months. But at least Fletcher was on his side.
“Orders have already been transmitted for MEU-6 to join CBG-14 again,”
Grimes continued. “They were in Singapore on maneuvers, but they’re on
their way to your position now. Should arrive sometime day after
tomorrow, and they’ll be in air transport range within eighteen hours.”
Magruder pursed his lips. This was being taken seriously indeed in
Washington if they were sending in the Marines again. Marine
Expeditionary Unit 6, consisting of four ships and almost two thousand
Marines, had also been at Wonsan, securing a beachhead to facilitate the
evacuation of rescued American seamen. Their primary mission in Bangkok
would be to safeguard American lives and property.
“Okay, Admiral,” Magruder said after a moment. “What about threats to
our people?”
“The people lost near U Feng?”
“Yes, sir. And our AWOLs.”
“You still think that incident might be more than it seems?”
“it is a distinct possibility, sir. No hard evidence … but it’s very
suspicious. And it all ties in with what you were just saying … with
the possibility that someone might be trying to discredit us. What
better way than to hit us, hard and unexpectedly?”
“A terrorist attack?”
“Possibly. I’m more concerned about further attacks on our personnel
ashore. It’s going to be morning before they’re all back on board.”
“Do you have any suggestions?”
“There’s not a hell of a lot we can do, Admiral. Not until we know what
they’re going to do. I’ve briefed my officers. We’ve set readiness
condition X-ray Three. We’re cancelling further liberty as our people
come back aboard tonight. More than that we can’t do until we see a
definite threat, something we can respond to.”
“Understood.” There was a long hesitation on the line, as though Grimes
was turning possibilities over in his mind. “I’ll tell you, Tom. I
think our problem is a mole.”
“A spy, sir?”
“Someone in the works, gumming them up. Probably in the Bangkok
bureaucracy. I’ll pass a request on to the DCI to see what can be done.
In the meantime, continue as you have been. But be prepared to use your
own initiative to render all possible assistance to the legitimate That
government.”
“Does that include sending in the Marines, sir?”
“it means doing whatever you feel is justified to preserve American
lives and property, to protect your command … and to support our
allies in Southeast Asia. I can’t be much more specific than that.”
“That’s specific enough, Admiral.” Magruder was already thinking about
the possibilities. The Marines from MEU-6 would not be available until
midday tomorrow, but he had ninety Marines on board the Jefferson. A
platoon could be heloed in to the American embassy in Bangkok in order
to reinforce security there … and possibly to provide a ready mobile
force should the three missing seamen be discovered.
Something big was happening in the city, and Admiral Magruder wanted to
be ready for it, whatever it was.
He only hoped he wasn’t already too late.
2045 hours, 18 January
Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok
Pamela had been surprised by Tombstone’s phone call, but she’d told him
to come straight up. She’d been able to sense the strain underlying his
words and knew something was wrong.
Since their time together at the Thonburi klong, she’d been forced to
admit to herself that she felt much more for Matthew Magruder than could
be explained by professional interest. It wasn’t love–she wasn’t ready
to go that far–but they were certainly friends, and friendship was
something which Pamela Drake took very seriously indeed.
“Matt, it’s good to see you,” she said as she opened the door. “Come
in.”
He entered, wearing civilian clothes and an expression which could have
been hiding almost anything. “Hello, Pam. Sorry to catch you by
surprise.
Did I interrupt something?”
“Not at all.”
“Are you … I mean, are the guys in your crew here?”
“We are quite alone, Matt! I was going over some script revisions, is
all. Can I get you something to drink?” The hotel suite had a small
bar and a refrigerator.
“No, thanks.”
“Have you eaten? I could call room service.”
“Pamela, I’ve got to talk to you.” It sounded as though he’d been