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"All the facts aren't in yet," Merger argued

"Just what do we know?" demanded the President

"Our experts are already in Punta del Este working with the Uruguayan security people," explained Brogan "So far, we only have preli has been tied to an Arab group Titnesses ca launch when they saw the Lady Flae They heard crewe has not been found and is assumed to be scuttled somewhere in the harbor"

"any idea on the cargo?" asked Merger

"All the witnesses could recall seeing were soiven to the Harbor Master's office froenerator had broken down, and the vessel would only run navigation lights until repairs were carried out

Then, as soon as it became dark, the unlit ship pulled up its anchor and slipped out of the harbor, colliding with a private yacht carrying important South American businessmen and diplomats The only fumble in an otherwise flawless execution Then it disappeared"

"Hardly a slop job," said Merger, "unlike the botched second assassination attempt on Hala Kaniil"

"A different group entirely," Brogan added

Dale Nichols spoke up for the first ti "Which you linked directly to Akhmad Yazid"

"Yes, the assassins were not very careful Egyptian passports were found on tke bodies One, the leader, we identified as a mullah and fanatical follower of Yazid"

"Do you think Yazid's responsible for the hijacking?"

"He certainly had the an "With President Hasan out of the way, he has a clear shot at taking over the Egyptian government"

"The saoes for President De Lorenzo, Topiltzin and Mexico," Nichols stated flatly

"An interesting theory," said Merger

"What can we do besides send a few CIA terrorist investigators to Uruguay?" asked the President "What are our options in helping with the search for the Lady Flah?"