Read Online Huston, James W. -2003- Secret Justice (com v4.0)(html) by Secret Justice (com v4.0) - Free Book Online Page A

spice in an otherwise delicious meal, but given everything else he liked about his temporary position at the CIA, it was worth it. Or at least so far.
    Rat headed to Jacobs’s office. As he walked across the large CTC area he was reminded of how different it was after years of being a naval officer and working with the SEALs. There was much more of a sense of working in an office, being a bureaucrat. That was part of what he was supposed to remedy in his time at the Agency. A large task, he noted. The Agency reduced everything to the lowest common denominator. The intelligence that got passed on, the analysis that made it into the reports, was the analysis they could get everyone to sign off on. The truly bold, insightful, or creative analysts were sandpapered down to commonality by those around them and especially those above them. Rat had seen enough intelligence reports to know they weren’t usually helpful. Not only were they watered down by analysts trying to please every boss, but they relied almost exclusively on satellite intelligence. They were excellent in saying that a certain number of tanks had moved from A to B, but virtually worthless in predicting what a person or regime might do with those tanks. It was the result of the American obsession with satellites and technology. Easy to raise a billion dollars for another satellite, but there was no money to raise the salaries of the analysts, who made less than plumbers.
    But Rat didn’t expect to solve any of that. He just kept it in mind. He had been brought to the Agency to put a little kick in their Special Forces. He had been doing just that. Don Jacobs appreciated the skill he had brought to the SAS, the Special Activities Staff, as it was euphemistically called.
    Rat reached Jacobs’s office and was surprised to find him there. The door was open. He knocked.
    Jacobs looked up. “Well, look what the cat drug in.” He smiled. He stood and shook Rat’s hand. “Good work. Brilliant, even. I’ll bet you were about to wet your pants to see who got to drop in on Duar.”
    Rat smiled. “You always wonder how big a hornet’s nest you’re jumping into. If he had thirty guys spread out, we’d have had our hands full. But it worked out.”
    “How long you been in town?”
    “Night before last.”
    Jacobs raised his eyebrows as he sat back down, wondering why Rat hadn’t checked in before now. “What’s her name?”
    “Andrea.”
    “Right. You told me about her before.”
    “Yes, sir. Former Blue Angels flight surgeon.”
    “Right. When do I get to meet her?”
    “Whenever you want. But I thought you liked being the mysterious boss who was heard about but never seen.”
    “Always like to meet the pretty women.”
    “Did I say she was pretty?”
    Jacobs smiled. He looked at Rat’s tan face and intense eyes. He was striking. Very unlikely he would date a homely woman. “I’ve read your draft report. Sounds like it went by the numbers. All because of your plan. I must say it was pretty ingenious. Good report too, by the way.”
    “Thanks.”
    Jacobs gave him a knowing look. “I’m going to put you in for some special recognition for this one. It was yours.”
    Rat looked away, embarrassed. “You don’t need to do anything—”
    “I want to.”
    “I was thinking of taking some leave.”
    “What for?”
    “Just some time off. Would that be a problem?”
    “We’ve been talking about that training that you were going to do.”
    Rat frowned.
    “Small-boat training. You’re the expert in maritime activities. Right?”
    “And?”
    “And you’re supposed to spread your wisdom to others. Teach them how to drive boats, go fast, I don’t know. All that boat shit.”
    “Right.”
    “Set for next week.”
    “Oh,” Rat said, disappointed.
    “Down at The Point.”
    “When?”
    “Monday. First thing.”
    Rat nodded unenthusiastically as he stood to leave Jacobs’s office.
    “One other thing,” Jacobs said. “That surgeon aboard