這裡獨立出來的？ 多少算吧。韋納點了點頭，迴避著問題。 我可以在我想離開時隨時離開？ That's right. 好，長官，我會去看看。那麼我現在該做什麼？ 韋納寫了張小便條紙，拿給面前的多米尼克，可到那個地址去，告訴他們你要見葛瑞。 now?sir. 除非你還有別的事要做。 As ordered, sir.多米尼克起身跟韋納握握手，轉身離開。至少這次開車到養馬聞名的維吉尼亞州去，應該會是段令人愉快的旅程。