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The Secret Service agent said, “Things have changed in the last fifteen years We’ve got es than you can ins and right here at home Just the nature of the beast”
Out of Chapman’s earshot he added, “Look, you need to understand that people know John Carr is back”
“I’m aware of that”
“You have a lot of secrets, Oliver Too many for some”
“Yes, that had occurred to me too”
“You don’t need to do this”
“Yes, actually I do”
“
Why?” demanded Alex
“For a number of reasons”
Looking highly disgruntled, Alex said nothing
Stone said, “After we finish here we’re going back over to the park Can you come with us?”
Alex shook his head “I’m on protection duty here And like I told you before, I’ation They’ve built a Chinese wall around this sucker for obvious reasons”
Stone studied him “Because someone believes there’s a mole in the Service?”
The other man looked uncomfortable about this observation but nodded “I think it’s a load of crap, but you have to cover all the bases”
In another rooot her beloved gun back and they left the White House She and Stone headed to the park
“Pretty nice to have the president of the only re superpower on your side”
“Maybe”
“A to hear the full story on that?”
“No, you’re not”
CHAPTER 16
STONE AND CHAPMAN flashed their badges and passed through the gauntlet of security at the park
“What first?” she asked
Stone pointed to a ht to the top”
They again showed their IDs When the ency he motioned the pair over to a clear space
“Toent Out of WFO’s Domestic Counterterrorism Unit” Gross was in his late forties, a bit shorter than Stone, stockier, with thinning dark hair and a serious expression that had probably been per the Counterterrorism Unit
Stone began, “We’re here because—”
Gross interrupted “I got a phone call You can expect the Bureau’s full cooperation” He looked at Chaplad your prime minister was unhurt”
“Thanks,” replied Chapman
Stone asked, “Has any group claimed responsibility?”
“Not yet”
Gross led thein of the explosion while Stone explained that he had been at the park last night The s where evidence had been found had increased greatly in number while they had been across the street
Gross said, “The h we’ve kept them well back from the cri within a full-block radius with the park as the center Lot of pissed-off people”
“I’m sure,” said Stone
“The director has held a press conference in which he said very little, because we don’t know very h the MR Office,” he added, referring to the assistant director in charge and the FBI’s Media Relations Office “We’re taking the lead over ATF, but they’re handling the heavy work on the bomb piece”
Stone eyed Gross “So you’ve concluded it’s international terrorism as opposed to domestic?”