CHAPTER 28
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THURSDAY MORNING
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THE OLD MAN'S HOUSE
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I stayed overnight at the Old Man's house, and we talked long into the night about ideas, strategies, problems, and solutions.? Neither of us knew what form the threat would take, or what exactly the terrorists had in mind, so we could only conceptualize defensive strategies.
"If they have a man or maybe two on the inside, especially if it's a security person, maybe we should have someone of our own inside."
The Old Man smiled and nodded.? "I agree. ?But we have to assume they've got eyes on the inside and would see you coming a mile away.? They'll be prepared for that."?
I let the beginnings of a grin cross my own face.
"Let me guess-this has something to do with information you left out of your report.? I assume you looked at potential ways into the plant from the outside and haven't told anyone of the really ridiculous ways in?"
"You've got that right.? I noted all of them in my report, except one.? It was just too crazy to consider and too hard to breach the plant that way, so I left it out."
"Well if it's that crazy, then nobody else will be looking for it either.? Lay it out for me."
I explained my idea for getting into the plant, after which the Old Man immediately said,? "Can't be done.? Not to mention, it's too dangerous to even try.? It's certainly never been done before.? There'd be no reason for anyone to have tried it."? He paused for a minute, looking down, just shaking his head slowly from side to side.? Then he looked up at me and said, "And for that very reason, it's probably the only thing that'll work."?
"That was my thinking.? I'm counting on them not anticipating it."
The Old Man gave me a piercing look and said, "Well, you don't have to worry about that.? But if this is going to work, you're going to need some help.? You're going to need someone along who knows the plant and the details of the systems you're planning to bypass."
I knew what was coming.? "No!? Absolutely not!? You're too old for this shit.? You're retired for God's sake!? Besides, it's not your problem."? I got up from my chair in the kitchen and walked into the family room.? I knew the Old Man had the skill and knowledge I needed.? That's why I was here talking with him. ?But taking him with me was out of the question. ?I couldn't-wouldn't-risk it.?
Looking at him, I knew that the Old Man's age and demeanor belied his actual ability.? He was an instructor in Shotokan karate and trained regularly, so he was in pretty good shape-for a man his age.? But I didn't want to put him, or this mission, in jeopardy. ?And having him come along would add a number of variables to the equation.?
The Old Man followed me into the family room.? "You know the feds are only going to muck up the works.? They have their protocols to adhere to and will be coming through the front door soon."
I sat down heavily in a large, overstuffed leather chair.? If you let them, these chairs would suck the life force right out of you, they were that comfortable.? Perhaps that's what softened me up a bit.
"That may be, but I can't take you along and be responsible for what might happen to you."?
The Old Man sat down on the couch and leaned back.? He had a peaceful look on his face.?
"Look," he said calmly.? "We can play this little game for a while, but quite honestly we don't have the time.? You know it and I know it.? You need to get back to the plant.? You, more than most, know how serious this is or can be.? We have solid intel and now we have a plan. ?We just need to find two guys who are aggressive enough to do this."
I just sat there listening.? Damn it!? He could tell I was having the argument in my head.? "You mean stupid enough to do it, don't you?"
He decided to truncate the discussion.? "So how long are you going to take before you tell me what we both know you've already decided to do?"
I looked at Blackie and sighed.? I knew the Old Man was right.? He could help me; and with him along, the odds of success would go up.? It was risky, but I didn't have a lot of options.? I didn't have enough knowledge of the plant to make this work on my own.?
"You know there is a fine line between aggressive and stupid.? And I think your idea to come along has crossed that line," I finally said.
I watched as the Old Man looked around the empty house.? I could almost feel his heartache.? He missed his wife.? If she were here now, I was sure he wouldn't be volunteering for this.? He knew the risks, but I knew he wanted to protect what little he had left.
"So what's it going to be?" he asked.
I looked him in the eye and gave him the slightest nod.? He didn't smile but had the look of a man with grim determination.? I took comfort in that, at least.? This wasn't going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination, so having someone along beside me who had some confidence in the plan struck me as a good idea.? Or at least that's what I told myself.?
"I've got to get some shut-eye.? I assume I can use one of the spare rooms?"
"You know where they all are.? Help yourself."
I trudged off to find a bedroom, weighed down by the decision I'd just made. ?I didn't want to bring the Old Man along. It was just simply a bad idea on a number of levels, but what choice did I have?? It was a Hobson's choice.? It was just after midnight and I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
The next morning, after a good, although brief night's sleep, I stood on the porch as the sun began its climb over the hills to the east.? I rubbed Blackie's ears and shook the Old Man's hand good-bye.?
As I headed over to my truck, I called back, "Get up there as soon as you can.? Call me when you get close.? You have my number."?
"Let me find someone to watch Blackie, and I'll get on the road.? I'll meet you as arranged."?
With that, I climbed into my truck.? The Old Man was standing on the porch holding a steaming cup of coffee, with Blackie at his side.? He was looking at me with enough resolve to give me confidence in my decision to bring him along.? The decision had been made and I needed to move on from it.? I put the truck in gear and pulled away.?
I loved the early morning.? Cool and clear, it represented a promise of better things to come.? I'd always been a morning person.? As tired as I was, I always felt better in the morning than in the evening.? I drove off the Old Man's ranch with a lot on my mind.? A glance in the rearview mirror showed him standing on the porch watching me drive away.? Blackie was sitting alongside his master, with a stoic look on his face, no doubt wondering where I was going without him and when I might be coming back-a good question.? Something about the scene was a bit melancholy, but it was morning, after all, so I turned on the radio and headed north through the hay fields and oak-studded hills.