Alexandria Link Read Online Free PDF Page A

so I’ll get answers.”
    “How did anyone even know about the link? That whole thing was classified at levels way above you. That was the deal.”
    “An excellent question.”
    “And you still haven’t said why you didn’t tell me about the breach.”
    “No, Cotton. I haven’t.”
    “The thought that I was the only person on earth who knows about that link didn’t occur to you? You couldn’t connect the dots?”
    “How could I have anticipated all this?”
    “Because you have twenty years of experience. Because you’re not a dumb-ass. Because we’re friends. Because—” His worry was spilling out in a stream. “Your stupidity may cost my son his life.”
    He saw how his words had jarred Pam, and he hoped she didn’t explode.
    “I realize that, Cotton.”
    He wasn’t going to cut her any slack. “Gee, I feel better now.”
    “I’m going to deal with this here. But I can offer you something. I have an agent in Sweden who can be in Denmark by midmorning. He’ll tell you everything.”
    “Where and when.”
    “He suggested Kronborg Slot. Eleven AM.”
    He knew the place. Not far away, perched on a spit of bare land overlooking the Øresund. Shakespeare had immortalized the monstrous fortress when he set Hamlet there. Now it was the most popular tourist attraction in Scandinavia.
    “He suggested the ballroom. I assume you know where all that is?”
    “I’ll be there.”
    “Cotton. I’m going to do all I can to help.”
    “Which is the least you can do, considering.”
    And he hung up.

Malone 2 - Alexandria Link

SEVEN
    WASHINGTON, DC
    TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4
    4:00 AM
    STEPHANIE ENTERED THE HOME OF O. BRENT GREEN, THE ATTORNEY general of the United States. A car had just delivered her to Georgetown. She’d telephoned Green before midnight and asked for the face-to-face, briefly telling him what had happened. He’d wanted a little time to investigate, which she’d had no choice but to accept.
    Green waited in his study.
    He’d served the president for the entire first term and had been one of only a handful of cabinet members who’d agreed to stay for the second. He was a popular advocate of Christian and conservative causes—a New England bachelor with not a hint of scandal attached to his name, who even at this early hour projected a serious vigor. His hair and goatee were precisely groomed and smoothly combed, his spare frame sheathed in a trademark pin-striped suit. He’d served six terms in Congress and was the governor of Vermont when tapped by the president for the Justice Department. His frank words and direct approach made him popular with both sides of the political aisle, but his distant personality seemed to prevent him from rising any higher nationally than attorney general.
    She’d never been inside Green’s house and had expected a sullen, unimaginative look, something akin to the man himself. But instead the rooms were warm and homey—lots of sienna, taupe, pale greens, and shades of maroon and orange—a Hemingway effect, as one furniture chain in Atlanta advertised similar ensembles.
    “This matter is unusual, even for you, Stephanie,” Green said as he greeted her. “Anything further from Malone?”
    “He was resting before heading to Kronborg. With the time difference, he should be on his way there now.”
    He offered her a seat. “This problem seems to be escalating.”
    “Brent, we’ve had this talk before. Somebody high on the food chain accessed the secured database. We know files on the Alexandria Link were copied.”
    “The FBI is investigating.”
    “That’s a joke. The director is so far up the president’s ass, there’s no danger of anyone at the White House being implicated.”
    “Colorful, as always, but accurate. Unfortunately it’s the only procedure available to us.”
    “We could look into it.”
    “That would bring nothing but trouble.”
    “Which I’m accustomed to.”
    Green smiled. “That you are.” He paused. “I’m wondering, how