Free Jack Ryan 12 - The Teeth of the Tiger by Tom Clancy Page A

true. But he can help us, he said, with the new European market. Mohammed tells me that his organization has a good base of operations in
    
    
     Greece
    
    
    , and with the demise of international borders in
    
     Europe
    
     that would be the most logical point of entry for our consignments. They will not charge us for their technical assistance. They say they wish to establish goodwill only.”
    “They must want our help very badly,” Ernesto observed.
    “They have their own considerable resources, as they have demonstrated, jefe. But they seem to need some expertise for smuggling weapons in addition to people. In any case, they ask little, and they offer much.”
    “And what they offer will make our business more convenient?” Ernesto wondered.
    “It will certainly make the Yanquis devote their resources to different tasks.”
    “It could create havoc in their country, but the political effects could be serious . . .”
    “Jefe, the pressure they put upon us now can scarcely get worse, can it?”
    “This new norteamericano president is a fool, but dangerous even so.”
    “And so, we can have our new friends distract him, jefe,” Pablo pointed out. “We will not even use any of our assets to do so. We have little risk, and the potential reward is large, isn't it?”
    “I see that, but, Pablo, if it is traced to us, the cost could be serious.”
    “That's true, but again, how much additional pressure can they put on us?” Pablo asked. “They're attacking our political allies through the Bogotá government, and if they succeed in producing the effect they desire then the harm to us will be very serious indeed. You and the other members of the Council might become fugitives in our own land,” the Cartel's intelligence chief warned. He didn't have to add that such an eventuality would take much of the fun out of the immense riches the Council members enjoyed. Money has little utility without a comfortable place to spend it. “There is an adage in that part of the world: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Jefe, if there is a major downside to this proposal venture, I do not see it.”
    “You think I should meet with this man, then?”
    “Sí, Ernesto. There should be no harm. He is more wanted by the gringos than we are. If we fear betrayal, then he should fear it even more so, shouldn't he? And in any case, we will take proper precautions.”
    “Very well, Pablo. I will discuss this with the Council with a recommendation that we hear him out,” Ernesto conceded. “How difficult would it be to set up?”
    “I would expect him to fly through
    
    
     Buenos Aires
    
    
    . Surely he knows how to travel safely. He probably has more false passports than we do, and he truly does not look conspicuously Arabian.”
    “His language skills?”
    “Adequate,” Pablo answered. “Speaks English like an Englishman, and that is a passport all its own.”
    “Through
    
    
     Greece
    
    
    , eh? Our product?”
    “His organization has used
    
    
     Greece
    
    
     as a sally port for many years. Jefe, it's easier to smuggle our product than a group of men, and so on first inspection their methods and assets seem to be adaptable to our purposes. Our own people will have to examine them, of course.”
    “Any idea what his plans for
    
     North America
    
     might be?”
    “I did not ask, jefe. It does not really concern us.”
    “Except insofar as it tightens border security. That could be an inconvenience”—Ernesto held up his hand—"I know, Pablo, not a serious one.
    “As long as they help us out, I don't care what they want to do to
    
    
     America
    
    
    .”
     

Jack Ryan 12 - The Teeth of the Tiger

CHAPTER 3
     
    GRAY FILES
     
    ONE OF
    
    
     Hendley's advantages was that most of his assets worked elsewhere. They didn't have to be paid, housed, or fed. The taxpayers paid all of the overhead without knowing it, and, indeed, the “overhead” itself didn't know exactly what it was. Recent evolution in the world of