Part 36 (1/2)
Now what the h.e.l.l does she want?
”Yes, Sylvia?”
”Actually, this is Juan Silvio.”
”Good morning, sir.”
”Before I get into this, I presume Ms. Grunblatt did get in touch with you?”
”Yes, sir. I just got off the line with her.”
”I guess she told you there's been a leak?”
”Yes, sir.”
”I'm sorry. I'd really like to know who did it.”
”So would I.”
”Did Sylvia also tell you the Argentine government wants to honor Mr. Masterson both by having him lie in state in the cathedral, and by posthumously decorating him with the Grand Cross of the Great Liberator?”
”Yes, sir.”
”I didn't think I had the right to agree to either without talking to both you and Mrs. Masterson. And I think we should talk this over before I broach the subject to her.”
”Sir, I was just about to go to the hospital. I want to introduce Special Agent Schneider to Mrs. Masterson. She's the female agent I asked be sent down here. And I have Colonel Torine, who flew the C-17 down here, with me. I thought he might be able to rea.s.sure Mrs. Masterson about the travel arrangements. Which brings up something else, sir. Colonel Torine informed me the President wants to inter Mr. Masterson at Arlington, and-”
”All of which suggests that we should talk, and not on the telephone, as soon as possible.”
”I'm at your disposal, sir.”
”Since we both are going to the hospital, why not there? I'm sure we could find someplace there to talk.”
”You tell me when and where, sir.”
”The hospital in thirty, thirty-five minutes. Can you do that?”
”I'll see you there, sir.”
”Thank you.”
Castillo broke the connection, looked at the cellular for a moment, and then pushed an autodial b.u.t.ton.
”Si?”
”Alfredo?
”Si.”
”Karl, Alfredo. I need a service.”
”Whatever I can do, Karl.”
”I'm on my way to the German Hospital. Someone at the American emba.s.sy not only got the crazy idea that there is some sort of White House agent down here, and that I am that agent, but he told the press.”
”Herr Gossinger, you mean?”
”Probably Castillo. Anyway, I understand that the press is all over the hospital . . .”
”Then, my friend, I suggest you stay away from the hospital.”
”I have to see Mrs. Masterson; and the amba.s.sador's going to meet me there.”
There was just a moment's hesitation.
”You're at the Four Seasons, right?”
”Yes.”
”You have an emba.s.sy car?”
”Right.”
”I have a car in the bas.e.m.e.nt garage.”
”The emba.s.sy car is there.”
”Very well. Go to the bas.e.m.e.nt and get in your car. My man will make himself known to you. Follow him to the hospital. I will arrange for you to enter via their service bas.e.m.e.nt.”
”Thank you.”
”When you finish your business with Mrs. Masterson-I presume you heard about the lying in state and the decoration?”
”I'm not sure Mrs. Masterson wants to go along with that. That's one of the reasons I have to see her.”
”May I ask the others?”
”I want to introduce her to the female agent I had sent from Was.h.i.+ngton, and I want to confirm her travel plans. And if you're going to be there, I want to introduce the other Secret Service agent to you.”
”I'll see you here shortly, then.”
”You're at the hospital?”
”I thought your security man would like to hear our security plans for the Catedral Metropolitana.”
”And so would I. I'd also like a look at the place.”
”I'll see you here, then, shortly.”
Was that tone of voice a ”yeah, sure”? Or an ”I don't know about that”?