“She’s smart enough; I think it will depend on whether that’s what she wants. She seems happiest in the field right now.”
“What about you, Lance? Do you think you’d make a good deputy director for operations?”
Lance hadn’t expected that, but he didn’t hesitate. “I believe I would, Kate.”
“Certainly, everything in your career points to that; you’ve done very well.”
“Thank you, Kate.”
“There’s an attitude among the older hands here that makes them suspicious of younger men who seem to want things a little too much. It’s almost British; the Brits don’t like naked ambition.”
“I’ve tried to keep my ambition very well clothed,” Lance replied.
Kate laughed aloud. “Yes, well, there is that.” She rearranged herself in her chair. “During the next four years-assuming my husband is reelected-I want to replace retiring senior people with very high quality younger people who will set the tone at the Agency for years, perhaps decades to come.”
“I’ve no doubt that he will be reelected, and I think there’s ample talent here for you to do that.”
“I must tell you that Dick Stone’s murder knocked a big hole in my plans. I thought he had it in him to be the best DDO in the history of the Agency, and that, after some time had passed, he might replace me when I go.”
“I’m in complete agreement on Dick’s brilliance; I worked for him for seven years, and I saw it at first hand. I learned a lot from him.”
“I believe you did, Lance, and that’s one of the main reasons you’re under consideration for the job he never had a chance to fill.”
“Thank you, Kate.”
“I know it’s difficult working for Hugh English, but he was kind enough to postpone his retirement and keep doing the job until our vetting procedure is complete. Be nice to him, won’t you?”
Lance had always found Hugh English grating, but he had been smart enough to keep it to himself and not join in the chorus of complaints from the other, younger men in his former station. “Of course; he’s a good man.”
“Lance, are you going to leave in a huff if you don’t get the job? Go out and make some money as a consultant for the networks and the oil companies?”
Lance was considering doing just that, if he didn’t get the job. He took a deep breath. “No,” he said. “I’m a career officer; I’m here for the long haul.”
“Good,” Kate said, getting to her feet. “Thank you, Lance; keep me posted on progress in St. Marks.”
“Certainly, Kate,” Lance said. He returned to his office more slowly than he had come. Could Lee really be considering him, or was that just a ruse to keep him pumped on the business in St. Marks?
The balance could tip either way, he thought. He’d have to do something to get a thumb on the scale.
13
Teddy Fay’s cell phone vibrated against his ribcage. “Yes?”
“Mr. Elliot?”
“Yes.”
“This is Tito, the maintenance manager at Nevis Aero Services.”
“Yes, Tito?”
“We’re just about done with the annual on your airplane. You need a new set of spark plugs-I’d suggest the platinum ones-and your starboard main gear tire is pretty close to needing replacing.”
“The platinum plugs are fine, and go ahead and replace the tire. Do you have a replacement from the same manufacturer of the other two?”
“Yes, sir; they’re Goodyears, and we stock those. Will you be picking up the airplane when we’re done? It should be ready tomorrow.”
“What’s t