Read Online Blowback by Valerie Plame - Free Book Online

(valid on the security point).
    A striking, dark-eyed woman sat to Chris’s right. Vanessa recognized her as an analyst/targeteer in WINPAC, in the DI, the Directorate of Intelligence.
    â€œYou two know each other?” Chris asked, gazing over his silver-framed glasses. “Vanessa, Layla—we’ve enticed Layla to make a move to CPD.”
    Vanessa remembered; Iranian American, smart, a hotshot, and on a steep upward professional trajectory the opposite of Vanessa’s current free fall. CPD had no doubt poached her from the DI.
    â€œWelcome, Layla,” Vanessa said, as she opened her notebook.
    â€œThanks, Vanessa,” Layla said, neatly. “Following up on your summary cable, and the intel from XYTree/213, I was just beginning to update everyone on Baluchestan Province.” She clicked a laptop key, and Vanessa realized the Iran analyst had already begun a PowerPoint presentation. A series of satellite images filled a large, wall-mounted flat-screen monitor, one of three. As far as Vanessa could decipher, the images depicted open, desolate land crisscrossed by barely visible trails.
    Allen Jeffreys cupped his palm over the phone long enough to say, “I remember talk a few months ago about a ‘road to nowhere’ near the border close to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Could that be the secret site we’re trying to pinpoint?”
    Another click and the images shifted—doubling, then quadrupling.
    â€œWe are always tracking anything that might indicate traffic in unusual, remote locations,” Layla said, her voice clear and distinct. “But, unfortunately, there are many, many possibilities in Baluchestan—as you can see.”
    Using the track pad, Layla changed the scene yet again, this time pulling back from the images, a vertigo sensation, as the world opened up to reveal the breathtaking scale of Iran’s no-man’s-land.
    There was an audible intake of breath in the room. Even though they were all familiar with Iran’s geography, the visual was undeniably effective.
    It was Harris who asked the question on everyone’s mind: “How the hell will we find it?”
    â€œWe won’t,” Vanessa answered. “Not without the geo-markers.”
    The door to the DDO’s office opened, and Hildy B. stuck her head inside. “We’ve got a link with the UK.”
    And just then a second flat-screen flickered. A larger-than-life-sized image of a woman filled the screen, her mouth moving, and, after a few moments, her voice became audible. “Hello, Phillip.”
    The DDO smiled. “Alexandra, glad you could join us.”
    Alexandra Hall, officially known as C, Director of Britain’s MI5. A woman with a reputation as brilliant, ruthless, politically powerful, and lethal to terrorists. Vanessa and Hall had crossed paths briefly about a year earlier when Vanessa helped bring down two specialists in Bhoot’s black-market procurement network.
    This had turned into a morning filled with surprises.
    Vanessa was struck again by the fact that public images failed to capture Hall’s intensity. She studied her now, seeing a woman in her early fifties, still strikingly attractive, even dressed as she was, in a plain gray jacket, no jewelry, and without any visible makeup. But what struck Vanessa most acutely was Hall’s piercingly intelligent gaze.
    Allen Jeffreys spoke up now, his tone quite cool. “Madame Director.”
    â€œMr. Jeffreys.”
    â€œCongratulations on your latest legislative victory. I would love to move a similar bill through our own congress, widening our powers to examine financial data—”
    â€œWe’re not there yet,” Hall replied tersely. “Just one step closer.”
    Addressing Hall, the DDO said, “Shall I introduce you around—”
    â€œNot necessary.” Without masking her impatience, Hall shook her head. “We’ve been getting your PowerPoint, and