Free Executive Power by Vince Flynn Page A

forward, almost coming out of his chair entirely and looked angrily at Jones.
    "They wouldn't have to, because we'd never allow a group of terrorists to kidnap foreign citizens in the United States. We'd go kick the door down and solve the problem before you even had enough time to collect polling data."
    Jones stood and crossed her arms defiantly.
    "Mr. Rapp, we're all aware that you are predisposed to using violence to solve a problem, but I would like to ask you where that has gotten us?" Not giving him a chance to reply she continued, "Our list of allies is shrinking. These little operations that you are so fond of have alienated some of our strongest supporters. The Filipinos are going to make some serious hay out of this, our own State Department is going to be livid -with us for spying on them, and not letting them do their jobs, and before this is over"-she angrily pointed at Rapp-"you mark my words, there will be a congressional investigation into whose bonehead idea this whole thing was."
    The blood rushed to Rapp's face, though he was too tan for it to be apparent to the others in the room. He stood to face Jones eye to eye. It took all his self-control to speak somewhat evenly.
    "Valerie, you have great political instincts, but you are an absolute moron when it comes to issues of national security. Your ideas are dangerous, your logic is flawed and nothing I've heard you say here today is based on sound moral judgment."
    "Moral judgment?" she asked snidely.
    "You're going to lecture me on morality?"
    The implication was clear. Rapp was a killer and thus should forfeit his right to judge. He ignored her condescension and said, "Here are the facts' Valerie. A family of American citizens was on vacation and were kidnapped by a well-known terrorist group that is a self-admitted sworn enemy of the United States. We now know that the Philippine general in charge of freeing those hostages is taking bribes from the terrorists who hold them. We know that a decision was made to use U.S. Special Forces to free the hostages. That decision was completely legal and made by none other than the commander in chief." Rapp pointed at the President.
    "Part of those operational orders were that neither our embassy in the Philippines nor the Philippine government were to be informed of the rescue operation. Two senior State Department officials willingly disregarded those orders and as a direct result a platoon of SEALs was ambushed on a beach two nights ago."
    With her arms folded defiantly across her chest, Jones asked, "Are you done?"
    Rapp strained to keep from reaching out and slapping her. With a clenched jaw he replied, "No. This morning while you were yapping on your cell phone and picking up your triple mocha frappuccino, or whatever the hell it is that you drink, a cargo plane landed out in San Diego. Do you know what it was carrying?"
    Jones glared at Rapp with unvarnished hatred. No one, not even the President, had ever spoken to her this way.
    "No."
    "Two flag-draped caskets. Valerie. Rapp help up his fingers.
    "There were little kids, wives, and some grandparents there to meet those caskets.
    Their lives are turned upside down. The men they loved, the men they adored, the men they idolized are gone forever. They are feeling pain right now that you can't even begin to understand, and all because a couple of self-important bureaucrats over at the State Department couldn't keep their damn mouths shut!" Rapp's eyes were filled with rage.
    "If I had it my way' Valerie I'd march Ambassador Cox and Assistant Secretary Petry out in front of a firing squad and have them shot."
    Jones flapped her arms and roared, "I can't believe I'm hearing this." She looked around for someone to second her opinion, but no one backed her up. Dumbfounded, she looked back at Rapp and said, "I think you've lost it."
    "I lost it a long time ago' Valerie and I could give a rat's ass what you think of me. I've been on that beach thousands of miles away.