Sidney Sheldon - The Doomsday Conspiracy

Whenever Robert came home, he and Susan would run hungrily into each other’s arms and make passionate love. But those times began to be further and further apart. It seemed to Susan that no sooner did Robert return from one assignment, than he was sent away on another.

To make matters worse, Robert could not discuss his work with her. Susan had no idea where he went or what he was doing. She knew only that whatever he was involved in was dangerous, and she was terrified that one day he would leave and never return. She dared not ask him questions. She felt like a stranger, completely shut out of an important part of his life. Of their life. I can’t go on like this, Susan decided.

When Robert returned from a four-week assignment in Central America, Susan said, “Robert, I think we had better have a talk.”

“What’s the problem?” Robert asked. He knew what the problem was.

“I’m frightened. We’re slipping away from each other, and I don’t want to lose us. I couldn’t stand it.”

“Susan …”

“Wait. Let me finish. Do you know how much time we’ve spent together in the last four months? Less than two weeks. Whenever you come home I feel as though you’re a visitor, instead of my husband.”

He took Susan in his arms and held her tightly. “You know how much I love you.”

She laid her head on his shoulder. “Please don’t let anything happen to us.”

“I won’t,” he promised. “I’ll have a talk with Admiral Whittaker.”

“When?”

“Immediately.”

“The Admiral will see you now, Commander.”

“Thank you.”

Admiral Whittaker was seated behind his desk, signing papers. He looked up as Robert entered and smiled. “Welcome home, Robert, and congratulations. That was an excellent job in El Salvador.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Sit down. Can I offer you some coffee?”

“No, thank you, Admiral.”

“You wanted to talk to me? My secretary said it was urgent. What can I do for you?”

It was difficult to begin. “Well, sir, this is personal. I’ve been married less than two years, and …”

“You made a wonderful choice, Robert. Susan’s a fine woman.”

“Yes, I agree. The problem is that I’m away most of the time, and she’s unhappy about it.” He added quickly, “And she has every right to be. It isn’t a normal situation.”

Admiral Whittaker leaned back in his chair and said, thoughtfully, “Of course, what you’re doing isn’t a normal situation. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made.”

“I know,” Robert said stubbornly, “but I’m not prepared to sacrifice my marriage. It means too much to me.”

The Admiral studied him reflectively. “I see. What is it you’re asking?”

“I was hoping that you could find some assignments for me where I’m not away from home so much. This is such a large operation, there must be a hundred things I could do closer to home.”

“Closer to home.”

“Yes.”

The Admiral said slowly, “You’ve certainly earned that. I don’t see why something like that can’t be arranged.”

Robert smiled in relief. “That’s very good of you, Admiral. I would certainly appreciate it.”

“Yes, I think we can definitely arrange that. Tell Susan for me that the problem is solved.”

Robert stood up, beaming. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

Admiral Whittaker waved a hand of dismissal. “You’re too valuable a piece of manpower for me to let anything happen to you. Now go home to your bride.”

When Robert told Susan the news, she was thrilled. She threw her arms around him. “Oh, darling, that’s wonderful.”

“I’m going to ask him for a couple of weeks off so we can take a trip somewhere. It will be a second honeymoon.”

“I’ve forgotten what a honeymoon is like,” Susan murmured. “Show me.”

Robert showed her.

Admiral Whittaker sent for Robert the following morning. “I just wanted you to know I’m making some arrangements about the matter we discussed yesterday.”

“Thank you, Admiral.” Now was the time to mention taking a leave. “Sir …”

Admiral Whittaker said, “Something has come up, Robert.” The Admiral began to pace. When he spoke, there was a note of deep concern in his voice. “I’ve just been informed that the CIA has been infiltrated. It seems that there has been a steady leak of Top Secret information. All they know about the spy is that his code name is ‘the Fox’. He’s in Argentina right now. They need someone outside the Agency to handle the operation. The Deputy Director of the CIA has asked for you. They would like you to track the man down and bring him back. I told them the decision is up to you. Do you want to undertake it?”

Robert hesitated. “I’m afraid I’ll have to pass on it, sir.”

“I respect your decision, Robert. You’ve been travelling constantly and have never turned down an assignment. I know it hasn’t been easy on your marriage.”

“I’d like to take on this job, sir. It’s just that …”

“You don’t have to say it, Robert. My opinion of your work and dedication will always remain the same. I just have one favour to ask of you.”

“What’s that, Admiral?”

“The Deputy Director of the CIA asked to meet with you, regardless of your decision. As a courtesy. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not, sir.”

Early the next morning Robert drove to Langley for his meeting.

“Sit down, Commander,” the Deputy Director said after Robert entered the large corner office. “I’ve heard a lot about you. All good things, of course.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The Deputy Director was a man in his early sixties, reed thin with fine white hair and a small brush moustache that moved up and down as he drew on his pipe. A Yale graduate, he had joined the OSS during World War II and then moved into the CIA when it was formed after the conflict. He rose steadily up the ranks of the most powerful intelligence agency in the world.

“I want you to know, Commander, that I respect your decision.”

“I appreciate that.”

“There is one fact, however, that I feel I should bring to your attention.”

“What’s that, sir?”

“The President is personally involved in the operation to unmask the Fox.”

“I didn’t know that, sir.”

“He regards it – as I do, too – as one of the most important assignments this agency has had since its inception. I know of your situation at home, and I’m sure the President is sympathetic, too. He’s a real family man. But your not taking on this assignment might throw – how should I say it – a cloud on ONI and Admiral Whittaker.”

“The Admiral had nothing to do with my decision, sir,” Robert said.

“I understand that, Commander, but will the President understand that?”

The honeymoon will have to be postponed, Robert thought.

When Robert broke the news to Susan, he said gently, “This is my last overseas assignment. After this I’ll be home so much you’ll get sick of me.”

She smiled up at him. “There isn’t that much time in the world. We’re going to be together forever.”

The chase after the Fox was the most frustrating thing Robert had ever experienced. He picked up his trail in Argentina, but missed his quarry by one day. The trail led to Tokyo and China and then Malaysia. Whoever the Fox was, he left just enough of a trail to lead to where he had been, but never to where he was.

The days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months, and always Robert was just behind the Fox. He called Susan almost every day. In the beginning, it was, “I’ll be home in a few days, darling.” And then, “I might be home next week.” And then, finally, “I’m not sure when I’ll be back.” In the end, Robert had to give up. He had been on the Fox’s trail for two and a half months, with no success.