Dragon's Den. Don Pendleton

security has been compromised. In those cases the lives of our people can become forfeit, and I won’t allow that to happen. We’ve had our operations compromised before and it resulted in terrible, terrible losses. I won’t let it happen again if it’s at all in my power.”

      “But why?” Price asked. For the first time she could remember in a very long time, she felt helpless. “We haven’t given him any reason to disband Stony Man.”

      “He’s the President. He doesn’t need one.”

      Price swallowed hard. “This doesn’t make any sense, Hal.”

      “None of it makes sense,” Brognola replied. “For now, I want you to keep this quiet. Nobody’s to know we had this conversation, including Striker. At least not until I’ve had some time to think about it. Is that clear?”

      “It’s clear.” Price stood once more. “I’d better get to work. We need to put together some additional intelligence. We should be hearing from Striker soon.”

      She started to turn, then thought better of it, stopped and put her hand gently on Brognola’s forearm. “This will all turn out okay, Hal. Trust me.”

       6

      “This isn’t going to work,” Rhonda Amherst told the Executioner.